#mint mead

[ketchuplaser]

I also started a spiced cider, a mint mead and a lavender mead.

My brother-in-law got me fancy honey for Christmas, so of course I'm going to hooch it up!

[claire-starsword]

Final Conflict all HQ quotes

Mead leaving the team:

"Our goal is to defeat the devil army! So I won't be sad for not getting to be in battle, really... I mean it, I'm not sad!"

joining the team:

"I'll fight with all my strength and pride as a knight! I'll do my best."

Paige leaving the team:

"I've been fighting since the beginning and now you want to leave me behind? No way, I can be useful..."

joining the team:

"Of course the battle can't start without me there! After all I'm way more useful than Mead."

Hawel leaving the team:

"My magic is something born from wisdom. I'll keep studying while I rest and improve it."

joining the team:

"My studies aren't good just for explaining mysteries. I'll prove that in the battlefield."

Sonette leaving the team:

"Bows need maintenance at times, I was wondering if you would let me rest a little. Will you be fine without me?"

joining the team:

"Leave the backline support to me. I'll shoot down any enemies."

Knuckles leaving the team:

"Eeh?! You're leaving me behind? Is it because Paige said I oversleep? But that's not true..."

joining the team:

"Who's too easygoing? Nobody says that once they've seen how I fight!"

Cynthia leaving the team:

"Everyone, take care... I'll be praying for your victory here on headquarters."

joining the team:

"If you get hurt please tell me as soon as possible, okay? The sooner the healing is done the better."

Ruburan leaving the team:

"So you're my replacement? Hmpf. You'll be in trouble if you don't do as great as me."

joining the team:

"Of course I don't mess up at fighting or stealing, I'm a real pro. Just leave it all to me."

[Note: the word Ruburan uses for mess up here, ドジ (doji), is the same he uses in a previous cutscene when referring to his failure in protecting his subordinates from Mishaela. So saying he never messes up feels like massive copium on his part.]

Kiddo leaving the team:

"Aren't you looking down on me because you think I'm still just a kid? I'm sure I can be of help to you..."

joining the team:

"Watch me attack from the skies! I'll get the drop on those devils!"

Sylvia leaving the team:

"It seems that I could not be of use to all of you... So that it won't come to this again, I shall undergo more training at headquarters."

joining the team:

"For my motherland, Pacalon, I shall fight to my very end!"

Julia leaving the team:

"You're leaving me behind? Once the battle starts it will be to late to regret it."

joining the team:

"You don't need to meddle in my fights. Let me test my skills as I please."

Erik leaving the team:

"My wish is to fight the devil army and defeat Mishaela. But I must not be selfish. I'll be watching over you all at least."

joining the team:

"For my father, Elliot, and for the world as well, I'll fight with all I have!"

Mint leaving the team:

"I'm sure Goddess Mitula is watching over everyone as well. The rest is up to you!"

joining the team:

"O Goddess Mitula, I'm heading to the battlefield now. Please lend me your divine protection!"

Morton leaving the team:

"You see, at this age fighting takes quite the toll. Let me take a break, alright?"

joining the team:

"Best place to test the fruits of your training is the actual battlefield, no? I'll try it out in this one."

Sasuke leaving the team:

"The secret shinobi arts aren't something to show off. But, should you need my power, call me at any time."

joining the team:

"To live in shadows is the fate of a shinobi. But right now it's time to fight for a great cause."

Ridion leaving the team:

"My body is having trouble keeping up after being imprisoned. I'll leave it to you all."

joining the team:

"Alright, we're off to battle! Let's answer to Lynx's chivalry with our own actions in the battlefield."

Kojirou leaving the team:

"Retreating is a tactic as well! It's important to know one's limits and not attempt the impossible."

joining the team:

"The way of the warrior is to discard one's life and carry out justice. I shall stand by your orders!"

Max leaving the team:

"Even if I leave the battle, as long as I set up a strategy for you guys there's no way you'll lose! I'll do my best."

joining the team:

"Everyone, are you prepared? No matter what enemies are up ahead, I'll fight with all my strength!"

[greenwitchcrafts]

June 2024 witch guide

Full moon: June 21st

New moon: June 6th

Sabbats: Litha/Summer Solstice- June 20th

June Strawberry Moon

Known as: Aerra Litha, Birth Moon, Blooming Moon, Brachmanoth, Dyad Moon, Egg Laying Moon, Green Corn Moon, Hatching Moon, Hoer Moon, Honey Moon, Lovers Moon, Mead Moon, Moon of Horses, Moon of Making Fat, Partner Moon, Rose Moon & Strong Sun Moon

Element: Earth

Zodiac: Gemini & Cancer

Nature spirits: Sylphs & Zephyrs

Deities: Aine of Knockaine, Bendis, Cerridwen, Green Man, Ishtar, Isis, Neith & Persephone

Animals: Butterfly, frog, monkey & toad

Birds: Peacock & wren

Trees: Maple & Oak

Herbs: Dog grass, meadowsweet, moss, mugwort, parsley, skullcap & vervain

Flowers: Lavender, orchid, tansy & yarrow

Scents: Lavender & lily of the valley

Stones:  Agate, Alexandrite, cat's eye, chrysoberyl, emerald, fluorite, garnet, moonstone, ruby & topaz

Colors: Gold, green, orange & yellow

Energy:  Abundance, balance, change of residence, communication, decision making, education, family relations, full & restful energy, love, marriage, prosperity, positive transformation, prevention, protection, public relations, relationships, responsibility, strength, tides turning, travel & writing

While strawberries certainly are a reddish-pink color and are roundish in shape, the origin of the name “Strawberry Moon” has nothing to do with the Moon’s hue or appearance.

• June's full Moon is typically the last full moon of spring or the first of summer. The June Full Moon will be extraordinary. For the first time since 1985, Full Moon happens precisely on the summer solstice, when the Sun is highest up. Because the Full Moon is always opposite the Sun, this year, you will see that the Moon is 10 widths lower on the horizon than the Sun ever is. 

This “Strawberry Moon” name has been used by Native American Algonquian tribes that live in the northeastern United States as well as the Ojibwe, Dakota, and Lakota peoples to mark the ripening of “June-bearing” strawberries that are ready to be gathered. The Haida term Berries Ripen Moon reflects this as well. As flowers bloom and early fruit ripens, June is a time of great abundance for many.

Litha

Known as: Alban Heruin, Summer Solstice & Whit Sunday

Season: Summer

Element: Fire

Symbols: Besom, fairies, God's eyes, sunflowers & symbols of the sun

Colors: Blue, gold, green, orange, red, tan & yellow

Oils/Incense: Cinnamon, frankincense, heliotrope, lavender, lemon, lily of the valley, mint, musk, myrrh, orange, orange pine, pine, rose, saffron, sandalwood & wisteria

Animals: Cattle, crab, horse & octopus

Birds: Goldfinch, kingfisher, meadowlark, owl, robin & wren

Mythical: Fairies

Stones: Bloodstone, diamond, emerald, jade, lapis lazuli & tiger's eye

Food: Ale, bread, cheese, edible flowers, garden fresh vegetables & fruit, lemons, meade, milk, oranges, pumpernickel bread, summer squash & wine

Herbs/Plants: Anise, basil, betony, cinquefoil, copal, elder, fennel, fern, frankincense, galangal, hemp, ivy, larkspur, lemon, lemon balm, mistletoe, mugwort, mullien, nettle, orange, orpin, plantain, rue, saffron, sandalwood, St.John's wort, thyme, verbena, vervain, wild thyme & ylang-ylang

Flowers: Carnation, chamomile, daisy, heather, heliotrope, honeysuckle, lavender, lily, marigold, orchid, rose, wisteria & yarrow

Trees: Elder, holly, laurel, linden, oak & pine

Goddesses: Amaterasu, Aine, Anahita, Dea, Cerde, Dag, Dana, Eiru, Fenne, Gwydion, Kupala, Mabd, Phoebe, Skhmet & Sul

