#strange magicks

[evilhorse]

Something is strange here.

(X-Men Volume 7 #2)

[kdmatheson]

"PERFUME" kd matheson 2012

[crazyskirtlady]

[lunasapphire]

Anyone else realize recently that they have absolutely no friends in real life, but more just online acquaintances that you wouldn’t even know what to say to in person?

I literally hang out with no one, and I think it’s starting to affect my life

[magickpumpkin]

I know I post a lot of witchy content here (and I have plans to do more) but in the meantime, I have a witchy YouTube gaming channel if you are interested 😚 I've started uploading Strange Horticulture which is a cozy witchy plant puzzle game “Strange Horticulture is an occult puzzle game in which you play as the proprietor of a local plant store. Find and identify new plants, pet your cat, speak to a coven, or join a cult. Use your collection of powerful plants to influence the story and unravel Undermere’s dark mysteries”

link:

https://youtu.be/rhfBnPULIAA

[sorcererpoet]

Last year sometime I read Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, and I just finished watching the miniseries. This story makes me think a lot about the allure of magic, the practice of magic, and armchair magicians.

Several years ago some friends and I wrote and facilitated a multi-year ritual arc featuring Promethian energy, and our message was always essentially the same: go out and do the magic. For some it was the permission and encouragement they were waiting for, and they responded enthusiastically. For others, however, our work was dangerous and dark, and we were ultimately discouraged from continuing with the venue we were working with.

I'm not one to discourage or criticize the study of magic -- I have a decent collection of books and have gone long stretches without regular magical work. But magic needs to be experienced, and it needs to work upon the perceptions and reality of those who would work it. Reading all the cookbooks in the world won't help you when you're starving.

[thepalecrawlers]

Precognitive dreams about natural disasters.

[katdark1]

Liminality in Anthropology Applied to Magical Ritual

Let’s first look at Liminality from an anthropological perspective. Described as the quality of ambiguity or disorientation that occurs in the middle stage of a rite of passage, when participants no longer hold their pre-ritual status but have not yet begun the transition to the status they will hold when the rite is complete, by Victor Turner, the concept was first developed by folklorist Arnold van Gennep in the early 20th century and, condensed for our purposes here, applied to rites of passage in small-scale societies. Think tribal rites for a boy becoming a man.

Now, as we know in magic, liminal spaces are the places in between. We apply this to physical places, mental spaces, spiritual realms, dates, times, etc. So when it comes to liminality in magical rites and rituals, we’re weaving, and exploring these ideas together. So, as we look at van Gennep’s structure for a rite of passage, we see what parts intrinsically apply to magical ritual, and what we can learn from them.

Three-Fold Structure

pre-liminal rites - rites of separation; metaphorical “death”, initiate is forced to leave something behind by breaking with previous practices and routines (ego-death, anyone?)

liminal rites - transition rites; two characteristics: must follow a strictly prescribed sequence, where everybody knows what to do and how | everything must be done under the authority of a master of ceremonies. There is a destruction that allows for considerable changes to be made to the identity of the initiate. Middle stage “implies an actual passing through the threshold that marks the boundary between two phases…”

postliminal rites - rites of incorporation; initiate is re-incorporated into society with a new identity, as a “new” being.

…I don’t know about anyone else, but that just screams magical ritual to me.

Now, these Rites of Passage have been practiced by societies all over the world, for longer than archeologists probably know, sometimes even being led by shaman. These rites may have begun as magical ritual. What can we learn from them? In what new ways can we think of Liminality? Might being more aware of pre-liminal rites and postliminal rites bring us new oneness with our liminal spaces? Once you go down the rabbit hole, there’s a lot to unpack.

❤️‍🔥Kat

[prettywitchiusaka]

My little haul from this year's Comic Con, including a few auction wins and comics I picked up for my friend and brotherly, respectively.

There's a few more things I picked up that I left at the convention, sadly. 😅 Luckily, they were at my friend's booth, so I'll just pick them up the next time I see him.

[thana-topsy]

Do you deal in some sort of sorcery? I had the most absurd dream.

You were carving sigils into a tree.

My attorney advised me that I should neither confirm nor deny any sorcery allegations.

Do you remember what the sigils looked like?

[xfictionx0]

The Meaning of the Symbols: An Exploration of Occult and Cultural Icons

I was studying today, but couldn’t really focus. I keep thinking about the symbols i saw and what their meanings are.

So I have researched it, and this is what i have found. 

Inverted Pentagram:

More than just a star, the inverted pentagram, characterized by two points projecting upwards, is often interpreted as a symbol of evil and darkness. This configuration is believed to overturn the proper order of things, symbolizing the triumph of the material over the spiritual.

It also represents the goat of lust, its horns attacking the heavens, mirrored by the two upward points. Encircled, the pentagram becomes a pentacle, which holds central importance in the evocation of spirits within various esoteric traditions. Typically, a ritual involving a pentacle includes a series of conjurations, each increasing in potency.

Celtic Knots:

The Pentagram was made out of Celtic knots, They represent Infinity, eternity and interconnectedness.

Celtic knots are distinguished by their endless, interwoven lines that have no clear start or finish. This continuous loop design symbolizes eternity, eternal life, the nature of the soul or love's enduring bond. The designs vary from simple loops to complex interlacings.

Ouroboros:

The ouroboros is an ancient symbol depicting a serpent or dragon eating its own tail. Originating from ancient Egyptian iconography and later adopted into Greek alchemical symbolism, it represents a range of themes such as cyclicality, self-reflection, renewal, and the eternal nature of the universe.

Ouroboros comes from the Greek words "oura" (tail) and "boros" (eating), meaning "he who eats the tail."

