#Paganistic beliefs

[child-of-frigg]

Modern Magic: Maintenance of Nemetons and Natural Altars.

The careful maintenance of areas used for interacting with nature and the energies of the natural world, is equally important as to what offerings are made to the Gods and Goddesses of the forest and the earth. Maintaining these areas such as Nemetons, Moon Gardens, and Wind Gardens, is vital to not only the physical health of the area and the inhabitants, including you, but to also help the flow of natural energies and vibrations.

Firstly debris is moved to maintain a clean ritual area, free from ticks and other dangerous insects(wildlife). The debris is not to be removed from the area, but to be separated into piles and left to mulch, this mulch will be used in later seasons to decorate the grove. Pathways are to be cleared of debris as well, and if desired natural oils such as mint may be used to further deter pests.

The altar, and altar area, are to be kept tidy and decoration kept minimal as this area's energy will change with each ritual. The Nemeton itself, or the center of your personal grove, is to be decorated with ornaments created from natural materials, preferably from items found within the grove or crafted from local materials. This decor should welcome and honour the spirits of the grove, as well as any spirits or deities one wishes to invoke commonly; tree dresses and effigies are encouraged additions to decor as they convey respect.

Certain ritual items, specifically those of the grove, are to be kept within the grove close to the Nemeton to maintain energetic balance. These items may include natural incense, beeswax candles, small idols or stones, and twine or cord for binding/unbinding ceremonies.

Authors note: Incense sticks, cones, salt, and paraffin wax candles can be harmful to the environment and the ecosystem of the grove and are not to be stored within the area.

[kalpeavaris]

chat i am reaching a new level of brainrot where i'm now drawing my drone characters in religious attire corresponding to my own beliefs

like what the actual fuck. there's ties to catholism in this show, so i might as well draw my characters in germanic paganistic regalia and have them wave antlers because fuck you, that's why

who's gonna stop me, the romans?

[kirkwallguy]

Demonizing a paganistic religion of people inspired by real life indigenous groups costed them nuanced, complex, high quality writing and storytelling. Dalish, elves and eluvian doesn't exist IRL, but we can read meanings beyond texts, which is why the term media literacy exist... Fantasy isn't real but people who write them is. And topics to write doesn't fall from the sky.

Everything I've seen post-da2 writing feels very pro-christian; i see someone once pointed out how believing in andraste was written a neutral trait while for non-human characters letting go of their beliefs (like, qun) is requirement for them to learn and grow :) Humans' racial and religious domination (colonialism parallels) is pretty much slept on, but qunari (eastern boogeymen) invasions are a threat.

You can excel a story by telling how people on powerful positions can hurt (which something da2 did) without pushing it onto the audience's throat by making them a boogeyman of sort. Meredith is a good example of corruption. DA2's storytelling is based on the corruptions of institutions and the way they hurt people; in Origins you can still feel that.

I still have similar problems with DA2's party banters if I'm being honest, those i said above (they're not necessarily a post-da2 thing...) but at least in a bigger picture it tells a story of domination and oppression and the way it effects people.

Yes, it is a fantasy. But the people who write them and decide the write things the way they did are not. Meanings are coming from beyond the monitor.

oh yeah i pretty much completely agree - dao and da2 have problems in the sense that they're mostly written by white usamericans (and canadians? i think.) but it at least seems to be using the chantry as a way to criticise christianity, even if their perspective on religion is kind of narrow. but dai it just feels like they almost couldn't bring themself to make it evil? even when they try to inflict some issues in there it's immediately smoother over or chalked up to independent bad actors. we literally play the leader of an INQUISITION. i know it's a fantasy inquisition unaffiliated with any real-life inquisitions but did they not think that there might potentially be some baggage there.

scififantasy always has a distinction between "this is an actual religion with a capital g God whose identity we will never confirm" and "this is a mystical fantasy thing where the gods are basically marvel villains who were evil btw and everyone who worship(s/ed) them is an idiot" and they never make the christian-coded religion the latter one!

[charmspoint]

Sanguine Friday 6

 Introducing the religious groups and beliefs of the world:

The worshipers of the Unwillting Rose - The main religion of the world and the one perpetuated by the vampires. They are followers of Lurza, believing in her visions of a beautiful, perfect and undying world and doing everything in their power to spread vampirism and fulfill her wish. Those who don’t willingly accept the undeath are seen as traitors to the goddess and freely treated as prey. Followers indulge in endless beauty and hedonism, often holding grand balls in their goddess’ name. They also perform blood sacrifices, mostly of angels of other gods, seeing them as the most fulfilling and beautiful meal they could offer to their goddess, just as they see consuming angel blood as a step towards becoming closer to her.