Gods: Apollo, Baal, Balder, Bel, The Dagda, Donnus, El, The Green Man, Helios, Huon, Jupiter, Llew, Loki, Lugh, Maui, Mithras, Oak/Holly King, Ogmios, Ra, Surya, Thor & Zeus

Issues, Intentions & Powers: Agriculture, changes, divination, ending, fertility, life, light, manifestation, power, purpose, strength, success & unity

Spellwork: Fire & water magick

Activities:

• Charge and cleanse your crystals in the solstice sun

• Make Sun water

• Create crafts with natural elements such as flowers

• Burn a paper with things that no longer serve you or that you are trying to let go

•  Invite friends & family over for a bonfire and/or feast

• Gather & dry herbs for the upcoming year

• Clean, decorate & cleanse your altar with summer symbols

• Brew some sun tea

• Take a ritual bath/shower with flowers

• Make your own sun dial

• Craft a door wreath out of flowers & herbs

• Enjoy some sunrise/sunset yoga

• Volunteer at a food kitchen or animal shelter

• Plant trees (especially ones that may provide fruit or berries to feed the wildlife)

• Watch the sunset & say a blessing to nature

• Make flower infused anointing/spell oils

• Eat fresh fruits & berries

• Participate in a handfasting

• Create shadow art

The history of Litha reveals its deep connections to ancient agricultural societies & their reliance on the sun's power. Celebrated as part of the Wheel of the Year, Litha symbolizes the balance between light & darkness. Throughout history  customs such as bonfires, herb gathering & the construction of sunwheels have marked this festival. Today, Litha continues to be celebrated by various communities, with gatherings at sacred sites & private rituals in natural settings. It serves as a reminder of our connection with nature and the cycles of life.

• The traditions of Litha appear to be borrowed from many cultures. Most ancient cultures celebrated the summer solstice in some way such as the Celts celebrated Litha with hilltop bonfires & dancing. Many people attempted to jump over or through the bonfires for good luck. Other European traditions included setting large wheels on fire & rolling them down a hill into a body of water.

Litha is often associated with Midsummer, a celebration that extends beyond the pagan and Wiccan traditions. Midsummer festivities are observed in many cultures around the world, including Scandinavian countries where it holds a prominent place in their cultural heritage. Midsummer dances, bonfires, & feasts are integral parts of these celebrations, often accompanied by folklore and traditional rituals that honor the sun's energy and the abundance of nature during this time.

The summer solstice is the longest day of the year & in some traditions, Litha is when The Sun(The God) is symbolically at it's peak time of power & the World will soon be ripe to harvest. It is also when The Goddess is pregnant with The God who is to be reborn at Yule.

• In the Northern Hemisphere the Summer Solstice occurs when the Sun reaches its highest and northernmost points in the sky. It marks the start of summer in the northern half of the globe. (In contrast, the June solstice in the Southern Hemisphere is when the Sun is at its lowest point in the sky, marking the start of winter.)

Some also believe the history & spirit of Litha revolve around two deities, The Oak King & The Holly King. In Wiccan and Neo-Pagan traditions, each King rules the Earth for half of the year. From Yule to Litha, the Oak King rules. On Litha, the two battled for the crown and it is then that the Holly King triumphs. The Holly King will rule through fall until Yule, and the cycle will begin again.

Related festivals:

• Vestalia- June 7th -15th

Was a Roman religious festival in honor of Vesta, the goddess of the hearth & the burning continuation of the sacred fire of Rome. It was held from 7–15 June & was reserved as a women's-only event. Domestic & family life in general were represented by the festival of the goddess of the house & of the spirits of the storechamber — Vesta & the Penates .

On the first day of festivities the penus Vestae (sanctum sanctorum of the temple of Vesta which was usually curtained off) was opened for the only time during the year, at which women offered sacrifices. As long as the curtain remained open, mothers could come, barefoot and disheveled, to leave offerings to the goddess in exchange for a blessing to them and their family.

For the last day, the penus Vestae was solemnly closed, the Flaminica Dialis observed mourning & the temple was subjected to a purification called stercoratio: the filth was swept from the temple and carried next by the route called clivus Capitolinus and then into the Tiber.

Sources:

Farmersalmanac .com

Llewellyn's Complete Book of Correspondences by Sandra Kines

Wikipedia

A Witch's Book of Correspondences by Viktorija Briggs

Encyclopedia britannica

Llewellyn 2024 magical almanac Practical magic for everyday living

[esoteric-chaos]

Spring Equinox Masterpost- Spoonie Witch Friendly

Art Credit: Anastasia Catris

The Spring Equinox, also called the Vernal Equinox or Ostara, is usually celebrated between the 21st of March in the Northern Hemisphere (In the Southern Hemisphere around September 20th or 21st)

In 2024, Ostara and the Spring Equinox land in the Northern Hemisphere on Monday, March 19th.

The Spring Equinox celebrates the arrival of spring. Celebrating balance, growth, and new beginnings as Winter has finally ended.

Spring Equinox Correspondances

Colours

Light Green

Lavender

Sunny Yellow

Light Blue

Pastel Pink

White

Herbal

Lemongrass

Daffodils

Tulips

Violets

Apple Tree

Cherry Blossom

Primrose

Birch tree

Hyacinths

Dandelion

Garlic

Ash tree

Jasmine

Edibles

Honey

Salad greens

Spring veggies

Fresh berries

Mead

Herbs

Eggs

Seeds

Bread

Edible flowers

Quiches

Custards

Maple

Animals

Hares

Baby Chicks

Snakes

Robins

Bees

Butterflies

Phoenix

Ram

Crystals

Fluorite

Moonstone

Silver

Aquamarine

Clear Quartz

Amazonite

Symbols

Bonfires

Flowers

Rabbits

Eggs

Seeds

Baskets

Flowering or Tree Buds

Lambs

Birds

Spiritual meanings

Purification

Cleansing (removal of stagnant energy)

Growth

Transition

Motivation

Balance

Birth

Good fortune

Kindness

Joy

Fertility

Scents

Coconut

Citrus

Floral scents (rose, lilac, jasmine, etc)

Herbal scents (rosemary, basil, mint, etc)

Gods / Goddesses / Spirits

Eostre –  (Anglo-Saxon)

Aphrodite - (Greek)

Gaia - (Celtic)

Gaea - (Greek)

Venus - (Roman)

Athena - (Greek)

Aurora - (Roman)

Eos - (Greek)

Isis – (Egyptian)

Freya - (Norse) 

Persephone - (greek)

Cybele - (Roman)

The Green Man - (Celtic)

Odin – (Norse) 

Osiris – (Egyptian)

Pan – (Greek)

Thoth – (Egyptian)

Adonis – (Greek)

Apollon –  (Greek)

Apollo - (Roman)

Need some suggestions to celebrate? I've got you covered.

High energy celebrations and ritual

Deep cleaning of the hearth and home

Nature hikes

Visiting farmers markets

Making preserves

Create a fae garden

Create a seasonal altar

Abundance/Prosperity ritual

New beginnings ritual

Low energy celebrations 

Wear pastels

Create flower crowns

Light a candle with scent correspondence

No spoon celebrations 

Opening a window

Journaling Prompts

Keeping hydrated

Drink floral tea

Rest

How you celebrate the holiday does not matter. You can choose to do any activity that feels right. These are only suggestions and remember that you're enough no matter what.

Also please note some stuff is UPG. A great book is Year of the Witch by Temperance Alden for honouring the celebrations and if you wanted to work more seasonally. It's not Wiccan-based and has plenty of resources for every witch.

Feel free to post how you celebrate in the comments or reblogs!

Want to see more of my posts? Check out my Wheel of the Year Masterpost or my Main Masterpost.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Reference: List of Aphrodisiacs

Here is a brief list of some of the foods that have been considered, at some time or other, to have aphrodisiac qualities.

Almond - As well as being the same shape as the vesica piscis, the sacred doorway through which matter emerges into spirit, the almond is a nut and therefore carries the potential for new life.

