#but like I’m not about to research what plants are in season in a Nordic winter for a 2 sentence reference

[unfortunate17]

(Probably unpopular) hot take: you don’t need to do research to write a fanfic 🤷‍♀️

[lenoirlivre]

A little about me and this blog.

Certainly, I do not expect everyone to agree with everything said here. As a matter of fact this blog is merely a way for me to transmit and record the knowledge I already possess and will acquire through research regarding the Occult subject, but not only that, it is also a way of reaching out to fellow people who might have a better understanding of certain parts if not the whole of the subject.

Now, who am I? My name shall not be revealed concerning my safety and privacy, though if you wish to address to me you can use the name LeNoir or the initials LN . I’m a 18 year old guy with a very curious mind and an affinity to things considered Occult or Supernatural. I consider myself a Solitary -Eclectic witch/warlock for te reasons that I’m still too young to join a coven (and i do not know if any exist near me) and because I am drawn to lots and different magical practices respectively. But enough about me.

What is a Witch?

Well, to begin, many people use the word “Witch” to describe someone evil and malevolent who worships the Devil and causes misfortunes with spells and curses. Non of that is true I can say and be sure of it. Although, people who worship the Devil will call themselves Witches and some witches (very rarely) have the potential to cause troubles with curses. But again, that is very rare, as witches only wish to bring good things in their’s and other’s lives, and it is known amongst witches that whatever you give to the universe, the universe gives back at the same rate.

For me, the word “Witch” defines someone who practices witchcraft which broadly means the practice of and belief in magical skills/abilities that are able to be exercised by individuals and certain social groups. If you learn about, and practice various rituals and perform certain aspects of the craft, you are considered a Witch. Though you do not have to necessarily perform any of the Rituals and the Practices to be a Witch. If you feel that you are a magical person and you can feel that you are connected to the universe and everything around you and that you have the power to influence some of it’s aspects with your will, than you are a Witch.

What can a Witch do?

Everything :) . Divination, Psychometry, Lithomancy, Palmistry, Scrying, Hexing, spells and curses are some of the most popular practices of witchcraft. Witches can do everything they want, intention and will power matters the most. Sure, moon phases, seasons, months, days and hours, planetary positions as well as affinities and understanding are important but a Witch always knows that mind rules over matter and will power is the key to everything.

Types of witches

Yes, there are certain types of witches and it all depends only on affinities and what someone may feel closer to or have a better understanding of it and they are referred to as “paths”. Now, you don’t have to necessarily put yourself under a tag but finding your affinities will definitely help you with your studies and practices.

Solitary  - Practicing by ones’ self; not included in a group.

Secular  - Non-religious / Not connecting with deity(s).

Eclectic  - An individual’s practice that has bits and pieces pulled from different magickal and/or spiritual practices, respectfully.

(Theistic) Satanic  - Witchcraft that is often centered around honoring and/or working with satan in spellwork and prayer.

Atheist /Laveyan Satanic  - Witchcraft worked with the idea that satan is a concept, rather than a real person or entity (loosely put; it’s a very detailed concept). Also known as Satanic witches who fit the secular description. 

Hereditary/Blood  - Including oneself in the practice of witchcraft on the grounds of having been born into a family who also practices. Knowledge and practice may also be passed down through generations, and honor old ways of magick.

Traditional  - One who practices witchcraft by honoring and using old and ‘traditional’ ways of magick; this type of witch might be one to practice modern methods of magick, but they might also stick to traditional concepts or techniques.

Christian  - Witchcraft that is performed to honor / or is performed in conjunction with the Christian God as the primary and only deity.

Hellenic  - A form of non-witchcraft practice in which the practicer follows Greek ideals/culture and honors the Greek pantheon.

 Celtic  - Magickal practice that is based from the Celtic culture, including its’ mythology, deities, old ways, and (occasionally) language / symbols. May also describe those who only worship Celtic gods.

 Science  - A form of magick in which both metaphysical ideas and scientific facts/theories are mixed in together by the individual practicer.

Types of Witchcraft

I took the information from another blog Rainy-Day-Witchcraft and assigned them in categories.

