#pinoy witchblr

[brizobituin]

Indigenous tribes of the Philippines and cultural appropriation

There are one hundred and ten (110) major Indigenous groups in the Philippines. If you think you can just pick and choose beliefs from groups to suit you and you are NOT a part of those indigenous groups, you are straight up appropriating our culture. Most tribes that have survived, do not have legal recognition over their own traditional lands or have access to natural resources in their communities. The last thing they need is for some misinformed entitled non-native born bastardising their cultural beliefs and practices. Reconnecting involves staying in your lane and respecting that some things are just not for you. I appreciate and thoroughly enjoy reading about other tribes and what they do, but if it's not a Tagalog or Ilokano custom, belief or practice - they are not for me. Bahala na talaga (Reposted from birb app 🐤)

[bruja-engkantada]

BASIC PROTECTION: THOUGHTS AND TIPS (for Filipino witches) - by bruja-engkantada

When I first started researching and practicing witchcraft, there was one pervading tip/advice that came from every experienced witch.

That is to always learn protection spells first before anything else. This is true and important. There is a reason why seasoned witches always tell this for any starting witch who is asking.

But why learn protection spells first? Who do we need protection from?

When we practice witchcraft, we emit this powerful energy that is attractive to other surrounding energies. They might be attracted because they want to feed off of this energy, or they want to put it out. Some scenarios might be as simple as your Marites neighbor seeing you practicing, is scared, thus emitting an energy that wants to shut down what you're doing. It could be a soul/spirit/entity that is weak and needs more energy to go on. Or even a malevolent thing/person that knows you are unprotected and sees it as an opportunity to attack you.

Point is, there are tons of different scenarios for this. That's why it's important you protect yourself. After all, you are a witch who has the power to cast a protection upon yourself. So what's the harm in it, right?

But here's a catch if you're a Filipino practitioner living in the Philippines: It's hard to apply western practices here, because of our "traditional & conservative" mindset, and our common enemy "consumerism".

If you are just beginning in this practice, and you see these practitioners in social media, they have many tools, herbs, etc, and they're all aesthetic and expensive.

If that is the way they chose to express their practice, that's okay. They're not hurting anyone, they can afford it, and it's none of our business what their practice should look like.

If you do have a budget for these tools that are easily noticeable by a Marites' keen eyes, other people around you (even your family) will say this is the work of the devil and you should stop (they'll probably confiscate or throw away your stuff too).

[Note for other people: Filipinos are very family-oriented. Most of the time, even if the child is past 18 y/o, already a college graduate or even have a job, they still live with their parents. Most of our salaries go to the family budget, it's hard to save for yourself to buy things you want. This might be the norm in our country.]

So what should we do? How do we adapt if we have limited budget, or if we have to do our practice in secret? Or both?

Be resourceful, be subtle.

Remember that power resides within the practitioner, not the tools. Check for what's already available at hand. Witches before us live far away from the center of society, they don't have easy access to stuff. They are resourceful, clever, and subtle so they don't get noticed. These are good traits we can adapt in our lives as practitioners.

Here's what I did (and what I'm still doing) for basic protection. I often feel vulnerable at the crown of my head. Sometimes it feels tender after doing some witchcraft. Hope this helps.

What you need:

Your own comb (we need to comb your hair for this protection spell)

Hair tie

Handkerchief

Protection oil (optional)

All of these are normal household items. They are cheap, and they would not raise suspicion from others.

I do this spell every morning after taking a bath, or when getting ready to go out. It's more like a morning ritual now.

I put a small amount of oil on my comb. And as I mindfully brush my hair, I repeat a mantra/spell/chant in my head. The spell can be as simple as this:

"Sa pagsuklay ng aking buhok,

Tanggalin ang mga enerhiyang nabulok.

Masamang enerhiya ng kahapon malagas,

Upang ngayong araw ako ay ligtas."

The oil is optional. It can still be as powerful without it. Remember, you are the main source of power. Focus on your intention.