Aniseed - Falls into the category of seeds. Also aids digestion and sweetens the breath which could explain why the Romans considered it a useful ingredient for seduction.

Apple - Infamous as the fruit that Eve gave to Adam, a symbol of sexual awakening.

Asafetida - (or Asafoetida) This is the ground root of a fennel-like plant. It has a powerful odor, and despite its folk name, Devil’s Dung, it is used as a sexual stimulant in Ayurvedic medicine.

Avocado - The Mexicans called the avocado tree the “testicle tree,” since the fruit dangles down in pairs. The sensual texture of avocado adds to its reputation.

Banana - The banana flower resembles the phallus. Islamic tales say that Adam and Eve covered their sexual parts with banana leaves rather than the more common fig leaves.

Cherry - Sensuously red and juicy, and containing a potent symbol of new life inside the stone. “Popping the cherry” is a slang term for losing one’s virginity.

Chocolate - The melting point of chocolate is the same as that of blood temperature, and so its mouthfeel alone is a sensual experience. Added to this, chocolate contains mood-lifting substances, including phenylethylamine which, when released into the bloodstream, induce feelings of euphoria. Still arguably the most popular food given as a gesture of love. When the 16th century Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés heard about its reputation as an aphrodisiac, he planted two thousand trees.

Cinnamon - The glorious scent of cinnamon was reputedly used as oil by the Queen of Sheba to help her capture the attention of King Solomon.

Cloves - Because they resemble little phalluses, cloves were considered to enhance male potency. The clove tree was planted to signify the birth of a baby boy in certain parts of Indonesia, the health of the tree reflecting the health of the child as it grew up.

Coriander - Also comes under the category of seeds. Reputed to stimulate appetites of all kinds.

Fennel - The Egyptians who used this as a sexual stimulant cannot have known that it contains plant estrogens that can help balance female hormones. These estrogens also enhance the breasts.

Fig - The plethora of tiny seeds inside the fig is symbolic of fertility, and the moist plumpness of the fruit has a very sensual, feminine element to it.

Ginger and ginseng - Considered to have aphrodisiac powers because of their sharp sensual taste, and because their roots resemble the human form.

Honey - The sweetness of honey made it a rarity for ancient man. It is likely to have given humankind its first instance of alcohol in the form of mead, and its intoxicating effect has distinct aphrodisiac qualities. Bees are themselves symbols of fertility, and honey gives its name to the honeymoon period spent by newlyweds immediately after their marriage.

Mint - A Greek legend says that Menthe, a beautiful nymph, was transformed into the herb because Persephone was jealous of the beautiful scent that captivated her husband, Pluto.

Oyster - The oyster’s resemblance in form, scent, and texture to the female genitalia is renowned. Oysters have had a long history as an aphrodisiac and their reputation is well known. The pearl that is sometimes found inside the oyster was said to increase the powers of arousal, because it resembles the clitoris. Other shellfish, such as mussels, fall into this same category.

Raspberries and strawberries - Libido enhancing because of their color, their many tiny seeds, and their resemblance to nipples.

Star anise - Because of its shape, the star anise was sacred to the Goddess and therefore a potent fertility symbol.

Tomato - Also called the “Love Apple” and is regarded as an aphrodisiac, because of the prolific number of seeds contained within it. However, the name itself is the result of an accidental misinterpretation. Because they were originally a yellow color they were called “Pomo D’or” in Italy, the Apple of Gold. It was also called the “Pomo d’Moro”—the apple of the Moors, referring to its Spanish origins. From here, it was just a slip of the tongue to the French, “Pomme d’Amour,” or Love Apple.

Source ⚜ Writing Notes & References Writing Notes: Aphrodisiacs

[stalkerofthegods]

Lord Hades deep dive

Herbs • cypress, mint, myrrh, patchouli, bay, pumpkin, yew, wormwood, cinnamon, lavender, willow, oak, marigold, dandelion, rose, lily, daisies, rowan, poppy, daffodils, calendulas, salt and spices, Cypress, white asphodel, mint, narcissus

Animals• Dogs (Cerberus, specifically), black lambs, serpents, screech owls, black sheep, black bulls, moths (reincarnation, cycle of life), 

Zodiac • Autumn (dry becoming cold) – Earth – Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn, Winter (cold becoming wet) – Water – Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.

Colors • Black, grey, silver, gold

Crystal• hematite, onyx, obsidian, onyx, black tourmaline, jet

Symbols• precious jewels and money, drinking horn, Sceptre, Keys, Helm of darkness, night-time, autumn and winter, caves, mines, forests, crossroads, cemeteries, cornucopia, shovels (digging of graves, digging into dirt)

Jewelry you can wear in their honor• gold, silver, rubies, emeralds, anything metal and expensive due to his wealth and stone aspects. Any stones or metals. you can veil in muted colors in his honor.

Diety of• stones, metals, wealth, the underworld, 'winter; funeral rites.

Patron of• the underworld, stones, gems, crystals.

Offerings• honey, milk, shells or bones of animals, oolong and black tea, bread, and cake, apples, pomegranates, meat, especially lamb meat, he likes oils, like olive oil and such, a drinking horn, Black mirrors, Black cloth, dirt, dirt from commentaries, garlic, baked goods, sharp cheeses, money, family heirlooms, pomegranate mead/rum, black coffee, Statues or art of Cerberus, small fossils, art is drawn or for him, Shredded snakeskin, owl/vulture feathers., sheded dog fur (good origin hair, no stealing/shaving ur dog simply to give it to him), scales (balance scales), cornucopia, coins, 

Devotional•  saving money, spending responsibly, donating to charities for the dead, cleaning graveyards and gravestones (properly, respectfully, with permission for both the dead and the owners of the property), Offerings to the dead, as well as money to the spirits of the dead to let them pass on, collecting expensive jewels and crystals/stones, making an altar to tend dead spirits, Studying other cultures’ burial methods and cemetery rites, do a job for cementary, do mortuary or funeral services as a job (for the summer, or for how long u want in his honor), treat spirits kindly and help them move on, do ancestral worship, worship your land spirits in his honor, growing deathly plants (safely), writing poetry/stories for him, donate to those who can't afford a funeral, help with funerals, donate to suicide prevention organizations (that are trustworthy), donate to dog shelters, walk dogs in his honor, work at a dog shelter or babysitting dogs in his honor, visit caves that let you mine for stones/gems, make a playlist for him and hum/sing it in his honor, start a coin collection, 

Ephithets•  ‘Renowned’, ‘Good Counsellor’, ‘the Beautiful‐haired One’, ‘Of Good Repute’, ‘Leader of the People’, ‘Lord over All’, ‘Receiver of Many’, ‘Host to Many’ and Pluton (‘Wealth’). 

Equivalents (alike but not the same)• Pluto, Dis Pater, Orcus

They are reaching out• seeing dead animals or funeral symbols, seeing his symbols everywhere, smelling pomegranates, getting more job opportunities. He and his wife are usually a package deal.

Vows/omans• taking care of the underworld, marriage vows

Number• 6 (not seeing his wife for 6 months, then seeing her for 6 months), and commonly associated with death

Morals• lawfully neutral

Courting• Lady Persephone

Past lovers/crushes• Leuce, Minthe, Theophile

Personality• Like a working dad hanging up your macaroni on his desk, he is very formal and has a sweet spot.

Home• hades/hadestown (he lives in the underworld but is allowed up to Mount Olympus

Mortal or immortal • immortal

Fact• Due to being a Cathonic god you cannot eat after them, you dispose of offerings into water into the ground, and him and his wife Persephone are usually together.

Curses• being broke, losing money, being unable to pass on, losing your job.

Blessings• more money, getting more job opportunities, getting more money.

Roots• "the unseen" which An extensive section of Plato's dialogue 'Cratylus' is devoted to the etymology of the god's name, the 'unseen one', in which Socrates is arguing for a folk etymology not from "unseen" but from "his knowledge (eidenai) of all noble things", you can see he originated from the greek region.