Keep in mind that each term’s explaination is the basic description of that type of witchcraft/magick; each individual witch might be a certain type but define it differently, as their practice may be different from the next Witch.

Spiritual :

Dream  - (A possible variation of Hedge) Mindful and internal magickal practice mainly based from interpreting dreams and/or engaging in lucid dreaming. Those who intensify as this may “de-code” symbols and messages in the dream world similar to how one would use a divination technique.

Hedge  - Also known as an astral title, a type of magick that is oriented around more spiritual work; astral travel/projection, lucid dreaming, spirit-work, healing, and out-of-body experiences are all practices included in this magick.

Faery/Fey  - Magick for those who communicate and work with the fey during spells and rituals. Usually, those who work with the fey may also leave offerings regularly, as thanks for the assistance of a faery in their spellwork.

Spirit Working  - A practice in which the person will perform spellwork in conjunction with or with the help of any manner of spirit. This includes Ouija, (sometimes) demon spirits, spiritual contact, etc.

Draconian - Refers to type of magick for those who call upon or work with dragons and dragon imagery in their practice; whether it be through astral matters or in spells and rituals.

Death/Necromancy  - A practice that may combine Bone, Animal, Spirit work, occasionally also Blood. Using spirits to empower one self, hoarding bones, using graveyards, graves, the spirits of them, as well as the dirt (or even plants) that are found in them. May also honor the dead and/or gods who work with the dead.

Chaos/Chaotic  - A type of magick utilizing new, non-traditional, and unorthodox methods. It is a new and highly individualistic practice, while still drawing from other common forms of magick.

Animal  - (A variant of Green) Magick that is strongly tied to the animal kingdom, which includes a deep appreciation for all animals, and most often: usage of animal materials in spellwork. An animal witch will most likely be one who loves animals, a person who animals are immediently “drawn” to, and those who appreciate the natural world. Some animal witches might also use bones, wings, feathers, fur, skin, scales, (etc). from deceased animals in their magick, if they choose to do so. 

Sigil  - A witchcraft working majorly with sigils, and the intent that can be put into them to active their power.

Grey  - A neutral witch, who practices magick that neither benefits or harms others. Grey magick may also both harm and benefit at the same time, balancing and neutralizing.

Lunar  - One who works magick with / honors the moon and it’s energy and phases. This type of witch is also one to favor casting magick during the night hours rather than during the day.

Astronomy/Space  - (A wider variant of lunar) Those who practice magick and correlate their beliefs in conjunction with the planets and stars! These witches may focus their magick with the properties of each planet, regularly read a horoscope or study astrology, and have a love of the stars and the night.

Energy  - Those who prefer to do magick through energy exercises and manipulation rather than with many physical tools or materials; using the enhanced power of the mind and the body’s natural energies to bring about a magickal result or feeling. (Also may include aura work).

Heathenry  - a practice in which the individual follows, works with, and/or worships the Norse deities.

Lokean  - Someone who works with/worships Loki and/or any of his relations (Hel, Jormugandr, Sigyn, Angrboda, etc) ; does not exclude other deities.

Odinism  - A faith that works mostly with Odin, Thor, Freyjr, Freyja, Frigga, and Heimdall.

Asatru  - Literally “Faith in the [Old] Gods” it is a more specific branch of Heathenry that worships the major Nordic pantheon, minus Loki, Fenrir, or other “adversary” gods.

Gaulish  - A practice that involves worshipping Gaulish gods.

Kemetic  - Worshipping and working with Egyptian deities.

Death/Necromancy  - A practice that may combine Bone, Animal, Spirit work, occasionally also Blood. Using spirits to empower one self, hoarding bones, using graveyards, graves, the spirits of them, as well as the dirt (or even plants) that are found in them. May also honor the dead and/or gods who work with the dead. 

Elemental :

Green  - Utilizing greenery/plants/herbs/flowers in herbal and natural magick, such as creating blends of different plants or using primarily herbs in spellwork.

Sea  - A type of magick derived from materials and abstract ideas involving the ocean and oceanic world. Sea/Ocean magick can be worked using seashells and bones, sea weed, beach sand, driftwood, ocean water, etc. and a sea witch might draw their energy from that of the sea! 