The ouroboros, with its rich and diverse historical lineage and deep symbolic significance, continues to be a powerful and enduring symbol representing the perpetual cycles of life and the universe's inherent complexity and unity.

The Ankh:

In the middle of the pentagram was an Ankh. The ankh is one of the most recognizable symbols from ancient Egypt, often referred to as the "key of life" or "cross of life." This symbol resembles a cross with a loop at the top.

The enduring appeal of the ankh lies in its simple yet powerful design, encapsulating essential aspects of Egyptian thought, including the union of opposites, the importance of life and the afterlife, and the interaction between the divine and the mortal.

Alchemical Solar Symbol:

The alchemical solar symbol is a classic emblem in alchemical traditions, representing the sun and typically depicted as a circle with a dot in the center.

The symbol is one of the most recognizable across various cultural, spiritual, and alchemical contexts. In alchemy, it holds deep symbolic meanings related to the metal gold, philosophical and spiritual enlightenment, and the concept of perfection.

Sri Yantra:

The Sri Yantra, also known as Sri Chakra, is a complex and ancient symbol used in Hinduism, representing both the cosmic and the spiritual universe. 

The design of the Sri Yantra is highly intricate and consists of nine interlocking triangles that surround and radiate out from a central point(bindu). These triangles are formed by the intersection of five downward-pointing triangles, representing Shakti; the female principle, and four upward-pointing triangles, representing Shiva; the male principle. This mix produces a total of 43 smaller triangles in a web symbolic of the entire cosmos or a womb symbolic of creation.

Cross of Saint Peter:

The inverted cross is associated with Saint Peter, one of the apostles of Jesus, who, according to early Christian tradition and writings, was martyred by being crucified upside-down. The inverted cross is often associated with satanism and anti-Christian sentiment in popular culture.

Frequently linked to satanism and anti-Christian sentiment, the inverted cross has been appropriated by those seeking to subvert or defy traditional religious norms. Despite attempts to repurpose it as a symbol of rebellion, its origins remain rooted in Christian tradition and symbolism, serving as a haunting reminder of the darker aspects of faith and martyrdom.

Sigil of Lucifer

The Sigil of Lucifer, also known as the Seal of Satan, is a symbol used predominantly in the occult to represent Lucifer. For Luciferians and satanists, the sigil holds more spiritually significant connotations. It is seen as a symbol of the quest for true knowledge, enlightenment, personal power, and the embrace of self-determination.

The Sigil of Lucifer is a complex symbol with historical roots in grimoires and magical texts, enriched by its use in various modern spiritual contexts. It stands as a representation of knowledge, enlightenment, and the metaphysical journey.

I’itoi

The I'itoi symbol, often associated with the Tohono O'odham deity I'itoi, is known as the "Man in the Maze." This emblem is a significant cultural symbol for the Tohono O'odham people and other indigenous groups in the American Southwest. The symbol depicts a labyrinth with a man positioned at the entrance, poised to navigate through its complex paths.

The I'itoi symbol, with its deep cultural roots and profound symbolism, continues to be a powerful representation of the human experience, resonating with diverse groups and individuals seeking meaning in the labyrinth of life.

Conclusion:

The eclectic amalgamation of symbols used in the described ritual—spanning from Christian, Egyptian, Hindu, alchemical, to indigenous origins—suggests a complex layering of meanings and intentions. The inversion of the pentagram, traditionally a symbol of spiritual dominance over material elements, points instead towards the alchemical sun, hinting at an esoteric focus on material perfection and enlightenment.

This syncretism could be intended to harness the collective powers and associations of these symbols, thereby amplifying the ritual's effectiveness or tailoring it to specific metaphysical outcomes. The presence of both unifying symbols like the Ouroboros and the inverted pentagram invites a reflection on the nature of the forces being invoked. Potentially balancing creation with destruction, order with chaos.

Speculating on the creators and their motivations, one might see this as an attempt by a modern-day esoteric group to bridge various mystical traditions, possibly seeking a universal language of mystical and spiritual symbolism. Alternatively, it could represent a more personal or localized spiritual practice, reflecting the individual creator’s journey through different spiritual landscapes.

Such a ritual underscores the enduring human fascination with the mystical and the arcane, prompting further inquiry into how and why disparate cultural elements are woven together in contemporary spiritual practices. It also invites us to reflect on the broader implications of such syncretism in the context of global cultural interactions and the evolving nature of belief systems in the modern world.

By delving into these symbols and their juxtapositions, we not only uncover layers of meaning in the ritual itself but also engage with the broader dialogue about the role of ancient symbols in modern spirituality. Further exploration into other symbols and rituals might reveal additional insights into the ways spiritual practices continue to evolve and adapt in a continuously interconnecting world.

[skeletonpandas]

[mrsmothmom]

i had to ponder the orb chair and now so do YOU 🙃

[crazyskirtlady]

Let's create a potion of SymbioGnosis!

First you are going to want to get your ingredients ready:

Prepare essence of 🍄

Macerate chosen 🧬 and🦠

Fermentate mantle of🐌 and stone of🦪

Calcinate husk of🐍

Combine and distill ⚗️

Rest for 🌒🌑🌘

Imbibe🧪

Evolve ⚕️

[zoanzon]

Trying to figure out if its funnier to give Ulysses S. Grant his supernatural ‘horse girl’ powers before or after the 1868 Republican National Convention.

The former means the leading contender is suddenly so fucking controversial and the delegates need to figure out who else actually has a shot at winning the election, while the latter means I get to look at what “putting a president elect on trial for witchcraft” does for resulting legal precedents.

[magickpumpkin]

For those of you who might be following my Pumpkin Coven YouTube channel - Part 2 of my Strange Horticulture Let Play is live :3

LINK: