keskiviikko 28. helmikuuta 2018

A for Animal Witch



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

First of all, this is just my point of few, I read a lot of blogs and did a lot of research. I wanted to gather just few things for you to get clear what a spirit animal or familiar spirit is.

Shamans believed that every being and animal were possessed with a spirit or a soul that could attracts parts of their soul (their spirit and powers) by mimicry. So, they dressed in appropriate animal furs, feathers, horns and fierce-looking masks while dancing and imitating animals. Shamans kept the same animal spirit until their death (at which time they would disappear) or passed on to aid the apprentice.

Deities were associated with various animals, Diana with the hound, Hecate with the Toad, Proserpina with the raven, Pan with the goat and Athena with the owl.  The ancients believed that animals were closer to the nature than humans and could perform rituals and make offering to their spirits at their attempts to communicate with them



Wise men and women commonly used  animals, wizards, magicians and village healers used them to diagnose illnesses, to find sources of bewitchment, to find lost property or treasure, and for other types of divination.

So what is a familiar? Animals are considered to be very sensitive to psychic powers and different vibrations, many welcome them into their circle for getting help to raise the power or help while spell casting. Familiars can aid with scrying, divination and contacting with spirits. Animals can act as a guard in psychic defence for their react to energy. Witches still uses familiars while doing their majick.

To me, my familiars has always been just companions. They comfort me and give me power, but now in that way I told before. I never want to use my little furbabies energy for something that I want to achieve. I just want to give the power, not take the power. There may be benefits for using animals for spell casting, but it is not for me. Familiars are spirit guides that helps us find the right path and choose the right decision. I want to believe that I have already met my familiars before and we shall meet again. 

For what animal witch stuff comes, other than this; nature, spirit animals and bones are a big thing in my craft. My spirit animal is a lynx (I have a tattoo for it but it is not finished so no pic sorry). But there is coming another post about bones, stay tuned for to see my collection!



Among specific animals with witchcraft associations are:

Birds/Bats: In many parts of the world, a witch was thought to turn into a crow or a raven for her night-time adventures, so they could fly away in case of an emergency. The owl has always been associated with death, sorcery and the dark side of life. In the Middle Ages, demons or familiars in the forms of owls or crows supposedly attended witches, accompanying them on their broomstick flights and carrying out their evil commands. Bats were also considered a favourite for witches
to change into as they have good night vision and easily merge with the dark night-time sky.
Cat: In folklore, a cat (especially a black cat) is associated with witches. A witch or sorcerer was reputed to own a cat as a familiar, and they were believed to embody demons who performed the witch’s tasks. Witches were said to take the form of a cat nine times (a reflection of the traditional nine lives of a cat), and they were also used for spells. In modern witchcraft, the cat is a common pet and familiar, kept for its psychic sensitivity.
Cock: Cocks were used historically for sacrifice as an offering to the gods, as it was believed to represent light and goodness. They were also used as part of spells to raise rain and storms.
Dog: Witches were supposedly able to transform into a dog, or to send a demon familiar in the form of a dog to bewitch or
torment victims. Dogs known as “Black Shuck” (or “Old Shuck”) were known in English folklore to mean a demon, and the Devil himself was widely supposed to appear as a black dog.
Hare: In the British Isles, the hare was once thought to be a witch's familiar or could even be a metamorphosed witch in disguise. The belief was so strong that if a hare crossed your path it was considered bad luck. Many stories told of hunters shooting hares only to find that they had shot witches, who had returned to human form on their death.
Hyena/Leopard: In Africa, it was believed that a witch might transform herself into a hyena or leopard so that she could attend her gatherings unrecognized by other humans.



Ox: Farmers in England, would place an ox skull in a predominant position in the house or barn to appease the nature spirits, especially if they were having a run of bad luck or sickness with their herds. The farmer would then greet it every day to keep the nature spirits happy and his herd contented.
Sheep: A sheep's wool and heart were traditionally used in witchcraft. The wool was placed in the room that someone was sleeping in, as it was believed that this would absorb the person's breath, which could then be used to bewitch them. A sheep’s heart would be studded with nails and used as a form of sacrifice in France.
Snake: Snakes have long had a predominant role in magic-making. Live snakes may be used in rituals, and the skins, fangs and venom of poisonous snakes are common in spells and potions.
Spider: In folk magic, a spider eaten every morning will provide one with great strength and power, and storms could be raised at sea could by catching spiders in pots. They were also used as ingredients in folk remedies and as amulets.
Toad: Toads were used as ingredients in brews and as familiars. Toad skins were used by shamans for the poisons or hallucinogens which are secreted from their glands when injured or provoked (depending on the type of toad, a poison may just taste bad, or it may even kill). According to folklore, toads were used as charms and amulets, in brews and magic remedies, and also at witches’ Sabbats.Toads may be used as familiars, as they are considered intelligent, easy to tame and easy to care for, and are also thought to have psychic powers.
Tortoise: Tortoise shells were used as rattles and used in healing and fertility rituals by Iroquois dancers of North America. The noise of the rattle was believed to summon spirits to a ritual.
Source