When you are done combing your hair. You can tie it. I prefer to braid my hair, as I feel that it's protective for me, like I'm weaving some sort of protection. As I do this, I also incorporate some mantra/spell/chant. Here is an example:

"Sa aking pagtitirintas,

Sa kapahamakan ako ay ligtas.

Di magagandang bagay, sa aki'y iiwas.

Ang proteksyon ko ay walang butas."

After that, I use the handkerchief as a veil. As I am folding the cloth and fixing it to my head, I repeat a mantra again:

"Putong sa aking ulo,

Pinapanatili akong protektado.

Masamang hangin hindi makakapasok.

Mabubuting bagay mananatili sa tuktok."

That's about it. I hope this helps.

p.s. The great thing about this particular thing, is that I get to somehow look like Filipinas back in the colonial era. Here's a painting of what a Filipina folk look like in Spanish Colonial era, by a renowned Pinoy Artist, Fernando Amorsolo.

[anoctoberwitch]

where my filipino witches at?

Hello! I have made a groupchat!

[shaynelopezofficial-blog]

Film Photographed Ara Chawdhury 

Styled by me

[vans3n]

air fire earth water #drawing #illustration #ballpen #ballpoint #pencil #penandink #art #artwork #elements #ilostrado #kadlum #elemental #fae #anio #filipino #pinoy #baybayin #witch #witchblr #chibi #anime #fantasy (Iloilo City, Philippines) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwy7X8WHVYM/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ympbjvocimr

[bruja-engkantada]

ONLINE RESOURCES (for Filipino witches) - by bruja-engkantada

Buying books related to witchcraft, folk magick practice, and tarot might be difficult for Ph-based practitioners because of the following:

Limited budget

Other people might see the physical books

Here are some resources and individuals that helped me delve deeper into my craft. Please do remember that it is important to not only have these resources at hand, but also to consume them, learn from them, and apply what you learned or what resonates with you. What we are doing is a "practice" after all.

I'm still trying to learn tumblr, so I don't know how to link yet, or if multiple links are allowed in a post on this platform. I will edit and add links once I figure it out.

TOPIC: ALBULARYOS & FAITH HEALERS

Interviews by Off the Record (YT) - these interviews are in Filipino language

Lihim na Karunungan (FB Group) - this is where you see the the real albularyos and how they work

BhesTV (YT) - this account focuses on medicinal properties of Ph plants and herbs, and also information about the amulets & talismans in the Philippines

TOPIC: PHILIPPINE HISTORY

Nick Joaquin (Filipino Journalist Writer), Ambeth Ocampo (Filipino Historian) and Lualhati Bautista (Filipino author) - research about their books. Their research and studies focus mainly on Ph artifacts, and Ph history during different colonial periods, and also pre-colonial era. You can also follow Ambeth Ocampo on FB or IG.

The Aswang Project (website) - these have blog entries pertaining to esoteric practices, mythical creatures, and urban legends from Ph.

The Pinay Writer (IG) - also here in tumblr. Their content is mostly focused on pre-colonial history of Ph. You can follow them on IG, and other platforms as well.

TOPIC: TAROT AND COMMUNITIES

Rob Rubin Philippine Tarot Authority (FB/IG) - one the tarot pioneers here in Ph. He also practices the craft.

Mysterium Philippines by Rob Rubin - the Intro to Tarot course they have is like the most official here in Ph. They do offer other courses aside from tarot studies, so check their page out.

Mysterium after Dark by Rob Rubin - a Spotify Podcast about Tarot

FB Groups/Pages - Tarot Philippines Community, Project Tarot: Filipino Tarot Community, Soluna Esoterica Ph

Legitimate Ph Tarot Shops (IG/Shopee) - LunaBrujeria, ArtemisPaints, Shelfscape... National Bookstore and Fully Booked also sell some Tarot Decks & Book Guides

Joe Monteleone (YT) - Tarot Practitioner and mentor. They have great & easy to understand lessons on learning tarot, they also have free guides on their website. You can follow them and subsribe to their YT.