Friends• Persephone, Zeus, Poseidon, Hestia, hermes, Artemis, Apollo, Athena, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, all the Olympians

Parentage• Cronos, Rhea

Siblings• Zeus, Poseidon, Demeter, Hera, and Hestia.

Pet• Cerberus, in his chariot four black steeds Orphnaeus (savage and fleet), Aethon (swifter than an arrow), great Nyctaeus (proud glory of Hell's steeds), and Alastor (branded with the mark of Dis).

Children • Macaria, and in some cases Zagreus, Dionysus, and the Erinyes

Appearance in astral or gen• black hair, crown, kings coat, with a beard and with his scepter

Festivals • Halloween, The Chthonia Fertility Rites

Season • fall, winter 

Day •  Saturday, Tuesday, or Monday would be good, but he doesn't have an official day.

Status• King of the underworld, an olympion.

What angers them• disrespect to their family (wife, kids, etc), insulting the dead, messing with graveyards

The music they like• he likes old-timey, death music, I was listening to a playlist and there was a lot of goth music!

Planet• pluto

Tarot cards• death, the devil (and personally the chariot and the emperor)

Reminds me of• hot coca, death, dirt, bones, dead animals on the road, and goths.

Scents/Inscene • Cypress, amber, pomegranate, and winter scents

Prayers• 

1.

Great Hades, master of the dark afterworld, honored host of our beloved dead, husband of fair-haired Persephone, holder of the riches of the deep earth, eldest son of full-hearted Rhea and Cronus of the shining sickle, I praise you. Hades, kind one, unyielding one, gracious granter of respite to the suffering, of welcome to those who have passed from our world, I thank you for your gift of shelter and hospitality.

2.

Noble Hades, lord of the afterworld, upon your head the shining helm that veils the one it crowns in darkness, within your grasp the fearful staff with which you split the world asunder. Hades, I praise and honor you, I thank you for your blessings. Hades, holder of all the wealth within the world, yours are all the priceless treasures buried in the earth’s deep bones, the silver and the gold, the copper and the iron, the many-colored gems. I praise and honor you, I thank you for your blessings. Within your realm, O Hades, are treasures too of life and abundance. The precious seeds of fruit and grain, the soft black soil that clings to root and leaf, without these gifts would mankind fail to flourish. I praise and honor you, I thank you for your blessings. Kindly host of the dead, receiver of all who pass from the earth into your deep, abyssal realm, granter of rest for the weary, sweet reunion for those too long parted by your well-wrought gates. I praise and honor you, I thank you for your blessings. Fair-minded Hades, even-handed one who holds in hand the lot of all whose earthly lives have ended. The greatest of kings, the lowest of beggars, all receive reward or sanction by your will. I praise and honor you, I thank you for your blessings.

3.

Great Hades, master of the darkened deep, master of the realm beneath our feet who hears the echoes of our steps, who takes the echoes of our lives. Hades, you know the need for an end to life, you know the worth of a well-deserved rest, you know the thanks of men and women weary from long lives of worry and toil, you know the joy of sweet reunion as friends long parted join together once again within your storied land. The dim and misty underworld is yours, O Hades; yours are the Fields of Asphodel, yours the endless pits of Tartarus in which are cast the wicked and the vile. Yours too are the Fortunate Isles, the land of fair Elysium where dwell the righteous and the good. Hades, the receiver of burnt offerings, receiver of the blood of beasts, well-honored god: in the end, all come to you. Hades, I praise you.

4.

Great-hearted Hades, lord of the afterworld, noble husband of gracious Persephone, daughter of the earth who shares your golden throne; advocate of the dead whose wrath falls on those who deny them due burial, or whose dishonor endures beyond the grave. Relentless Hades, agent of vengeance, friend of the Furies, long is your arm, long your memory. Lord of riches, lord of wealth, yours is the abundance of the depths, the cold, unyielding treasure of metal and stone; yours is the black dirt turned by the plow each spring, the sun-warmed soil that hides the seed. Hades, dark-haired son of Kronos, ruler of the world beyond us, inevitable host of men and women and all, I thank you for your care of those who have passed; I praise you, I honor you, I revere your name.

Due to him being a Chthonic deity here are tips for worship• You can do water in the ground, I'd personally light incense in his honor, over dirt, and let the ashes fall into the water in his honor. You can throw offerings into water into a pit in the dirt for him, in front of statues offerings were left at his feet. if you have no backyard, or any place to dispose of dirt, I'd get a bag of dirt and place offerings in it then throw it out (make him aware of it, with respect.), Offerings are often buried, poured down the drain, or into the trash (This is done to ‘complete’ the offering.), please NEVER eat after him or anything associated with him other than Kore (Persephone's overworld name, ONLY her overworld aspect),

I know he was offered blood, but please don't unless you're a devotee of Mimmum of 5 years!! that is offering your source of life and it has to be sterile and everything and is VERY VERY sacred, you're offering your life to him, so please make sure to do research and have someone help you if you do decide to.

Links/websites/sources • https://www.tumblr.com/h-x-d-e-s/190189758200/on-worshipping-hades# https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrology_and_the_classical_elements#:~:text=Spring%20(wet%20becoming%20hot)%20%E2%80%93,Water%20%E2%80%93%20Cancer%2C%20Scorpio%2C%20Pisces https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hades-Greek-mythology https://www.worldhistory.org/Hades/ https://www.worldhistory.org/Hades/ https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20111010143853768#:~:text=Epithets%20which%20euphemistically%20address%20his,Pluton%20('Wealth'). https://www.reddit.com/r/Hades/comments/17yhisn/offerings_to_hades/?rdt=60435 https://www.tumblr.com/twelfthremedy/625927031204577280/hades-offerings https://asklepiad-apollon.tumblr.com/post/182810115143/historically-accurate-offerings-to-the-theoi-buthttps://www.reddit.com/r/pagan/comments/khc513/it_makes_me_sad_that_hades_doesnt_have_a_festival/ https://greekpagan.com/tag/hades/

I use resources, I do not own the info, and most deep dives have UPG (that I use in my work.) And I only take some information from sources. I am 14, this is my hobby, I am learning but I spent many hours and days on this, and I am always open to criticism. I have been doing worship for 5 years. Please know you can use the info, I do not sue, but I will take action if this work is used without permission and not put as a resource if used in any work. without permisson and not put as a resource if used in any work, for the public.

[lokis-dark-queen]

Hot Chocolate

(Loki/Reader Fluff Drabble )

Summary: Loki is obsessed with chocolate. With your help he discovers the delectable treat that is hot chocolate, and appreciates how desirable you are.

Warnings/Notes: Very light suggested smut at the end. Just Loki being a chocolate fiend and a flirt. I count anything under 1,000 words as a Drabble.

Word Count: 964

*photos from Pinterest*

If there was one fact that was confirmed true about Loki, it was that he loved chocolate. Ever since his first chocolate candy bar, he was addicted. Like a bloodhound, he could sniff out the decadent sweet from another room. He would follow the scent to the source and then devour whatever was there. He was a frequent customer at the closest bakery to the tower. He claimed that their chocolate chip cookies were the best he ever had. Little did he know, with his limited time on earth, there were many other places with chocolate chip cookies. He liked his cookies soft, warm, and the chocolate chips slightly melted. He loved chocolate candy of any type, however, he didn’t like mint chip ice cream. He claimed that the mint tried to overpower the taste of the chocolate too much.

Here, on this cold December night in New York, flurries of snow floated through the air as they were visible from the highest rooms of the Avengers tower. Tony and his robots hung up Christmas decorations that adorned the once bland halls. Natasha and Clint decorated the towering evergreen in the common room. Thor had nearly drunk his weight in mead and passed out on the couch, his snoring attempting to be drowned out by the Christmas music coming through the speakers of the television. Through the multitude of smells including pine and cinnamon, Loki was stopped in his tracks as he walked towards the common room, the familiar smell hanging in the air… chocolate.