The children of the Earth Mother - They believe in the old Mother who had given birth to the world and the gods and had since fallen asleep. They believe that with time she will awaken and take her place as the rightful ruler of the world, defeating Lurza and restoring the world back to its old prosperity. It’s a relatively paganistic religion, concentrated on upkeep of the world and defense of that which still remains unchanged. They are gradually losing in popularity with each year the world falls to darkness and the Mother remains unresponsive to its plights. Most of the believers are human.

The hands of the New Brood - A group consisting mostly of former angels. They believe that what the world needs is a new batch of gods that will restore the balance of the world and overthrow Lurza. Despite this lofty goal, they are hard pressed to explain by which method they would create these new gods and are mostly viewed as young experimentalists with nothing to show for their grand ideas. Their numbers are small and a lot of them end up switching their allegiance with the Mortal Marrow instead. 

The keepers of the Mortal Marrow - unlike their siblings in New Brood, most of the members that make the Mortal Marrow are determined to work their way down, instead of up the evolutionary scale. Their goal is to make humans the dominant species in the world, elevating them to a godhood position without actually making them gods. Angels who had willingly fallen instead of losing their gods make a big portion of this group, as they see humans as gods that would be easier to manipulate and control in their own favor. Human members are generally left unaware of the darker plans of their companions. Mortal Marrow is an intensely scientific group, employing large numbers of alchemists and researchers as their belief is that the quickest way to godhood is for humans to partake in the creation of new form of life, just as gods had so many years ago. 

Vigil for the Fallen - Not exactly a firm religious sect on their own, this name is used for the former angels who still continue to uphold the rules of their dead masters and who wander the world trying to find a way to bring them back. They are mostly looked upon with pity as even the death of a god is a permanent, irreversible thing. And who is to say that if gods did return from the dead, that they would return unchanged.

[msclaritea]

1 SELF SUFFICIENT ME: FARMERS UNDER ATTACK

2 GARDENING IN CANADA: ATTACK ON GARDENS

3 REDACTED: HANG ON, NOW BILL GATES IS COMING FOR YOUR GARDEN

Check out Jojo Mehta, founder of Stop Ecoside Now, actually talking with a straight face, about punishing people for farming. Another one wants people to adjust to Artificial Intelligence Food. All of this shite and very, very likely, billionaire-backed studies, slanted against independent food production. This is all coming from the same plague, that JUST unleashed Paganistic beliefs about Gender and sprayed the whole planet with those dangerous beliefs: the World Economic Forum. Davos. Israel. I will remind people that besides being a shady pervert, Bill Gates ' father was a lawyer for the MOSSAD.

"I call bullshit. I think this "story" is about corporate influence, control, and the continuing war on freedom, privacy, autonomy, self sufficiency and entrepreneurship. Homegrown food is just one of the examples of things that lunatics like Klaus Schwab and Bill Gates, hate." Twitter

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Hello, Nice to Meet Control You

Hello, Nice to Meet Control You: Introduction

Control. Control of others in one form or another has pervaded human history. Control has been exercised by individuals and groups over other individuals and groups. Thank you captain obvious.

This is a cursory look at various forms of control exercised over people. Both actual and possible forms are discussed. I do not pretend to be knowledgeable in the subject and are simply writing my thoughts. The footnotes and end notes are similar to references that I remember reading but not the actual reference. But I assume you know how to use a search engine. Also any typos and misspellings are due to my new gaming keyboard (not really but I need something to blame for my inability to type). Also I am using Libre Office to write this document and it has some issues with footnotes and endnotes or I just can’t use it as well as I use MS Word.

Humans have basic needs which are food, water, livelihood, and shelter. Control any one of these and you control the person. A newer and more effective route for control of others is media. Each of these topics will be discussed in turn. Additionally, the secondary means for controlling these needs will be examined.

I am not an expert in any field related to the topics nor am I any sort of revolutionary for pointing out these areas of control. I am exactly the opposite by discussing them I bring them to light so that they aren’t a problem.

The topics in this document are quickly developing. It may be obsolete before it is finished. I am not a writer. I am more verbally oriented.

Hello, Nice to Meet Control You: Food

We all eat food, all 8 billion of us. Think about that 8 billion people to feed. Most people do not realize that food distribution centers in major cities only have about three days of supply. The food supply is an attack surface for anyone wanting to control a populace. We have seen how easily the supply, among non-food things like TP, is disrupted by the Covid “pandemic”. As an example, the price of eggs rose to $5 per dozen from about $1.30.