Storm/Weather  - Magick that is worked by combining one’s energy with the energy of the weather, and most commonly rain. Weather witches will do things like collect rain/snow water, absorb the energy of a lightning storm, “whistle up” or manipulate wind, predict the weather, etc. 

Garden  - While having a garden and/or working in any type of garden; magick that is mostly (if not all) herbal and botanical-related! Garden witches take pride and find it calming or invigorating to work the earth, harvest that which they have planted, and are closely related to Green type.

Elemental  - Magick that is worked by honoring/acknowledging the 4 or all 5 elements: Water, Earth, Air, Fire, and Spirit. Commonly an Elementalist will dedicate different areas of their altars to each element, call upon them during spells and rituals, and use symbols to represent each.

Water  - Specifically centered on the element of Water; water scrying, collecting sea/storm/snow/river/spring water, swimming/bath spells and other water-related actives, creating and using symbols associated with water.

Earth  - Specifically centered on the element of Earth; grounding exercises, rock/soil collecting, strong appreciation of the natural world, creating and using symbols associated with earth.

Air  - Specifically centered on the element of Air; working with wind, using air-related tools (such as the wand), creating and using symbols associated with air.

Fire  - Specifically centered on the element of Fire; Using anything fire-related (bonfires, candles, burning objects) in most spellwork, creating and using symbols associated with fire.

Flora - Much like a Green or Garden witch, those who work majorily with floral materials and flowers in their practice and in their spellwork! Their grimoire may be heavily associated with flowers rather than herbs, and likewise, one might use flower properties in spell or craft work.

Seasonal  - Witches who utilize and draw energy from the specific times of year for their magick, sort of how a person might have a strong love or connection to a certain time of year! This can also be spread out into Winter, Autumn, Spring and Summer witches.

 “Poison Path”  - Working with plants, herbs, other items that may be poisonous, deadly, cause hallucinogenic effects, or affect the mind or body in some way. (sometimes aphrodisiacs are included).  

 Desert  - Using and utilizing the desert environment. Lots of work with hardier plants such as Cacti or Tumbleweeds. Use of the moon, desert earth, fire, rare water (especially rainwater), wind, local plants and herbs, as well as animals/creatures of the desert such as snakes, spiders, scorpions, and so on.  

Swamp/Bog  - Heavy use of water and moisture, rich we soil/mud, sometimes incorporates the use of bones, animals, and insects, especially the local plants of the Swamp.

Material :

Cottage / Hearth - (A slight variation from kitchen) Magick that is weaved, worked, or embued into mundane tasks around the house or for loved ones. Cottage/Hearth magick may be worked into daily tasks such as cleaning, cooking, or any hobbies.

Kitchen  - Magick that is worked specifically through “kitchen craft” such as herbal mixtures, brewing, baking, and cooking, and honors many aspects of the natural world: including herbs, crystals, fey, and the elements.

Tea  - Those who drink tea, make tea, use tea-leaf divination, or enjoy blending herbal remedies! A variant of Kitchen/Cottage witch.

Embroidery / Sewing / Knit  - One who embues magick into household “stitching” or “string” hobbies such as embroidery, sewing, knitting, stringing, and knotting ~ Basically, one who identifies with using knot or chord magick in many different skills.

Paper  - Magick that is worked with, essentially, paper! Burning paper written with sigils, chants, symbols or spells, creating magickal offerings, items, or sachels from paper, etc.

Music  - Magick that is worked with music, musical chimes, or rhythm! Humming/singing, clapping, singing chants during spells, playing instruments (even simple ones, like the triangle or bells), or even just simply playing music during spellwork, magick, or during energy exercises are a few common things a music witch might fancy.

Art/Craft  - Witchcraft that can be worked through arts and crafts, simply put! One may embue macgick in creative activities such as painting, drawing, building, cutting, creating, etc.

Bone  - Witches who commonly collect, clean, and use animal bones in their magickal practice, and for things like altar decoration or magick-infused charms/jewelry. Materials used by those who identify as Bone witches are usually collected peacefully or after the being has passed on naturally!

