Save The Date : 2019.

Time for some kitchen charts to help you adult better ;)

I would love to make a movement where witches say they are celebrating Oíche Shamhna instead of Samhain but I know that it won't happen because people would rather stick with what they have known for years than the true name for Halloween in Irish but I might as well make a case here;

Oíche Shamhna in Irish/as Gaeilge is November's Eve, Halloween, October 31st. Even in Scottish Gael it is Oidhche Shamhna.

Samhain is the month of November in both Irish and Scottish Gael. Samhain itself is said to come from the term for Summer (Samhradh) and people suggest that in old Irish it may have been combined with the word for end to create Samh-ain.

According to mythology, Samhain was when a feast would be held as the governing bodies of Ireland decided on new laws and taxes. There was writings of sacrifices happening in honour of Fomorians, the enemies of the Tuatha dé Danann - a group of supernatural deities which include The Morrígan, Lugh, Brigid, and the Aos Sí which are the fair folk (bean sídhe, cú sídhe, fear darrig, leprechaun, púca, and selkie as examples). November 1st as well as a record of a High King giving worship to Crom Cruach on this day but being slain while doing so, Crom Cruach being a deity of sacrifice. Many other High Kings have been recorded as dying on or around Samhain.

HOWEVER IT IS BEST TO REMEMBER THAT MOST IRISH MYTHOLOGY WAS ONLY WRITTEN DOWN BY ROMAN VISITORS OR CATHOLIC MONKS, LENDING TO THE AGREED UPON BELIEF THAT MOST CURRENT MYTHOLOGY HAS BEEN MODIFIED HEAVILY TO SUIT OTHERING OR CHRISTIAN IDEALS.

This can be seen at the end of the tales of The Children of Lir where the children land on the grass in front of St Patrick's church where he baptises them as Catholic, they die, and he then gives them a Christian burial. Even the story of Tír na nÓg where Oisín, the son of Fionn mac Cumhaill, falls in love with Niamh, the daughter of a sídhe of the sea includes this similar end. The end of this story includes Oisín aging increasingly upon touching Irish soil, being visited by St Patrick who either Baptises him as a Catholic, Oisín then dies and is given a Christian burial OR fights with the aged old man for months and ends up burying him in Antrim without death rites.

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TL;DR - Samhain is November, Oíche Shamhna is October 31st. There is no recorded God/Deity that are worshipped but there are mentions of feasts and sacrifices, however these can be questionable as they were written about by outsiders who may have been attempting to other the Irish rituals as barbaric.

~10 Kinds Of Magical Books~

1. Book Of Shadows- A witch’s book of spells, rituals, personal feelings, etc. It is a general book for any metaphysical or religious information that you wish to put into it, among other things.

2.Bestiary- A sometimes hand-written encyclopedia or manual of mythological and magical creatures and beings, used for reference when you want to work with a non-human energy, or for general research. 

3.Grimoire- Usually filled with tables and charts, lists relating to astrological, numerical, and color correspondences; properties of crystals, herbs, trees, etc. Contains moon phase meanings and medicinal properties of plants- This one has an old-timey textbook feel to it, usually.

4.Book Of Mirrors- a special journal, where you ‘reflect’ on things going on in your day to day life, providing deep insights which are invaluable when you’re doing work regarding personal growth. Very helpful with developing personal spiritual philosophies.

5.Book Of Moons- A book entirely relating to the moon and it’s cycles, names of the moons of each month, their attributes and energies, dates of lunar eclipses as well as full moon dates of upcoming moons. Filled with vast knowledge of lunar attributes and special dates of red moons, blue moons, etc.

6.Dream Journal- Here you record the dreams you have in as much detail as you can remember, and some people draw images from their dream adventures in this book as well, since dreams use the language of symbolism and imagery. You interpret the meanings of your dreams in here too, if you wish. Dreams can help us get a glimpse into our subconscious and the more dreams you write the easier it becomes for you to remember them.

7. Book of Visions- A vision book is used with the law of attraction, it is a ‘vision board’ in book form. Put different images of things you want in life, be they experiences, physical items, money, health, etc, in the pages of the book. Open the book up to pictures of what you want to visualize having. Think of this as an on-the-go vision board, except with much more space as there are so many pages!

8.Book Of Positive Aspects- At the top of each page you write the name of a topic that you are unhappy with, like ‘the workplace’  for example. Below the topic title you begin listing all the positive aspects of the subject, and by the end of your list your emotions will be in a much better place regarding the topic. You can do a list a day or many in one sitting, it is a valuable tool for cultivating positive energy or for switching viewpoints on things that normally would upset you.

9.Gratitude Journal- A book where you write about EVERYTHING you are thankful and appreciative for in your life right now. You feel overwhelmed with love and positivity when writing in this book, which aids you in raising your vibration and frequency.