This leads me to believe the food supply is a very frail and effective attack surface. Certainly anyone wishing to control a populations only need control the food supply chain.

The first obvious link in the food supply chain is production. Control how much food is produced and any condition from plentiful to famine can be realized. We have seen the direct attack on farmers using the specter of climate change. First in the Netherlands1 and subsequently in Germany2. The US isn’t safe from the assault on food as several animal rights and climate activist organizations have used climate change to to bolster their cause3. Claims of animal farming as being harmful to the environment is aiding the development of plant based “meat” produced in factories. This removes the production from a method that anyone could employ to one that is controlled completely by industry. The control of production is then complete once the end of animal farming is accomplished4. It is interesting that some of the very rich are buying farmland. I assume it is to provide raw materials to the food factories. Next stop distribution.

The dress rehearsal called the Covid-19 epidemic caused major disruptions in distribution of food and other comsumable products produced out side the US5. The most notable shortage was of paper products such as toilet paper. While it is true there were major supply chain issues the ultimate cause was a demand fueled by fear of shortage. In this way shortages are self fulfilling prophecies.

Controlling the food supply is a way to control the population. You can’t protest or fight back if you’re starving. Such bad behavior will be yield no food whereas good behavior will be rewarded with just enough to keep you alive.

Countermeasures

Grow some of your own food.

Eat nutritionally dense food if it is available. So that you require less food.

Source your food locally.

Counter-counter Measures

It will be made illegal to grow your own food. The argument will be the small farms produce too much greenhouse gases. Now we all know this is silly as home gardens do not require the burning of thousands of gallons of diesel fuel. You will also be accused of being selfish and an enemy of society. And someone named Greta will come to your house and punch you in the nuts (just checking to see if you’re actually reading this).

Doug Williamson Blogspot

1https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/11/30/dutch-farmers-could-be-paid-to-close-their-livestock-farms-under-new-scheme

2https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/01/15/germany-farmers-protests-berlin/

3https://worldanimalnews.com/250-groups-urge-the-usda-to-address-the-reduction-of-meat-dairy-to-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions/

4Interesting that no one is complaining about Mark Zuckerberg’s herd. He feeds his cattle beer.Yet fermentation produces a lot of CO2. https://nypost.com/2024/01/11/news/mark-zuckerberg-to-raise-cows-on-beer-and-macadamia-nuts-on-hawaii-ranch/

5https://www.freightwaves.com/news/disrupted-supply-chains-strain-trade-among-us-mexico-and-canada

1https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/01/22/carbon-footprint-homegrown-food-allotment-increase

The Netherlands will be the center for global food innovation with the Global Coordinating Secretariat (GCS)

On January 27, 2021, the Government of the Netherlands, the World Economic Forum (WEF) and several public and private sector partners launched Food Innovation Hubs at the Davos Agenda 2021 meeting. The Food Innovation Hubs will be a key multistakeholder platform that will leverage technology and broader innovations to strengthen local innovation ecosystems for food systems transformation. Supported by multi-year funding from the Government of Netherlands, the initiative will feature a Global Coordinating Secretariat (GCS) based in the Netherlands.

https://investinholland.com/news/the-netherlands-and-the-world-economic-forum-launch-food-innovation-hubs-initiative/The Netherlands and the World Economic Forum Launch Food Innovation Hubs Initiative

“Global food insecurity has been rising again. This stresses the need to redesign how we produce and consume food. The Netherlands is committed to forming partnerships that will catalyze the innovations that are needed to address the food system challenges. I am therefore proud to announce that the Netherlands will host the Global Coordinating Secretariat of the Food Innovation Hubs,” said Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands.

With the arrival of the GCS, the Netherlands will leverage its innovation-driven economy to help advance global food security. Boasting an extensive ecosystem of companies and knowledge institutions in agrifood, horticulture, breeding, high-tech and ICT, the Dutch are ideally positioned to play a leading role in shaping our planet’s food system.

The Food Innovation Hubs will be a flagship initiative of WEF’s Food Action Alliance leading to the UN Food Systems Summit 2021, and beyond. The role of the GCS will be to coordinate the efforts of the regional Hubs as well as align with global processes and initiatives such as the UN Food Systems Summit.

Global center for food innovation comes to the Netherlands

The Food Innovation Hubs initiative places the Netherlands at the center of global food innovation and sustainability. Located in Wageningen at the heart of the Dutch agrifood ecosystem, the GCS will direct the further development of global regional Food Innovation Hubs from the Netherlands. The work of these regional Hubs is already underway, with more than 20 organizations leading the initiative across Africa, ASEAN, Colombia, India and the European hub in Foodvalley Wageningen. Oost NL, a regional partner in the Invest in Holland Network, will support the GCS in starting this work.