Loki walked faster toward the kitchen of the common room, his chocolate craving rivaling that of a menstruating woman. As he turned the corner he observed the controlled chaos of the room, Natasha and Clint arguing about where ornaments should go on the tree, his brother out cold, and you in the kitchen.

Saying that Loki thought about you would be an understatement. He fantasized about you, watched you from afar, and built up a surprising amount of courage to speak to you. Loki kept a certain distance from the other members of the team on purpose. When it came to you, however, Loki stayed away out of fear. He feared that you were revolted by him, as many were. You never made it obvious, you smiled at him, said hello when you passed him in dim hallways, you never came off as disgusted by him. Loki’s self-doubt said otherwise.

The god clenched his jaw as he carefully stalked over to you, his sense of chocolate driven curiosity overcame his hesitancy to be near you.

“Excuse me.” He speaks up from behind you with a gentle softness in his deep voice.

“Oh, Loki… Do you need something?” You were slightly thrown off by Loki approaching you. However, you couldn’t deny the way that your heart skipped a beat.

“No no, I was just curious about what you were making.”

You smile, even with your limited interaction, you knew he had a sweet tooth for chocolate. “You would love it! It’s called hot chocolate, it’s a drink.”

Not even the terrifying god of mischief himself could hide the light that came to life in his eyes, “You can drink it?” He asks in disbelief.

You try your best to hold back a giggle at the thousand year old god who was amazed by something as simple as hot chocolate. Part of you feels like you have been taking the highly beloved beverage for granted at his childlike response, “Here,” You take the warm mug and hand it to him, “try some.”

Loki was almost too eager to take the mug from your soft hands. His skilled digits brushed against your knuckles as he took it. A hot flush brushed your cheeks from the short contact.

Before he could rush the warm mug to his soft lips you grabbed his wrist, causing him to almost spill the sacred liquid, “Careful, it’s very hot.” You emphasized.

Loki smirks, “Thank you darling, however, I don’t believe it’s just the beverage that is too hot to handle.” His voice darkens.

Your stomach flips at his flirty remark. Your brain shuts down for a few seconds. You couldn’t believe it, the man of your dreams was flirting with you.

All you could let out was a childish giggle as Loki slowly raised the cup to his lips. He took an anticipated sip. His eyes close and for the first time, you notice how beautiful his eyelashes are.

He is silent for a few seconds, basking in the chocolate bliss he has just partaken in.

“That was… incredible.” He breathes out in amazement.

He goes to hand the cup back to you, however, you push it back in his hands, “It’s yours, I could never indulge myself as blissfully as you have.”

Loki smirks and moves closer to you, the people around you fade into the background.

“What a shame, it is important to appreciate the simple pleasures in life…” he places his hand on your waist, “so that the important pleasures feel so much better.”

The hot chocolate was long forgotten as a burning desire for the god burned in your core.

“What do you mean by important pleasures?” You question him with eager curiosity.

Loki scans the room before leaning to whisper in your ear secretly, “Come to my room and I’ll teach you all about pleasures.”

The two of you vacated the kitchen, those around you barely took notice at your leave. The hot chocolate sat, cooling and forgotten on the counter because Loki found a treat far more desirable than the midgardian invention that was chocolate. Well… at least for now, Loki would have his fill of chocolate later. Right now, he wanted to indulge in the special pleasure that was you.

[historiaxvanserra]

I'm back from the grave and here is my offering (a witchy azriel teaser for this spooky season)

The antechamber of the temple would have once been a great Colosseum; hung with garlands of cypress and belladonna, and lit up with the seraphic blue light from the braziers. The fragmented frescoes on the walls depict the great scenes of myth; of Diana and her, white stag, and Ennialus' defence of the mountain pass. I watch the Shadowsinger as he looks skyward at the high, domed ceilings, which many years ago had borne stained glass motifs of our people and the histories that coloured our songs. 

"It-it's beautiful." His voice is thick with an emotion I had not anticipated.

Reverence.

For this place and the people who had built it, all those lifetimes ago.

"This place, Azriel," I look to him and for a moment, when my eyes meet his, all gold and bronze, I see him as he is. "was sacred to our people."

Now, the aching chasm of the temple is something akin to sacrilege; the air tastes of ashes in my mouth. The fetor of decay and petrichor lingers in the stagnant air, like festering fruit flesh. Only alleviated by the acrid smell of incense smoke and vervain that smothers the scene like a shroud.

In the pale, sapphire light of the star, the shards of stained glass cast a myriad of blue light onto the sacred stone. From here, the world is obscured by the gossamer haze that glitters like spun spider-silk.  Like the veil between two worlds.

Azriel follows the trail of dying foxglove and cypress to the dias. He approaches with a strange caution as he regards the altar atop; crafted of find, dark marble and littered with offerings. Amphora’s of mead and wine, and coins minted with the faces of Illyria’s first princes. He can’t remember their names now. But theirs is a story Azriel and I know well.

A mournful testament of sovereignty and subjugation. 

As he approaches the foot of the altar I watch Azriel as he observes the carcass of a stag; splayed open, and ravaged. The beast’s ribs have been prized apart to show the hollow chest cavity.  An aching empty chasm, as hollow as the antechamber of the temple’s ruins. All that’s left of the beast is an assortment of crow picked bones. Left to rot and ruin in this forsaken grove. 

Movement beyond the altar has Azriel drawing his lethal blade and advancing until he is halted in his tracks by the devastating force of the temple’s archaic protection wards. 

"You must lay down your weapon if you hope to cross the threshold."

This had been a place of peace, I explain. They may not be his God’s anymore but he should know better than to reckon with the divine. 

From the darkness a woman emerges.

"Who comes here?" The voice is wane and ghostly as it echoes off the crumbling stone.

The Pythia stands before the altar shrouded in swathes of direwolf fur that form a ruff around her collarbones like that of a raven’s dark plumage. Her head is veiled in translucent spider silk that refracts technicolor in the pale light of the new moon and the lengths of her hair are loosely braided down her back and foxglove blooms are interwoven into their milky white tresses. 

"Azriel, The High Lord's Shadowsinger." The Pyhtia laughs. A terrible, awful thing, devoid of humour and full of taunt.

“Azriel son of Raphael” The Pythia corrects him, her voice a mournful howl that ricochets around the chasm of the temple. Her gnarled finger beckons him closer still, the thick yellowed nails that have been filed to a point drag against the marble stone of the altar as she retreats to her throne, adorned with splintered animal bones and dying foxglove blooms. 

It is then that Azriel casts his gaze up to the terrible alabaster eyes of the Priestess. He swallows thickly and sheaths his blade and he sinks to his knees at the foot of the altar. Judging from the glint in his eyes his father's name hits him like a curse.

“The night of Starfall,” He recounts, "I felt something- a shift in the earth."

"It scared me." His voice sounds unlike his own, a tender and aching sort of plea. 

The woman muses on his words; her weathered face twists into grim contemplation as she casts her bones onto the altar, divining meaning in their shapes. I cannot be certain that those bones foretell anything at all. But the Pythia gives him a satisfied hum and reaches out an aged palm to him. 

Azriel remains cynical as his hand clasps around the Pythia’s.

He is so very lovely in this light, I think. Swathes in dark shadows and cast in the dying light of the blue star. He looks like some dark prince of Hel.

The Priestess intones her mass and I feel the air turns frigid as her power passes through him; something dark and archaic. As she calls on the Gods of Old and falls into a dreamlike trance. The plumes of incense smoke seem to shroud her then and through the blanket of the dark all l can see are her eyes; milky and alabaster through the din. 

My Illyrian companion flinches as her grip tightens, her yellow claws drawing blood from the wretched skin of Azriel’s scarred palms. The ferrous smell of iron permeates the air and I am certain that I feel the pull of that dark power in my own chest when she begins to speak; her voice hoarse and grotesque as she calls out: 

“The thread of fate is severed and another is forged; from my power I bestow power upon you, and from my life-- life.”