10. Book Of Intuitions- a psychic journal, it’s a book where all divination and psychic exercises are recorded, ranging from full tarot spreads, to tea leaf readings, even psychic impressions you pick up off people. It’s handy for tracking progress as well as for record keeping.

generation pluto pluto in libra (1971-1985) saw the world around them crumble when the parents or loved ones could not wear the ‘happy home and life’ mask any longer. their security was threatened by family breakdown. part of this also related to the rise of the feminist movement in the 70′s that gave women the freedom and power to leave

pluto in scorpios (1983-1996) grew up in the aftermath of libra’s family and relationship breakdown and divorce, tension was everywhere, exploitation, betrayal, or broken home is almost textbook. Closed doors were blown open and family secrets were exposed, the world was in the grip of a fear epidemic, nowhere was safe anymore and parents became paranoid surveillance camera.   an occult generation, a karmic group of mystics, witches, healers, prophets, and magicians. that’s probably why they loved harry potter so much 

pluto in sagittarius (1995-2008) ~ the world was in the grip of a fear epidemic following 9/11, borders were tightened and the media and leaders in the west were relentless in arousing the fear of migrants, refugees, and other cultures and religions the pluto in sagittarius generation’s distrust of institutions and media may have been facilitated here, because sagittarius is a sign of major ‘group think’ so it facilitates a global community especially with increasing internet access and opportunity to converse with people from overseas with different backgrounds. there is no fear in this.  but they are afraid of climate change, and ‘climate change’ has always been there for them. they have never known an earth that wasn’t ‘destructing’. it fuels their political fire. sagittarius is the sign of globalisation and calling the whole world home. how could they have faith in their leaders when they have to fight for a future to live in. higher education is also very important to this generation

pluto in capricorns (2008-2023) will harness and conserve the wisdom discovered in sagittarius and scorpio to build the new world from the ashes of the fire that began decades ago in preparation for pluto in aquarius to exhale the breath of elevated consciousness. look into the luminous eyes of a child and you will see, fortune is waiting, long lost family is returning. because Capricorn rules bones, joints, and age, we will once again hold in esteem the wisdom of age and embrace the process of growing old rather than use extreme approaches to retain our youth as we do now

Cherry

Aries Sun: Ego can be self-centered, all about action and individuality. Ego needs fuel from praise, attention, and conquest.

Taurus Sun: The ego lives in the physical world and needs to be fed by environment, food, affection, and comfort. Healthy surroundings= healthy ego.

Gemini Sun: Their ego relies on communication and information. Variety is healthy for the ego but its state can change rapidly based on info.

Cancer Sun: The ego is wrapped up in emotional security and/or understanding. They tend to keep its needs hidden. Must learn to recognize their needs. 

Leo Sun: Ego is connected to individuality, recognition, and self-expression. Ego is at the surface and is essential to well-being.

Virgo Sun: The ego can easily be neglected and abused by the desire for perfection. They are critical towards self or are overly humble. Ego can be fed with accepting appreciation and accepting flaws in themselves and others.

Libra Sun: The ego along with individuality can be lost in a desire to adapt or please others. Ego revolves around acceptance and love. Ego is strengthened by self-love and acceptance.

Scorpio Sun: Ego is a reflection of past pain or reward. Ego goes thru many intense transformations in life. Ego feeds off emotional experiences. 

Sagittarius Sun: Ego is tied to their self-expression, understanding of the world, and beliefs. Ego is fed by recognition and their ability to influence others. 

Capricorn Sun: Ego can be tied to the physical world and social world. Achievements is what feeds it. They can be harsh and neglectful towards their own ego. 

Aquarius Sun: Ego is closely tied to acceptance from others, individuality, and self-expression. Ego and emotions are HIGHLY separated.

Pisces Sun: Ego is easily influenced. The ego and emotions are connected. Ego feeds off of reassurance and closeness to others. Ego= in flux.

if you chose to wrap yourself in roses, know that soft petals are no shields from thorns

dip your head and feel your antlers, worn, moss-dripping, gouge the earth below. you are stirring things forgotten. They are dark. They are lovely.

🔔 BELLS IN WITCHCRAFT 🔔

Bells might just be the earliest form of superstitious practise that I remember. My baba attached three sakura-patterned suzu bells on my schoolbag as a kid, purportedly for good luck and protection from evil spirits – and Japan is far from the only place to have associated bells and bellringing with mystic practise. They’ve been used worldwide to ward off evil and carry messages – and in a more metaphysical sense, sound is the movement of energy through substance. Sounds have the potential to work powerful magic.

Here are some of the ways I’ve found utilising bells to be helpful to my craft. While I’m more likely to use traditional suzu type bells, your own background, path and culture will likely have its own types of bells – and as ever, bells can be ornate antiques or they can be a bottle cap in a tin can, as long as they’re used with intent.

GETTING STARTED

🔔 As with so much of the craft, if you’re new to the witching bell, it’s a matter of exploration and experimentation. Get a “feel” for what works for you and the specific bell you’re using.

🔔 It’s good practise to ensure that the bell itself is cleansed, warded and protected – you don’t want anything nasty tapping into that power. All witching tools can do as much harm as good, intentional or accidental.

🔔 A good way to begin incorporating bells into your craft is infuse them into any typical ritual that you’re comfortable with, or even just a prayer or moment of contemplation at your altar if you have one.