“Food sustains life and is at the heart of our planet. But if we are to feed 10 billion people by 2050 within planetary boundaries, the way the world produces and consumes food needs to change. Innovation is critical in enabling this systemic transformation,” said Dominic Waughray, Managing Director of WEF.

“As progress is accelerated towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, the World Economic Forum is committed to supporting collective action and promoting country led agendas through the Food Innovation Hubs in this pivotal year for food systems,” added Waughray.

With country-led approaches, the Hubs will drive both high-end and low-cost grassroots and other innovations that could have scalable impact, as well as innovations encompassing supply chains, partnerships and business models that can enable systemic change.

Source: World Economic Forum

28 January 2021

[coyotetusk]

A follower of Paganism as musked prey with canine tendencies, a body taken by the church where I spit my sins, blessed by Yule's eager snow-flaked tongue, I present myself with passive-aggressiveness where I defend my beliefs, my morals, and my north. Those threatening my connections are met with extended consequences. I am not a creature that will hesitate to bite. Let that be a long-term disease such as rabies, the aftermath of abuse, or a lack of discipline.

I am a paganist of indigenous descent, of relation to the northern kingdoms, and a musked prey with canine tendencies. My physical being is to be dragged to a maddened place of Christianity. I do not deny my doings of worshipping another. I swear I'm a neutral-pawed one.

I am a believer in an old religion. I am a prey of musk with canine tendencies. I am a native and northerner. I am a neutral-pawed one. I have admitted sins, but do not take much sin. I take myself as plagued.

[mysillylittleseerblog]

Blog chronicalling my religious practice? Sure why not what could go wrong.

What is Heathantry/Norse Paganism?

As it says on the tin, paganistic practice based in old Norse beliefs and mythology.

It's important to note that very few direct sources of religious practice and belief and huge portions of Norde mythos has been totally lost to time. Any modern Norse practice is inherently "neo-pagan" as it is reconstructionist, not historically authentic. Some individuals have been lucky enough to have some surviving traditions passed down by their families--- I am not one of them.

Furthermore, obviously, the circumstances in which the OG Norse were living in lended themselves to practices and rituals no longer relavent to the the modern individual. Also, water is wet and fire is hot.

I say all this to make it perfectly clear that I nor most other practicing Heathans believe we are faithfully recreating the beliefs and rituals of the old norse. That's literally fucking impossible and impractical even if it wasn't. I cannot afford nor desire to slaughter a goat every time I honor the Gods, please forgive me.

What is non-faith based practice?

In terms of faith, I'm what most people would call an atheist. In terms of the gods being literally real and in reality, I don't actually "believe" in them, but I also think that really doesn't matter. You and I don't live in reality either--- we live in our little meat prisons. I believe in the Norse gods in the sense that I feel they represent sacred concepts and that their narrative is what makes them profoundly powerful dieties with metaphysical weight. My practice is based in the power of narrative and the inner world, not in faith in their existence in literal physical reality. Not all neo-pagans, Wiccans, heathans/Norse pagans believe in this way, but some do. I am respectful of all degrees and forms of belief, but personally, I'm of the opinion that engaging with practice completely removed from the (in my opinion) pointless question as to whether or not your chosen dieties exist is a much richer and more meaningful way to engage with belief. I also personally feel this allows for a much more meaningful relationship with dieties as it opens the door to engage with them both in awe and rapture as well as critically. The concept of the "perfect being as God" is one very much popularized by Abrahamic faith, and respectfully, is not something I ever found spiritually engaging. All of this to say, this page is a place to engage with the concepts of the Norse Gods as both paragons and flawed, even malicious actors at times and if any other Heathans find that disagreeable this might not be the blog for them. As described in the original myths, the gods can be both regarded as wise and good, and idiotic and cruel simultaneously.

What is Seidr?

Sedir is the primary form of magic practiced by "Norse Witches" known as Seers or Sedir workers, master of which were known as Volva.

In the mythology, Sedir was taught to Odin by Freya and is inherently feminine in nature. Most Seidr workers were AFAB in Norse Culture, and AMAB Seidr workers were seen as taking on an inherently feminine aspect known as "ergi" (unmanliness) which depending on the community they resided in was considered circumdtacially acceptable to demonstrably shameful. Still, it's important to keep in mind that the All Father himself was a powerful practicer of Sedir and in all regards for modern practice, ergi is hot guy shit.