TOPIC: CONTENT CREATORS (you can find them on different social media platforms)

Witch of Wonderlust (IG) - She is Filipinx descent, so you might resonate with her content. (She's a pole instructor too!)

The Mestizo Mystic (IG) - He is Filipinx descent as well. He is a Santa Muerte Devotee, but he also incorporates Catholicism/Christianity in his practice.

Chaotic Witch Aunt (IG) - they are Italian Folk Practitioner. But since their practice is kind of related to our dominating religion here in Ph, you might resonate with their content as well.

These are some of the free and accessible resources out there, and people who you can follow. I hope I was able to help. Please correct me if there are any wrong or outdated information above.

Books are awesome resources. But while we're trying to save up funds, you can follow these amazing people, join public communities, and learn from free resources. Give thanks and appreciation by following & interacting with their socials.

It is great to learn from experienced and expert individuals, but your practice is unique and your own. I hope you also find the style/type of practice that would best suit you.

[bruja-engkantada]

Hello, tumblr!

I'm Nikka, 25-year old Filipina, practicing mundane and practical witchcraft.

I am happy that I have found this platform (though it seems only very few people from the Philippines use this) because it's full of educational stuff from people who are also practitioners of the craft.

Being a magick practitioner based in the Philippines, it was difficult for me to find a community I really belong to. Most people in my country are highly religious (dominated by Roman Catholic beliefs) so they are not really accepting of individuals who do these kinds of practices. Still, I know there are plenty of practitioners scattered in the country, but only few are open about their craft so it's hard for beginners to study. We really have to be resourceful so we'll learn and deepen our knowledge.

Most Ph-based practitioners choose not to share their knowledge to seekers of the craft. While I understand that it is for the seeker's safety (they say "this stuff is dangerous, so we don't want to share it until you are on an advanced level" or "we worked hard on our own, did our own research, so you have to do it on your own as well"), I feel that this type of mindset breeds exclusivity or a "me vs them" mindset. We are Filipinos, so we should help each other out, and bring the spirit of bayanihan back!

The reason why I am here, is because I noticed a lot of emerging Ph-based practitioners are leaning more into the western kind of witchcraft practice. This is completely okay and understandable, I am kind of like that too! It's really hard to find practices that resonates with being a modern Filipino practitioner. There are plenty of resources for western magick practices, and from our history and ancestral roots, but very few to none for modern Filipino witchcraft. That's why I'm here. I want to share my knowledge on my research about the current magick practices in the Philippines, and hopefully give justice to them on how I share them in this platform.

This idea of researching modern Filipino witchcraft practices came about when I was a beginner (I feel I'm still a beginner though, but with additional knowledge, lol). Western practices have these herbs and stuff that are not easily accessible here in the Philippines. and while learning the practices of our ancestors are really helpful in our identity, it's hard to relate to them and apply their teachings while living in this modern world. So I tried and researched herbs mostly used here in the country, watched and listened to current-day "albularyos" interviews and documentaries about rumored center-places of witchcraft activities, and so on... and all those research I tried to incorporate in the life of an average Filipino trying to survive and thrive in this country. And that's the type of info/knowledge/learning I'd like to share here.

Now that I am equipped with some knowledge, I can share them! It's not plenty, but hopefully I can make some helpful contributions for the craft, especially for starting Filipino practitioners who can't find affordable resources, and western-based filipino practitioners (hello there!) who want to know what the modern magick practice here in the Philippines look like.

Maraming salamat. Mabuhay Pilipinas!

I will try to publish my next post, the best I can. Kitakits!

[bruja-engkantada]

Stumbled upon an ig reel of a Filipino jewelry maker (una artesana) where she talks about different amulets and medallions in the Philippines.

Feeling inspired by it, so I might post about a research I did way back about Filipino amulets.