Crystal  - Magick that is worked commonly with stones and crystals, such as during spellwork or for crystal healing techniques. This may also include chakra balance, crystal meditation… anything that uses crystals, really! A crystal witch may also have an extensive knowledge of stones, including how to identify them and using their properties.

Literary  - Those who practice magick through books and literature; a literary witch may do thing such as using book divination, often study witchcraft/magick even after the “beginner” phase of learning, etc. Also a term used to describe witches in stories, books, or movies.

Other :

Pop Culture  - Uses pop culture as a main focus or inspiration for the craft. Using lyrics or movie lines in spells, worshipping and honoring pop culture icons or idols, use of fandom, and more. It is a very wide practice. Examples may include drawing from Harry Potter spells or using invented sigils from shows like Supernatural.

Urban Primative/City  - For those who live or prefer the urban/city lifestyle; magick that can be worked without the seemingly “traditional” ways of witchcraft.

Like i said, I do not expect everyone to agree with me. I’m open to submissions and suggestions. There will be future posts in which I will attempt to explain everything in a deeper sense and add more information. Message me anytime if you wish to contact me. Also, please follow this amazing blog Rainy-Day-Witchcraft it contains a lot of very important informations and spells and generally everything regarding witchcraft. -LN

[fadingfartconnoisseur]

Skiing in Salzburg, Austria – Shredding Slopes and More in the Skicircus

This trip to the Salzburg mountain region was the first of many that will form part of my ‘Year in Austria’ project. I am now the official UK ambassador for the Austria Tourism board, where I will be travelling all around the country (using my home of Vienna as the starting point) over the next 12 months. I will be sharing content on my social channels and on the Visit Austria channels also. A big part of this project is to include insights from what you know already and questions about what you don’t, and even challenges set by you, the readers, on what you want me to see and do. Ultimately, I want you to come here too! I hope you will follow along and join in, and put Austria more on the map!

Skiing in Salzburg is as Austrian as it sounds and since ski is the national sport of the country, shredding the slopes of Austrian Alps is a rite of passage for every visitor who passes through the country in winter. Now that I live in Austria, I need to up my ski ante to assimilate and pretend I can be a proper Austrian too.

Alpine pursuits are quite the thing to show off about here.

A year had come around fast since I first ventured on a ski slope in Tirol, where I mastered a very brief introductory ski lesson that firmly planted the desire to continue. Now, the Salzburg mountain region would stage the next round of my professional ski training.

A four-hour train journey from Vienna to Saalfelden (with a halfway change at Salzburg city station) brought me straight into the heart of the ‘Skicircus’. It is a gigantic winter production born from the combination of the four regions of Saalbach, Hinterglemm, Leogang and Fieberbrunn into one.

Now that this enormous sugar bowl of the Austrian Alps has become one of the largest ski areas in Austria, where do you even begin?

After checking into my rustic alpine hotel in Leogang, I went straight out to catch a cable car up into the peaks for the last few hours of blue-tinged daylight. This winter arena is so big, it now has 70 of these mountain lifts to take you up into altitudes reaching 1,914 meters, and 270km of powered slopes that can get you all the way back down.

The pivotal place for all the fun is the Asitz Mountain, and arriving in the early afternoon meant my first activity would be an alternative to ski. And so I took to a toboggan for a seven-minute adrenalin-pumped whirl down to one of the middle cable car station, admiring the panorama of distant jagged peaks on the way.

People often seek more thrills away from the piste, and in the Saalfelden Leogang Skicircus area there are plenty of options. Aside from the vintage wooden sledge fun, Asitz has now added an even faster option that incorporates the endorphin addiction of flight. The new Flying Fox is one of the longest and fastest ziplines in the world at 1,600 metres and 130km/h that soars you between two peaks and over the wide expanse of the valley floor. It hadn’t officially opened when I was there, but such is the dilemma with Austrian ski destinations. The demand for adrenalin addictions other than ski means more activities get added to the winter mix, so you are tempted to come back.

Skiing in the Salzburg Mountains

My first full morning was designated solely for private ski lessons, where I spent three solid hours on a beginner slope before a celebratory beer with lunch. With 140km of blue slopes, Skicircus is welcoming to beginner skiers, with a variety of leisurely routes to tackle once your confidence kicks in.