[the-mortuary-witch]

LITHA

DATE: June 20th-21st

ZODIAC: Cancer and Leo

SYMBOLS: sunflowers, fire, sun, shells, mirrors, solar cross, oak trees, and spirals and circles.

INCENSE AND OILS: sandalwood, myrrh, frankincense, lavender, lemon, orange, mint, rosemary, cedar, and ginger.

SPELLWORK: empowerment, vitality, healing, renewal, honouring nature, and celebrating the sun.

ANIMALS: horses, cows, dragonflies, bees, butterflies, robins, eagles, wren, and snakes.

COLOURS: yellow, gold, orange, red, green, and white.

FOOD: fruit and berries, vegetables, grains, honey, dairy, mead, wine, juices, and frozen treats.

DEITIES: Gaia, Freyja, Sol, Lugh, Sulis, Apollo, Belenus, Lucifer, Danu, Hestia, Asmodeus, Hades, and Ra.

HERBS AND FLOWERS: sunflowers, St. Johns wort, lavender, chamomile, calendula, rosemary, mugwort, lemon balm, vervain, yarrow, honeysuckle, and basil. 

CRYSTALS AND STONES: sunstone, citrine, tigers eye, lapis lazuli, carnelian, amber, and quartz.

[lal-ffxiv]

🍷What is their drink of choice? Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic?

"Hm, another glass before bed wouldn't hurt me."

alcoholic - Wine. Asdis's parents were sommeliers (at least a close as they could be being hands on the royal plantations.) non-alcoholic - Water. Asdis grew up during a drought. There is very little to this day that is more refreshing than a clean, cool glass of water.

"What's wrong with having a drink every now and then?" "The only brew I'll be having tonight is tea, thank you."

alcoholic - Luken's has had the whole shelf top to bottom. Sour Red, Fermented Juice, Stingbrew were good enough for him. He does miss having a dark stout or brandy some days. It might even tempt him a bit. non-alcoholic - Buckwheat Tea is what Luken is brewing for himself now days. He is still learning what blends he likes though, so has yet to call one tea his favorite.

Let's order some drinks for everyone!

alcoholic - Luka is a social drinker, so they will have what everyone else is drinking. But can one have Quicksand’s Homemade Honey Wine as their first drink and not favor mead above an ale? Luka's favorite mead though would be Fullflower Mead. non-alcoholic - Juice! Sweet and simple of any kind. A close second is Mint Lassi.

Thank you @hares-and-hounds for the question! Hope its okay that I answered for everyone!

From this ask meme

[astarionposting]

Thank you @korcariiwitch for tagging me <3

20 TAV/OC QUESTIONS

[img credit]

I. what do they smell like at their freshest? (and/or after a tenday. your choice)

mint, lavender, rosemary and a hint of vanilla.

II. what would their blood taste like to vampires?

i dunno, like blood usually does lol, or whatever blood with a lot of wine in it tastes like.. maybe she'd get them drunk

III. how would they kiss their LI?

she is quite reserved, so gently/discreetly in front of others (or just not at all), and more passionate in private.

IV. how do they sleep with their LI (what position, does one steal the blankets, is one too hot/cold, etc)?

Always steals the furry blankets, either doesn't really cuddle bc she is sweating under the fur blanket or has her leg over her LI if it is really cold hehe

V. what does their tent area look like? where do they prefer to pitch their tent (next to water, covered on three sides, etc)?

Cozy warm tones with a lot of candles, pretty much a fire hazard, incense and oils burning, a lot of furs for her bedding area, and decorated with dried flowers, medicinal herbs and animal bones, mostly deer. Prefers to be away from water and in a more seculded/quiet area.

VI. if they had a set of dnd dice, what would they look like?

A dark navy with bronze accents. Deer/dragon style engravings.

VII. do they collect anything (gems, bottles, keys, etc)?

Medicinal herbs, dried flowers and animal bones (as previously mentioned) as she believes everything can serve a purpose, even in death.

VIII. if either, are they part of the astarion/gale book club (magic & literature) or the wyll/shadowheart book club (trashy romance novels)?

definitely astarion/gale club, but she mostly focuses on studying history and medical stuff

IX. if they had to be put in a “get along shirt” with a companion, who would it be?

She gets along with everyone pretty much, but I'd say she would butt heads with Astarion on certain things, such as always having half-assed plans and rushing into things, and maybe Sharran Shadowheart due to her own religious beliefs.

X. do they prefer speak with dead or speak with animals?

speak with the dead, as much as she loves animals.

XI. what are their thoughts on clowns?

meh.

XII. their companions are gossiping about them behind their back! who is it and what are they saying?

Not sure who would, but probably talking about her decision to get a giant septum ring of an elk post-resurrection lol... maybe Karlach, but in a good way, like she also wants to get a piercing to match

XIII. what makes them laugh? what does their laugh sound like?

A very quiet and brief laugh; I would say when she is having a genuine conversation with someone she cares about, mostly laughing over Gale's jokes. It is mostly a breathy laugh that comes out of her nose. otherwise, it is mostly a sarcastic scoff at lack of common sense/general stupidity. Having a father who barely smiled/laughed himself, she kind of mirrors the same behaviour.

XIV. do they have any inside jokes among their companions?

She isn't really the type. I also am bad at coming up with jokes :)

XV. what’s the description of their camp clothes in the inventory menu?

my mods are messed up so it just says 'not found' lol... it is jaheria's camp outfit

XVI. what’s the description of their underwear in the inventory menu?

i dont have any on her... lol NOT BC IM A PERVERT BUT BC I JUST NEVER SEE THEM SO I DIDNT BOTHER

XVII. how do they celebrate their birthday?

She is a noble lady, so probably a large feast (with lots and lots of mead and wine) would be held in celebration. A lot of music and dancing, entertainment, often in form of live competitions, are held, gifts, etc... but as she prefers the quiet, she always sneaks away as soon as everyone is too drunk to notice lol

XVIII. what modern day tv show would they binge over a weekend? do they get their LI to watch with them?

Nature documentaries lol, I think she would be fascinated by National Geographic docs for suuure, and she would probably attempt to get her LI to watch them too out of pure excitement.

XIX. do you have a playlist for your tav? if so, what’s the title + description?

I do! It is just named after her lol, I guess the songs align with her personal arc that I am roughly/poorly developing in my brain

XX. if you were to try pickpocketing them, what would they be carrying?

Probably something that reminds her of home or a loved one, maybe a stone or a small gift that is sentimental to her.

I FORGOT TO TAG AGAIN: @julietvoid, @cheekylittlepupp, @dark-and-kawaii, @punk-muffins, @anderwelt aaand anyone else who wants to! if u have already done u can ignore or u just dont have to do it at all lol

[mantrabay]

Wild Green Moss 2

Moss

wild green

top soil hue

in garden shade

sprouts

Lawn

feast of

mint colour

lifts spirit each

day

Grass

tilts in

spicy gust

one’s nose a spring

host

Scenes

abound

when children

dance on trim lush

patch

“Mead”

“awash”

“with olive”

“blades sunlit noon”

“pose”

Photographs and piece

all my own work

Extra lines in apostrophes

Dedicated to my wonderful sister Jay Pallen.