"Power animal" is a broad animistic and neoshamanic concept that was introduced into the English language in 1980 by Michael Harner in The Way of the Shaman. In Harner's view, power animals are much like the familiar spirits of European occultism, which aid the occultist in their metaphysical work. The use of this term has been incorporated into the New Age movement, where it is often mistaken for being the same as a totem in some Indigenous cultures. The concept has also entered popular culture in various forms, such as in the 1999 film (and earlier novel) Fight Club, when the narrator attends a cancer support group. During a creative visualization exercise, he is told to see himself entering a cave where he will meet his power animal. When he does, he imagines a penguin is speaking to him.
Wikipedia


"Spirit animal" An animal who chooses you or you choose it to get guidance and learning to help you through life. The Native Americans believe in this.

Do you have a familiar? What is your thoughts for using familiars in magick? Do you know your spirit or power animal?

torstai 22. helmikuuta 2018

Best blogs 2018!

Pic by Mustemorsian

Sooo, time has gone so fast. Last time I did this, was 2013! (check it out to see what kind of post this will be) Oh dear. I really liked to do this, I found new blogs and had a chance to get you to know MY favorites. Blogging community has been getting more and more silent so I want to little shake it

So what YOU need to if you wanna be part of my post, link your blog here on the comments! I will choose my favorites on different categories. Every blog will get a shoutout! So don´t be afraid if the style isn´t like mine or it is some way different. Can´t wait to see YOUR blog on this! 

Time to send your blog to my way until 31.3.2018!

Blessed be darklings!

tiistai 20. helmikuuta 2018

A for Air Witch

 
Pictures by Satu Newhouse

Air - Specifically centered on the element of Air; working with wind, using air-related tools (such as the wand, broom, feather, staff, incense, censer, pen, bell ), creating and using symbols associated with air.
Purification with air is very suitable for people with air signs – Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius – especially at times of emotional confusion and a burden of non-supportive emotions. 
Color: Yellow
Plants: Fragrant flowers, dill and leaves, acacia, anise, aspen, clover, lavender, pine, frankincence, lemongrass, myrrh, vervain, yarrow
Crystals: Topaz, amber, citrine, jasper, agate
Metals: Tin, copper
Ruling planet: Mercury, Jupiter, Uranus
The Air Witch specializes magickally in spirits, ghosts, invisible beings, travel, inspiration, dreams, wishes, creativity and changes. 

There isn´t fire without air. I am a fire element. I have always thought I am just soooo fire. But doing the research for this first post about all the witch types (I will do little bit over 50 witch type posts, I hope you will enjoy this year as much as I do!) I know, I realized how air element describes me. 

Just like air witches, I am very cheerful, I have so much energy, I seem flaky and airheaded and I like to use my intelligence. I often walk my head in the clouds and I may say things that I wasn´t suppose to say. I chat constantly, I am quiet only when I am depressed or tired. I always want to make people laugh and smile, I still may get on people nerves for that.

I give room for change, it scares me sometimes, but I still like to change my style, my type of thinking, see new people, go on new events and have this flow of new..ness. I am always working on something, I like to start projects with great energy and I am super exited about them. But my projects may lay around for a long time until I get my enthusiasm back. I want to be true to myself, inspire others by doing so and achieve my goals.


"Water rules creation, earth rules rebirth, and air rules the cross over a threshold-in other words, the gates of death. The Air Witch has a decidedly dark side and a complex character. Her focus is more on the death side of nature, due to her realm, which includes death, along with sustaining life. You can only survive a few minutes without air, but if you breathe the wrong air, such as poisonous gas, you will die immediately. Air brings disease, death and destruction side by side with life."
-Witches of the craft

This is something that I haven´t even think about but it sounds so gothic to me, sign me in! Air witches does work with the dead. Ghosts are easy to work with and air witches often uses Ouija and  pendulums as tools. The Air Witch has a talent for necromancy and clairaudience. Using storm and weather magick is common. This is what I relate mostly, because I always keep talking and praying to Ilmatar (Finnish weather Goddess), even back when I was a kid. She seems closest to me and my rain majick has never fail this far. I would really love to try make the rain come or even use something as powerful and new to me: storm majick. But I will get to that on later post and hopefully I have tried it and can tell something about that on my on behalf. But this I can say, just like air witches, when I get mad, I am like the storm but I get calm very soon. My moods changes like weather anyway, quickly and you never know what comes next.


I often use air as a purification. It is really easy to do. You can do it even when walking, just think that the wind will wash away all of your pain, negativity and bad thoughts. It will pure you and leave you feeling fresh. All new positive energy will come with the wind and you feel powerful.