Seidr itself is time-based magic performed by comprehension and aptitude to perceiving "The Web of Wyrd" (the woven fabric of the universe). (Note: Wheel of Time fans are creaming themselves after reading that, I'm sure.)

Practically what this looks like for most Sedir workers is the ability to "see the future" and "channel entities" such as the dead or the gods through trance or contemplation.

For modern Sedir workers, seers, or Volva, their belief may or may not entail them believing they are doing this literally.

I personally do not consider my practice a literal seeing of the future or communing with the dead. I see myself as someone who explores the temporal relation of time, the dead, and the gods on a psychological, conceptual level. This is something anyone who has had some kind of formal education in art, especially conceptual or fine art, will be familiar with.

Fabrication, creation, and time-based art is something historically rooted in Sedir work as it is conceptualized primarily by the act of weaving, which metaphorically and literally is a representation of time. Shit takes time to do and craft to do correctly. You can visibly see time through a weaving, similar to how you can by examining the rings on a tree stump.

How is your work as an artist a form of Seidr? How can being a creative be religious?

"The medium is the message." (Marshall McLuahan) is one of my favorite quotes of all time in comprehending the "magic" of medium as a form of communication and, by an extent, a form of existence.

It is my humble opinion that existence is meaningless, which means you get to create the meaning of life itself and truly self-actuslize. I have been an artist my entire life. Drawing, creating, crafting narrative is something I impulsively and habitually have done since childhood. By trade and professional practice, I'm an animator and illustrator but in my personal practice I consider my primary medium to be time-based narrative. Both in evocation of past existence (the dead, memory, etc.) and future actualization. Creation through temporal relation in narrative is my lifestyle, and my reason for being.

Through my study of Seidr practice and Norse belief, I personally feel this is the essence of Heathan belief and world view. Norse belief is something I've connected to like no other belief system and is the structure of idolatry in which I have found most helpful and rejuvenating personally to live my life.

That all makes it sound very high-minded and serious, but I actually don't think it is. Norse mythology is as a canon of conceptual existence that makes room for both what to do when faced with the end of the world, and Loki getting his pubs tied to a goat's beard as penance for being a dick.

This blog is basically just going to be me sharing my lifestyle, perspective and interpretations of mythos as a modern Heathan and Seer. I'd love this also to become a place for people to share their own as well.

All Father bless ye bitches, hope you enjoy.

[space-worshipper]

Religion related side blog of Atlas

I have been a believer of this religion for roughly 5 or 4 years.

I was never able to put a name to it, I came up with my own.

While what I'm experiencing is not exactly named, it is of the paganistic/astrolatrical polytheistic type of religion.

I believe the creator god is a 4D being who is the universe but also exists inside it, we can only see bits of him. I have 'named' him Ran.

Black holes are the portals to the void where nothing exists and does exist at the same time. When you die you either become an angel (if you are a good worshipper) or go into the noexist void.

There are other semi gods and the exact number of them is unknown. They aren't as powerful.

The other most powerful being besides Ran is a cloud of celestial material with a singular red eye. He is the god of actions and his origin is unknown.

In this blog I'll go in depth about my beliefs and interpretations about the universe.

Who knows, my ramblings just might convert someone, though that isn't my primary goal.

[darkencreative]

7 Fundamental Tenants of Satanism and why I like them!

Do what thou wilt is a common saying rising from the occultic and paganistic movement of the 20th century. I used to be fully against do what thou wilt, but now I am a believer in people doing mostly whatever they want as long as it does not hurt people. I have been trying to find a belief set for me that I find to be close to what I actually believe and so far I found nothing…till I look into…

[undergiants]

So many pagans I know really really badly need to add actual historians of ancient polythiestic religions to their reading lists instead of parroting ideas and beliefs that often have origins in anti-catholic, antisemitic, and even sometimes white supremist ideology. If you see a random posts that claims this and that of an ancient culture maybe just maybe you should double check it with unbiased sourses (akin not paganist sources but objective historian ones)

[wolint]

FRESH MANNA

TOTAL SURRENDER

Genesis 35:1-14

Surrender means yielding to the power, control, or possession of another and completely agreeing to forgo other alternatives.

Many battles end with one side surrendering when they realise they are powerless against the opponent, they admit defeat to save themselves by raising the white flag. In the spiritual realm, we fight two great battles, and surrender plays a part in both.

Without a doubt, God wants an intimate relationship with His creation according to Revelation 3:30. He wants our undivided attention, not half-measures, He’s not interested in part of but all of us according to Revelation 3:15; hot or cold, not hot and cold, we cannot be both.