Your support on Tumbrl is always appreciated

[greenwitchcrafts]

May 2024 witch guide

Full moon: May 23rd

New moon: May 7th

Sabbats: Beltane-May1st

May Flower Moon

Known as: Bright Moon, Budding Moon, Dyad Moon, Egg Laying Moon, Frog Moon, Hare Moon, Leaf Budding Moon, Merry Moon, Moon of the Shedding Ponies, Planting Moon, Sproutkale, Thrimilcmonath & Winnemanoth

Element: Fire

Zodiac: Taurus & Gemini

Nature spirits: Elves & Faeries

Deities: Aphrodite, Artemis, Bast, Cernunnos, Diana, Frigga, Flora, Horned God, Kali, Maia, Pan, Priapus & Venus

Animals: Cat, leopard & lynx

Birds: Dove, Swallow & Swan

Trees: Hawthorne & rowan

Herbs: Cinnamon, dittany of Crete, Elder, mint, mugwort & thyme

Flowers: Foxglove, lily of the valley & rose

Scents: Rose & sandalwood

Stones: Amber, Apache tear, carnelian, emerald, garnet, malachite, rose quartz, ruby, tourmaline & tsavorite

Colors: Brown, green, orange, pink & yellow

Energy:  Abundance, creative energy, faerie & spirit contact, fertility, intuition, love, marriage, material gains, money, propagation, prosperity, real-estate dealings, relationships & tenacity

May’s Flower Moon name should be no surprise; flowers spring forth across North America in abundance this month!

• “Flower Moon” has been attributed to Algonquin peoples, as confirmed by Christina Ruddy of The Algonquin Way Cultural Centre in Pikwakanagan, Ontario.

May’s Moon was also referred to as the “Month of Flowers” by Jonathan Carver in his 1798 publication, Travels Through the Interior Parts of North America: 1766, 1767, 1768 (pp. 250-252), as a likely Dakota name. Carver stayed with the Naudowessie (Dakota) over a period of time; his expedition covered the Great Lakes region, including the Wisconsin and Minnesota areas.

Beltane

Known as: Beltaine, May day, Roodmas & Cethsamhain

Season: Spring

Symbols: Eggs, faeries, fire, flowers & maypoles

Colors: Blue, dark yellow, green, light pink, orange, red, white yellow & rainbow spectrum

Oils/Incense: Frankincense, lilac, passion flower, rose, tuberose & vanilla

Animals: Bee, cattle, goat & rabbit

Mythical: Faeries

Stones: Bloodstone, emerald, lapis lazuli, orange carnelian, rose quartz & sapphire

Food: Beltane cakes, cherries, dairy foods, farls, green herbal salads, honey, meade, nuts, oat cakes, oats, strawberries & sweets

Herbs/Plants: Almond, ash tree, birch, bramble, cinquefoil, damiana, frankincense, hawthorn, ivy, meadowsweet, mushroom, rosemary, saffron, satyrion root, St.John's wort & woodruff

Flowers: Angelica, bluebell, daisy, hibiscus, honeysuckle, lilac, marigold, primrose, rose, rose hips & yellow cowslips

Trees: Ash, cedar, elder, fir, hawthorn, juniper, linden, mesquite, oak, pine, poplar, rowan & willow

Goddesses: Aphrodite, Areil, Artemis, Cybele, Danu, Diana, Dôn, Eiru, Elen, Eostre, Fand, Flidais, Flora, Freya, Frigga, Maia, Niwalen, Rhea, Rhiannon, Var, Venus & Xochiquetzal

Gods: Baal, Bacchnalia, Balder, Belanos, Belenus, Beli, Beltene, Cernunnos, Cupid, Faunus, Freyr, Grannus, The Green Man, Lares, Lugh, Manawyddan, Odin, Pan, Puck & Taranis

Issues, Intentions & Powers: Agriculture, creativity, fertility, lust, marriage, the otherworld/Underworld, pleasure, psychic ability, purification, sensuality, sex/uality, visions, warmth & youth

Spellwork: Birth, Earth magick, healing, health & pregnancy

Activities:

• Create a daisy chain or floral decorations

• Decorate & dance around a Maypole

• Set up an outdoor altar & leave offerings to faeries

• Prepare a ritual bath with fresh flowers

• Light a bonfire or candles & dance around them

• Set aside time for self care

• Gather flowers & use them to decorate your home or altar

• Prepare a feast to celebrate with friends/family

• Make flower crowns

• Bake bannocks, oat cakes or cookies

• Hang wreaths decorated with ribbons & flowers

• Plant flowers in your garden

• Start a wish book/box/journal

• Go on a walk & gice thanks to nature⁸

• Cast fertility or a bunch spells

• Fill small baskets of flowers & small goodies, then leave them on your friends/neighbors doorstep as a gesture of goodwill & friendship

Beltane is mentioned in the earliest Irish literature and is associated with important events in Irish mythology. Also known as Cétshamhain ('first of summer'), it marked the beginning of summer & was when cattle were driven out to the summer pastures. Rituals were performed to protect cattle, people & crops, and to encourage growth. (Today, Witches who observe the Wheel of the Year celebrate Beltane as the height of Spring.)

Special bonfires were kindled, whose flames, smoke & ashes were deemed to have protective powers. The people and their cattle would walk around or between bonfires & sometimes leap over the flames or embers. All household fires would be doused & then re-lit from the Beltane bonfire.

These gatherings would be accompanied by a feast, and some of the food and drink would be offered to the aos sí. Doors, windows, byres and livestock would be decorated with yellow May flowers, perhaps because they evoked fire.

In parts of Ireland, people would make a May Bush: typically a thorn bush or branch decorated with flowers, ribbons, bright shells & rushlights. Holy wells were also visited, while Beltane dew was thought to bring beauty & maintain youthfulness.

• The aos sí (often referred to as spirits or fairies) were thought to be especially active at Beltane. Like Samhain, which lies directly opposite from Beltane on the Wheel of the Year, this was seen as a time when the veil between worlds was at its thinnest. At Samhain the veil between the worlds of the living & the dead is thin enough that we can connect & convene with our beloved dead, here at Beltane it’s the veil between the human world, and the world of faeries & nature spirits that has grown thin. Offerings would be left at the ancient faerie forts, the wells and in other sacred places in an effort to appease these nature spirits to ensure a successful growing season.

Some believe this is when The Goddess is now the Mother & the God is seen as the Green Man or the wild stag. It celebrates the symbolic union, mating or marriage of the Goddess & God & heralds in the coming summer months. It represents life rather than Samhain on the opposite side of the Wheel of the Year.

Other Celebrations:

• Rosealia- May 23rd

Rosalia or Rosaria was a festival of roses celebrated on various dates, primarily in May, but scattered through mid-July. The observance is sometimes called a rosatio ("rose-adornment") or the dies rosationis, "day of rose-adornment," & could be celebrated also with violets. As a commemoration of the dead, the rosatio developed from the custom of placing flowers at burial sites. It was among the extensive private religious practices by means of which the Romans cared for their dead, reflecting the value placed on tradition (mos maiorum, "the way of the ancestors"), family lineage & memorials ranging from simple inscriptions to grand public works. Several dates on the Roman calendar were set aside as public holidays or memorial days devoted to the dead.

Roses had funerary significance in Greece, but were particularly associated with death & entombment among the Romans. In Greece, roses appear on funerary steles  & in epitaphs most often of girls. Flowers were traditional symbols of rejuvenation, rebirth &memory, with the red & purple of roses & violets felt to evoke the color of blood as a form of propitiation

Sources:

Farmersalmanac .com

Llewellyn's Complete Book of Correspondences by Sandra Kines

Wikipedia

A Witch's Book of Correspondences by Viktorija Briggs

Encyclopedia britannica

Llewellyn 2024 magical almanac Practical magic for everyday living

[esoteric-chaos]

Imbolc - Spoonie Witch Friendly

Imbolc is usually celebrated between February 1st & 2nd, in the Northern Hemisphere (In Southern hemisphere around August 1).

Imbolc is a fire festival celebrating the home, hearth, and the halfway point between Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.

Is is the celebration of the return of the light and sun. A great time to honour the coldest days and the arrival of spring.