About the tools.. I don´t have much air related but I have 2 pendulums and I use incenses and a broom which I made with my husband for our wedding. I have been thinking about making a wand or a staff but haven´t found the perfect type of tree yet. I don´t even know which one to use. I am waiting for it to call me and tell me, this is it, this is your wand here! Also, I would need to go for a walk in the forest more often, can´t find sticks here in my home. I also use feathers that I found outside. They are actually death related because I found them knowing someone is going to die (that year 3 died). They mean a lot to me and are very effective for my use. Never actually realized the connection of these 2.. interesting.

I took the pictures today with my friend Satu who is so clawsome and is willing to help me trough this year´s today ´s outfits and taking pictures of them. So very many new pictures coming up! But about this post, I wanted the pictures have light and lot of air, the feathers also represent air. But yeah.. this post was fun to make, so much research, so much coldness outside and so many ideas about everything and I even learn new things, can´t wait the next one!

What is your element? What is your favorite type of witch? What is your type?

Read more about Air Witches on: witchesofthecraft.com/

sunnuntai 18. helmikuuta 2018

Imbolc 2018


What inspires me the most at the moment is my witchcraft. When I think about nature, wicca, witchy things and all the little details, I just feel me the most. It is very empowering feeling. This year feels so good, all the vibes are just right and everything seems to work the way I imagine it. All the photoshoots goes so well, my way to working life is doing great, my new meds are working and I don´t just cry all the time.. I have this amazing energy in me which I want to use in creative way. 


Imbolc (pagan Sabbath which you celebrate 1.-2.2.) has inspired me to do more crafts and even decorate my home in Sabbath colors and make some certain mood in our home. To me Imbolc represent white, the white snow is so pure, there is no negativity, it is like new sheet of paper, you can write or draw anything you like. Pinterest came my life again in such a big way and I fell in love with the ideas of minimalistic in decor, just little details that makes the atmosphere. Candles, white, curtains, white. I really love the old jars that has been waiting for some new use for my crafting projects, but actually they look perfect as candle holders. After I took these pictures I washed more jars so now our table in living room will be the same mood.



This sabbath inspires me to white goth style and channel some moon energy. I am so into crystals at the moment, I just wish I have money to buy more. I want to learn more about them and make my home energy to have more flow to it. Also I am interested how to use them in healing or in my own personal life. Any gem fans out there?



I also started few bigger projects I will show you after I am done with them, but the beginning/ test run you can see in the window. Last Imbolc I gathered some wood from the forest and I finally got some string and I want some big witchy decor on my walls that I have made myself. There is also coming some dreamcatchers and paintings that I have been thinking on putting to the walls. I am so hyped about this month, can´t wait to show what else I have been doing! I am so gonna celebrate Imbolc the whole month. 






Blessed be darklings.
Be true to yourself.

sunnuntai 4. helmikuuta 2018

Ulvinde


What I have been doing? Where I have been? Well, lately all over. I am super exited about new photoshoots and using my creative energy to photos and new projects. Many of the projects are the ones I have been thinking of doing for years. This year I will do every idea I haven´t in some reason done already. No more excuses.  Can´t wait to show you the new pictures. The first photoshoot I had this year by modeling myself was these beautiful pastel goth pictures which I took with Annielina Stenberg. My hair finally came out like it should have been in the first place.



Also this year I want to try every possible field of jobs I want to do. Just trying and seeing what kind of different kind of jobs are, I think I will find my own place, finally. My rehabilitation is going super well, I can even wake up in the morning and do things the whole day. It hasn´t happen in years. I also started new medication which seems to be working, I don´t cry and I feel very stable and my normal self with all the energy. Now that I don´t cry for hours everyday, I really can enjoy life the fullest. People who don´t want to understand how hard is to live with depression, should try to live someone´s life who has it. All the pain has bring me new ways of thinking. I see way more clearly, I want to people have their own space and opinions. I don´t want to impose my own sentiment to others. Well, best friends still has their part of my emotional break downs and certain strong opinions but I realized I am me, and they are them. It feels so good, it is like I am finally free of my ego´s demand of mirroring others reactions. It still happens some times, but way less than before.



Things that lead to this were few bad arguments with my best friends, I realized how selfish I have been. I really want to be better friend. I really want to be the better me. I don´t anymore want to be anybody else. I am enough, and because I always do the stuff I love at the moment, my own company feels great. I feel happy alone and when I am with others. I hope it comes trough with my pictures, I have this certain mood about silence, peace and moody atmosphere. Altough I am not in the silence at the moment, I am listening one of my favorite albums this year Myrkur´s M. With all the eerie and almost creepy beautiful voice and with the elements of witchy sounds and black metal, I just feel like myself while listening her. I feel like going to some other world or feel like creating something. I am probably going to see her concert in Helsinki next week, If you are there, come and say hi!


"And like a shadow upon the skies fell
my evil child I listen to you tonight
I turn off the day, the storm takes hold
the kingdom of death whispers my name in the long night
they thirst for our pure blood
together we walk in the shadow of what disappeared
the useless creatures fell
but they must honor us by the foot of the tree"



Today´s outfit
Shirt: Fleamarket 
Leather pants: Vera Moda
Shoes: Second hand