You shall have no other gods besides me declare the Lord in Exodus 20:3, and in Matthew 6:24, Jesus says we cannot have two masters, as it would cause divided loyalty. He further admonishes us to be like a child in our trust and dependability on the Lord in Matthew 18:3.

We must surrender to God to show complete faith in His love, faithfulness and mercy towards us.

We cannot mix God with something or someone else-paganism, religion or whatever, anything not part of the spirit and truth spoken about in John 4:24.

Total surrender means putting all our trust in God, not doubting or wavering, as James 1:8 says an unstable-minded man is not fully surrendered.

Jacob was aware that his family’s loyalty was divided, hence his instruction to put away their household or foreign god in verse 2.

Have you or your family got a household or foreign god? Have you got a generational deity you’re holding onto on some beliefs passed down from your family that they have been good to you? Remember Jesus said in Mark 10:18 that only God the Father is good, nothing and no one else can be good to us but the Father.

There are all kinds of Christians and unbelieving believers; there are those who treat God as a seasonal deity, approaching Him only during festive periods. Those who only remember the Lord when they need something from Him and forget about Him afterwards and those who trust Him with rational and explainable things but may handle other aspects of their lives with “professionals” or those who are more involved with the Lord like religious leaders.

God Almighty wants an exclusive relationship with us. He will not accept loyalty of another kind, seeing from Deuteronomy 6:5 that all means all, exclusive and total devotion-total surrender.

Acts 4:12 says salvation is in no other, there are no other names or ways to reach the Lord, not through a household, foreign, generational or paganistic god, only through Jesus the way according to John 14:6.

For Jacob and his family to meet with God, they had to surrender everything before presenting themselves to God. You can’t expect the Lord to answer you when you hop between other gods as seen in 1 Kings 18:20-39.

We see Jacob bury the foreign gods in verse 4, this is a symbol of cleansing his household and preparing them to seek and meet with God Almighty. Only after the cleaning and total surrender did the Lord reaffirm the covenant, He previously made with Jacob’s forefathers to increase and make them fruitful in verse 11.

We cannot hold on to other things while trying to access the Lord’s altar, since He made us for His pleasure, He will not stand idly by while we replace Him with whatever takes our fancy-He jealously guards against this according to Exodus 34:14.

Now is the time when surrender is necessary and positive. Surrendering is advantageous, especially when it is to God and it comes when we realise at last that we are powerless to live a holy and righteous life by ourselves and surrender control of our life to God.

Give me your heart says Proverbs 23:26, Observe my ways, not any other gods. Total surrender.

PRAYER: God Almighty, I surrender my all to you and ask Jesus Christ to live in me and through me to accomplish His divine purposes through me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Shalom

WOMEN OF LIGHT INT. PRAYER MIN.

[tocinephile]

Hot Docs 2023 - Coven

As you might be aware, I currently do not review movies professionally nor independently, but I saw my first documentary at the 30th Hot Docs documentary film festival tonight entitled Coven and I have thoughts! Despite past research and study, I do not consider myself any sort of authority on magic nor witchcraft, so if I say something deeply offensive, I invite you to respond but please don’t put a spell on me, I assure you I’ve got enough problems as it is.

Coven is a documentary directed by Rama Rau about the journey of three millennial women as they delve into their past to gain a better understanding of their identities as contemporary witches. There’s no mistaking this film is about witches but I think the more overarching theme is that it’s about three women’s discovery of themselves and how it enhances the witches that they already are.

There’s something very agreeable to Coven the documentary, there is self-discovery, autonomy over oneself, empowerment, history, and connection. Except that there were a number of instances in which I felt disconnected to the film, and I’m still struggling to figure out exactly why. How much of it is from personal experience, how much from the filmmaker, and how much from something else entirely?

It should be stated, I do not actively practice any religion, but I was raised by a Catholic mother. In my teens and into my early 20’s I did a lot of self-study on Wicca and other occult topics. In more recent years I’ve visited the holy land and visited some early Christianity sites. My interest lies in the history and formation of these vastly different religions that are all paganistic at the root of it all. I have an aversion to organized religion that encompasses Catholicism and Wicca equally, but also take great interest in elements of Christianity and witchcraft alike.