While my first lesson a year before concentrated on the technical perfection of the snow plough and speed control, my one-on-one lesson here built upon that, where I learnt how to turn and really put that snow plough into action. I sometimes lost my control (as is expected), although would often venture into a few seconds of adventurous speed freestyle by accident, before realising I’m no Olympian. It’s terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time, and all a part of the learning process.

However, if you are aching for an adrenalin-charge, there’s also enough incline to tempt the more advanced, with 110km of red slopes and 20km of black to shred. I’m aiming high, literally.

More Than Ski in the Austrian Alps

Aside from the ski Austria humble brag, the Salzburg mountain range lays claim to 150km of cross-country and racing trails, seven ski-touring routes and snow parks, two free ride parks, five toboggan runs and a dedicated ‘Nordic Park’. You can even learn how to ski-jump, which is one of my adventure goals.

The new Saalfelden Nordic Park is a winter sports facility where alternative ski activities come together in one huge arena. You can slow down and ice-skate on Lake Ritzensee, take a horse-drawn sleigh ride around the area or build an igloo, or you can continue with the athletics.

There’s 150km of cross-country forest trails and racing routes, where you can hike challenges path such as the Haid Trail and the winter wonderland of the Kolling Forest or take a light 30-minute meander on the Ritzensee Trail. You can also book snowshoeing tours and torchlight hikes to reach the Salzburg mountain panoramas via nature’s forest bound pristine tracks.

If, like me, you find yourself wanting to take on one of these options and are held back by a snow flurry while nature decides to re-load the slopes and valley walls, there’s always the chance to climb up, Spiderman style, on one of the indoor bouldering walls. This last-minute change of plan was a good thing – leading me towards a new sport I will soon be taking up back home in Vienna.

As the name suggests, Skicircus is quite the stage for wintertime in Austria, where you circuit the mountain slopes and valley walls of a huge patch of the Austrian Alps by alternative means, while keeping up the ski traditions it’s always been known for.

Things to Know:

Getting to Saalfelden Leogang for the Skicircus

By Train. The closest railway stations are Saalfelden and Leogang, with has taxi stands and a bus to get you to your resort areas / accommodation. The ÖBB network is extremely well connected. I took a train from Vienna Hauptbahnhof to Salzburg Hauptbahnhof and changed from there to Saalfelden.

By Plane. The nearest international airport is Salzburg, which has good connections with many of the major airlines. There is now a ‘Holiday Shuttle’ that travels non-stop eight times daily between the airport to Saalfelden Leogang.

By Car. From eastern Austria, use the westautobahn Vienna – Salzburg (A1) and exit at Wals-Lofer. Saalfelden Leogang is 400km from Vienna. From Germany take the autobahn Munich Salzburg (A8). Saalfelden Leogang is 200km from Munich.

Learning to Ski in Saalfelden Leogang, Salzburg

Saalfelden Leogang Skicircus has five ski schools with approximately 250 ski instructors, including snowboarding, cross-country and children’s ski instruction.

Private ski lessons (1-2 people) start from €65 for one hour in the morning and €55 for one hour in the afternoon. A full day of instruction is €230.

Group lessons (adults and children aged 15+) start from €50 for a half day, €100 for 2.5 days and €145 for 3.5 days.

How much does it cost to Ski in Saalfelden Leogang, Salzburg?

The costs for a Salzburg Superskicard starts from €55 per day, up to €290 for 7 days. This is a more economical option for those wanting to ski in a variety of areas.

Costs for the Skicircus area start from €35-42 for a half day pass and €52 for a full day pass.

A ski bus operates in Leogang and Fiberbrunn to particular cable cars. Check your local timetable for scheduled stops, time and routes.

Further Information and Research

For a complete list of activities and events, alongside costs and accommodation options, visit the Saalfelden Leogang tourism website.

Inspiration on the ski season in Austria and beyond can be found on the comprehensive site for Austria Tourism.

Further Reading on the Winter Season in Austria from Borders of Adventure

My very first ski lesson in Tirol

The winter wheeling activities of Segway and fatbiking on the winter coated alpine 

Theres’s even MORE activities to try in winter in Austria other than ski! Some things may surprise you…

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