🔔 Give the bell a soft ring while focusing on the energy it’ll ripple and move, try to track the movements it creates and what it touches. The tone it’s sending out.  The most primal and versatile use of the bell – and what many of the below come down to – is simply another manner of physically channelling energy, giving it shape and direction.

PROTECTION

🔔 “Passive” bells such as windchimes or small bells attached to belongings you don’t want disturbed are a starting point. They will scare off some forms of spirit all by themselves, especially if appropriately blessed, charmed or enchanted. Or cursed.

🔔 Gently tolling can draw energy into a ward or circle you are forming and enforce its protective properties, or for a simple cleanse, letting the sound travel to every corner of the area you are protecting. It’s a little more “cutting” than a smoke or incense cleansing, which I view as more “gentle” forms of cleansing. Both have their uses.

🔔 Harder tolling is, in my opinion, one of the most powerful ways in which to enforce a banishing – however, it’s best to you know what you’re doing with the bell before you go bashing it about.

DISCERNMENT

🔔 Bells can have quite the effect on your perception and awareness. Ringing and then stopping, listening to the silence left in its wake, can bring you new perceptions or make things you’d previously missed obvious. Let it attune your mind and senses to something new, whether that’s in your thoughts or something with a little more presence. Visualise travelling with the sound, taking heed of the energies it touches and disturbs. Take note of the echoes – you’ll learn what they mean with experience.

🔔 A set of windchimes can let you know if something is passing through or if there’s some unusual energy afoot – and, yes, it may also just be letting you know that it’s a particularly breezy day, but that’s witchcraft for you.

CONJURING

🔔 This can be as simple as calling good energies to witching tools, spell jars, tarot decks, crystals, altars and shrines, your favourite teddy bar, anything at all.

🔔 With spirit work, it can truly help to magnify your “calling”. This can range from gently bringing your latest offering to the attention of your friendly neighbourhood house spirit – all the way to trying to catch the attention of something more. Be mindful, however. As I said, I consider bells pretty powerful tools and a call that’s too loud is not good spirit work practise for the spirit worker’s own sake. It can really help coax something out of hiding if you’re gentle with it, though.

COMMUNING

🔔 Some use bells to mark the beginning and end of a ritual, and I’ve read that in Wiccan practise an altar bell can be used to invoke the Goddess, although as a non-Wiccan, I’ll welcome corrections on that if I’m wrong.

🔔 In my experience, very simple forms of communication via bell work a lot better than anything too complex – “come here” and “stay away” have already been covered, and other than that they can serve as greetings or signals of a start or end of some practise or ritual, the opening or closing of a door, etc.

🔔 They can also serve as a warning or a litmus test regarding spirits, a signalling of your presence and awareness, lack of fear, or willingness to defend – but be prepared to deal with whatever responses these garner.

BINDING

🔔 Bindings are where you most often see that famous (clockwise) circular motion of the bell, embodying the meaning of the spell. This can be a simple binding to seal a spell or charm or enchantment, or a spirit-binding.

🔔 Personally, spirit-binding is something I do as little as possible simply due to my beliefs holding the autonomy of spirits in very high regard. However, sometimes situations arise that call for it, and I’m aware that not all bindings are unwilling. Far from it – and some spirits are dangerous when unbound.

🔔 As an animist (believing that all things, including inanimate objects, contain a spirit of their own), I consider gently nudging a spirit back into its physical form a sort of semi-binding, and that can be useful.

I’ll leave you all with a note that I am an urban apartment-dwelling witch through and through, so I understand that we can’t all be jangling away at all hours. I myself have a glass windchime in my front window that makes a distinct but muted sound when disturbed by passers-through, and highly recommend wooden ones also. I also only use my small and relatively quiet suzu bell for my crafting – one given to me by my baba herself.

Feel free to add any of your own findings, and happy tolling.

Tarot Tips

🃏 Find The Empress in your deck. The card behind her will reveal what you need to do to nurture and care for yourself. 

🃏 When in conflict or competition with someone, look for 5 of Wands. The card behind it will reveal the solution to the problem.

🃏 If you see the same card over and over again in readings, it is a sign and you must pay attention to its message for you.

🃏 For a better understanding of each card, observe it closely and form your own interpretation that follows its themes. It will help you interpret readings better.

🃏 To find out what is making you feel stuck or delayed, look to The Hanged Man. The card underneath him will show what is holding you back. The card in front of him will show you how to overcome it.

🃏 When shuffling your cards, if any card drops out of your grasp, take it as a sign and read the card. 

🃏 You do not need crystals with you to do proper readings, but a good way to cleanse your deck is to place a clear quartz on the top of your deck before each reading. Keep in mind; there’s a variety of ways you can cleanse your deck.

🃏 Often when The High Priestess appears in a reading, she is trying to tell you that you know the answers and that you should listen to your inner voice.

🃏 There is no wrong way to shuffle or cleanse your deck. Do what feels right for you!

If Brand Names Were Anime Characters

Credit: @sillvi_illustrations