[Note: the remainder of this review will include spoilers… insofar that I talk about places they shot in, and personal facts revealed to the audience during Q&A… it’s not like I’m telling you who the murderer is in a whodunit]

Coven features three women including Laura who traces her lineage to multiple witch ancestors, Andra who reconnects with her Romanian heritage and meets with a powerful Romani witch, and Ayo who connects strongly with a Russian mystic from a past life prompting her learn more about her abilities. Their stories are brought together by Rama Rau, who seems to have a genuine interest and affection in their tales, but while she claims to a believer of magic, she does confirm in Q&A that it was part of her upbringing to consult shamans and persons of mystical power, but she herself does not practice magic nor witchcraft.

I’m not saying that Rau doesn’t properly give voice to these women, or that she’s represented witchcraft incorrectly, but what we’re presented with feels more like an outsider looking in rather than a witch seeking genuine representation. It feels like it’s about journey and the power of women first (nothing wrong with this) played out against the background of witchcraft. There are many poignant and moving messages, very personal scenarios, and emotional portrayals, but I can’t help but think a Wiccan for example wouldn’t have taken quite the same approach.

Laura seeks several different channels before delving into her ancestry, including a meeting and initiation into a coven led by a Gardinerian Priestess. While I have vague context into what this title means, Rau makes no attempt at explaining though I'm of the belief that it carries connotations. A later remark by Laura indicates her decision to focus more on self-practice, so I can’t help but wonder whether some of these earlier segments are really necessary.

Other elements that come to mind while on the topic of necessity are Stonehenge and Sighisoara.  The opening shot of the film is of the citadel of Sighisoara, better know as Vlad Tepes’ castle, who is of vampire lore having nothing to do with witches. There is a lovely voiceover citing a myth about the creation of witches from dragon’s blood, but this is a flimsy tie-in at best.

I was also confused by the images of Laura walking through Stonehenge, first I was confused how one gets access to trapse through the site today as it’s forbidden. Fancy camera work perhaps? But that evolved to why she was there at all when her ancestry was tied to Salem, Massachusetts and Scotland. Recall: Stonehenge is in England. One can’t help but feel Rau is placing power and significance on places that have nothing to do with the people in the film and only for their geographical convenience.

It could be said that I’m approaching these stories from my perceived inconsistencies, which explains why I seem to have to least to remark upon regarding Ayo aka Witch Prophet’s story, because I know so little about Caribbean sorcery and voodooism. Her Christian upbringing is completely relatable, and I don’t know if I believe in past lives, but admittedly if reincarnation is real, I feel strongly that I was Russian in a past life as well. Rau met Ayo separately while seeking a women of colour to complete the trio for the documentary.

Whether you have a developed knowledge of witchcraft, or whether you’re able to connect with these women’s tales, there’s no denying Rama Rau’s Coven sparks a ton of discussion. There is one more screening of Coven at Hot Docs on May 5th, 2023 at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

[storyuntrue]

Her   modestly   lowered   eyes   jump   up   to   Chuck   the   moment   he   calls   her   out,   widening   a   touch.   But   instead   of   shock   or   embarrassment   at   getting   caught,   the   green   hues   of   her   gaze   are   glinting   with   mischief,   the   curl   of   her   lips   mirroring   the   same   emotion.   “Perhaps   it’s   never   too   late   to   teach   an   old   dog   new   tricks,   just   look   at   you   and   me.”   It’s   quite   the   opposite   of   modesty,   including   not   only   God   in   her   statement,   but   making   one   as   such   in   the   first   place,   and   Rowena   perfectly   sees   the   irony   in   it,   but   she   doesn’t   care.   This   is   the   one   being,   besides   death   itself,   that   she   couldn’t   fool.   

His   following   words   leave   an   odd   sense   twisting   at   her   gut.   From   upholding   paganistic   beliefs   since   the   very   beginning,   to   standing   in   front   of   the   literal   God,   the   one   who   claims   to   have   made   her   was   surreal   to   say   the   least.   And   yet   still,   her   head   leans   closer   to   his   hand   when   he   touches   her   hair,   trusting,   despite   herself.   “For   that,   I   am   very   grateful.   Having   been   given   such   talent   as   I   have,   providing   me   with   beauty   as   well   was   truly   kind   of   you,   my   lord.”

it's cute that she's trying to fake humility when he, knows her, to her very core. but that's hardly her fault. they all try and do that. he finds endearing, when it isn't a little irritating. rowena's lucky that she just so happens to be one of his favourites. chuck chuckles when she so humbly says that a little make up and a good night's rest is her real secret. ❝ i'm not known for my sweetness, just as you aren't known for your humility. ❞ he's also not one who dashes out compliments.