Imbolc Correspondences

Colours

White

Gold

Silver

Pastel Colors

Herbal

Rosemary

Basil

Bay leaves

Cinnamon

Myrrh

Hay

Chamomile

Angelica

Lavender

Daffodil

Blackberry

Willow 

Edibles

Blackberry

Root vegetables

Dried fruits

Stews

Mead

Fermented foods

Grains

Dairy (specifically ewe's milk)

Cider

Herbal tea

Canned foods

Oats

Animals

Deer

Cow

Sheep

Lark

Swan

Bear

Wolves

Groundhog

All burrowing and hibernating animals

Crystals

Gold

Silver

Brass

Amethyst

Moonstone

Garnet

Ruby

Symbols

Candle flame

Seeds

Besom/broom

Brigid’s cross

Serpent

Sheep (due to Imbolc’s association with ewe’s milk)

White flowers

Snowflakes

Flowing water and springs

Sunwheel

Star

Evergreens

Spiritual meanings

Creativity

Awakenings

Introspection

Fresh beginnings

Perseverance

Patience

Renewal

Revision

Healing

Frugality

Self-care

Youth

Scents

Cinnamon

Rosemary

Basil

Cedar

Mint

Gods / Goddesses / Spirits

Brigid (Celtic)

Aphrodite (Greek)

Bast (Egyptian)

Ceres (Roman)

Cerridwen (Celtic)

Gaia

Hestia (Greek)

Vesta (Roman)

Venus (Roman)

Athena (Greek)

Demeter (Greek)

Persephone (Greek)

Aenghus Og (Irish)

Eros (Greek)

Faunus (Roman)

Pan (Greek)

Cernunnos (Celtic)

Osiris (Egyptian)

Asmodeus (Demon, personal UPG)

Need some suggestions to celebrate? I got you covered.

High energy celebrations and ritual

Astral projection/travel

Divinations

Cord cuttings

Create a Brigid’s Cross

Gardening (best time to start to plant seeds)

Make resolution(s) and goal(s) for the year ahead (I'll fight to the DEATH about my personal opinion that this is a better time for resolutions than New Years itself. Best time for renewal and goal setting)

Ritual to say farewell to winter

Make bread

Spring clean! It’s the best time for it

Low energy celebrations 

Starting a manifestation journal

Burning a bay leaf with manifestation on it

Planning in your planner

Lighting a candle in honour

Make a cup of tea

Practice self care

No spoon celebrations 

Prayer

Putting on sun lamp

Greet the sun at sunrise

Rest

How you celebrate the holiday does not matter. You can choose to do any activity that feels right. These are only suggestions and remember that you're enough no matter what.

Also please note some stuff is UPG. A great book is Year of the Witch by Temperance Alden for honouring the celebrations and if you wanted to work more seasonally. It's not wiccan based and has plenty of resources for every witch.

[thelandboundseawitch]

🌷Beltane🌷

Beltane, also known as Mayday or the "Fire Festival", is the very beginning of May and its purpose is to continue the celebration of springtime while welcoming the coming of summer. Beltane takes place on May 1st, when the Earth begins to shift into summer.

Activities

Maypole Dance

Host a bonfire

Gather flowers

Wearing bright colors

Offerings for Fae

Make flower crowns

Camping

Plant seeds

Have a picnic

Altar Decorations

Candles

Ribbons

Flowers / Bulbs / Seeds

Faeries

Eggs

Bells

Mini Maypole

Flower crowns

Honey

Fruit

Fertility / Genital Symbols

Sun

Animals

Dove

Cat

Bee

Cow

Swan

Swallow

Bluebird

Sheep

Rabbit

Horse

Colors

Red

Green

Yellow

Blue

Pink

White

Orange

Crystals

Amber

Carnelian

Citrine

Ruby

Moonstone

Emerald

Rose Quartz

Sapphire

Opal

Tourmaline

Deities

Aphrodite

Diana

Bel

Apollo

May Queen

Gaia

Artemis

Hera

Persephone

Flora

Flowers

Lavender

Chamomile

Daisy

Foxglove

Lilac

Dandelion

Bluebell

Daffodil

Honeysuckle

Rose

Lily of the Valley

Violet

Tulip

Clover

St. John's Wort

Calendula

Yarrow

Food

Bread

Milk & Dairy Products

Honey

Cereal(s)

Wine & Mead

Berries

Eggs

Seeds/ Nuts

Cake

Incense and Oils

Frankincense

Jasmine

Lilac

Rose

Vanilla

Mint

Lemon

Lavender

Plants & Herbs

Lavender

Thyme

Mint

Lemon

Blessed Thistle

Spells and Rituals

Beltane is the perfect time to cast spells, especially ones related to fertility, sex, protection, and happiness. Prosperity and marriage spells are also optimal to cast during this time, as the Earth becomes rather abundant around that time of year.

Final Notes

In some Pagan belief systems, Beltane is believed to be the time in which the veil between our world and the faerie realm is thinnest.

The Celtic people honored the gods of fertility with gifts and offerings, which sometimes included human or animal sacrifice.

The Romans, spent the first day of May paying tribute to their Lares, the gods of their household. They also celebrated the Floralia, or festival of flowers, which consisted of three days of unbridled sexual activity. Participants wore flowers in their hair, and there were plays, songs, and dances. At the end of the festivities, animals were set loose inside the Circus Maximus, and beans were scattered around to ensure fertility.

[bonefall]

Snowbird Ann here: x_x I have Fennel growing in my front yard. That stuff...it tastes like black licorice and it's stringy like celery. But when it goes dormant, it leaves stalks that would be great building materials. Med cat/builders could get a fresh stalk, soak it in water to make it bendy and shape it into whatever. If I remember I'll go out and snap a picture of the dormant Fennel tomorrow.

Fennel is actually suuuuuuuuper useful for dozens of reasons. It's related to parsley and has been naturalized all over the world because humans find it so useful.

The cats could use it for:

-Funerals This herb can be STINKY. This could absolutely be one of the funeral herbs that elders rub onto the deceased, especially since it's non-toxic.

-Cooking It's full of fiber meaning it can be a good supplement even for cats, if not consumed in excess. It's also got potassium, manganese, calcium... They can't taste sweet but that licorice-y flavor would come across just fine. It's actually used in sausages a lot.

-Alcohol If your Warriors drink responsibly. And know how to distill. Mead made from honey would still be easier but fennel was used for health tonics in the middle ages... and then eventually got used to make absinthe.

-Insect repellent This one's actually huge because the OTHER big bad bug buster is mint... and all mint is toxic to cats. This is a really good non-toxic insect repellent for warriors next to lavender.

-"Toothpaste" Not like, a PASTE but, a sort of... sticky mouthwash poultice. Fennel's actually super good for oral health, eliminates bad breath, and fights plaque buildup; and remember, Our Friends Mint & Co is toxic to cats. You can make it into an oil and help a warrior with a gum problem. It's especially good at fighting streptococcus, which is one of the most common infectious bacteria in wild cats.

-General medicinal purposes Helping clean eye infections is just one medicinal use, fennel is useful for all sorts of ailments. It's anti-inflammatory, it's antibacterial (but not as good as honey), can help with digestion...

Historically it's also been associated with helping to treat colic in babies and estrogen-related issues like menopause and milk production, which is actually NOT proven with modern studies... but I think the idea is just cool enough to hand wave the science away, I would use it just to have an herb for colicky kits. It's weird that colic has never shown up in canonical kits before!

But...

Building use?

Probably not. You've noticed it's stringy-- that's actually where fennel gets its name. Fennel = Foenum = Latin for Hay. It's more like hay in consistency than twine and would be too soft to build with.

For strong material, you're just gonna want plain old wood. Twigs, branches, anywhere you can find fennel you're also going to find bushes or trees that'll make better beams.

For twine? Skip the fennel entirely with its short stalks and just get some tall grass. Or, if you've got long-haired cats, they can make yarn out of shed fur if they collect enough of it. Better yet, if you've got access to flax? Then you're REALLY cooking with fire, that bad boy can be made into fabric, rope, clothing... Don't even get me STARTED on industrial hemp, you could weave reality itself out of that popstar. Paper, clothes, canvas, shampoo, lamp oil, rope, bombs, you want it? It's YOURS my friend--

Anyway

TL;DR stick to the herbal uses for fennel. You're better letting dormant fennel re-grow because it's better in the paws of your medcats than your warriors.