just another reason for rowena to feel extra special. he reaches slowly to brush a strand of red hair off her face, tucking it behind her ear. her being a little over three hundred years old... there's more than just rest and make up that's holding her together. they both know that. but, he'll indulge her for the time being, offering her a smile. ❝ i guess we all need our beauty rest, hmm? ❞ he's amused, to say the very least. ❝ but you, were always beautiful. i made you that way. ❞

[roakkaliha]

i need finns to realize that when they perpetuate this shit abt karelian things that have no evidence of exististing among finnish culture, they are effectively further deconnecting from their ancestors.

like i can almost quarantee u that ur ancestors have no fucking idea what ‘luonto itse henki’ are. ur ancestors most likely have never heard a single poem that kalevala is based on, they likely dont know who the hell väinämöinen is. they most likely have no clue what ur talking abt when u say anything abt ‘kuutar and päivätär’.

you are ironically doing p much what u criticize the swedes n christian church of doing. i believe that says a lot abt how much u actually care abt ‘keeping finnish paganism alive’.

[bestiarium]

The Rusalka [Slavic mythology]

Slavic folklore tells of the Rusalka, evil female monsters that are usually associated with water in some way. They appear as beautiful women, usually in white dresses. Their hair is always very long but its colour can vary: sometimes they have natural hair colours like light brown, and sometimes it’s green. Their faces are pale, but always exceptionally attractive.

If you happened to see Rusalki in the forest, you’d usually find them dancing and singing and generally enjoying themselves. They would laugh and clap their hands, and you wouldn’t suspect they were evil or malicious. But those who come too close are pulled in the water and drowned, or sometimes tickled to death. Sometimes these spirits would imitate the cry of a baby to lure curious travellers.

They weren’t always considered to be evil, actually. It is thought that these creatures originated as benevolent or semi-benevolent agricultural spirits who brought fertility and healthy crops. It’s a great example of how folklore can change over time. But the origins of the Rusalka are unclear and complicated, because it is a combination of several spirits and beings from different beliefs, combined into one general aquatic bogeyman figure. In fact, the term ‘Rusalka’ dates to the 18th century. The creature incorporates characteristics from several spirits, including the Poludnitsa (ghostly women who haunted fields of grain), the Vodyanoy (aquatic humanoid monsters) and possibly the Beregini, ancient river bank spirits.  

In Kaluga, these creatures were said to be connected to the devil (showing clear signs of Christian influence on the local folktales): the devil boiled them in a giant cauldron and remade them into creatures with eternal young beauty.

As is to be expected from such a ‘composite spirit’, their imagery varies a lot between locations. In northern Russia, for example, these beings were old hags with unattractive faces but particularly large breasts. In other places, Rusalki were depicted as human women with a fish-tail instead of legs (the classical mermaid), small doll-like humans, or young boys.

In their most common form, the Rusalki were either said to be the souls of unbaptized children who took on that form to haunt the world of the living (as they were unable to pass on to the afterlife) or the spirits of girls who drowned and whose souls were trapped in the water. However, Rusalki sometimes left the water to frolic in fields of grain.

During Rusal’Naia week, an old paganistic Slavic holiday in spring, these creatures were at their most dangerous. At this time, these spirits would leave the water, and people would hang offerings on trees in an attempt to appease the Rusalki.

There is a myth from Smolensk, Russia, about a man who used a crucifix to capture a Rusalka, rendering her powerless. The creature came home with him and he made her do household chores. After about a year, Rusal’Naia week arrived and the spirit regained her powers. She immediately broke free of the man’s control and escaped. There are other stories, however, where a Rusalka willingly leaves with a man, after falling in love with him. In some, the creature takes him with her to a luxurious underwater palace where they live a happy life. In other tales, the Rusalka goes to live with the man, and those stories often end with the spirit being baptized and transforming into a human girl.

Source: Ivanits, L. J.,1989, Russian Folk Belief. (image source 1: Deviantart user Suviridian) (image source 2: Quorlinn on Deviantart)

[hannxgram-headcannons]

Direct quote

“Every religion is intertwined in belief, the higher power is decided by the worshipper. I do not practice any set religion however, beliefs present in witchcraft do hold a certain logic that appeals to my ideals. In physics every object is surrounded by energy, same for what I’ve read pertaining witchcraft. I will admit when it comes to easing certain anxieties I tend to branch out my spirituality towards the paganistic (how do I spell I’ve had to ask him to pause like 8 times). I often find terra cards to be oddly affective in predicting future situations that may arise. Certain aspects of every religion are present in my daily aspirations. My body is merely a vessel (he paused for a bit) I do believe there is a higher power, yet I am no profit.”

He made me add commas and shit btw