TheGoddessOfOddities

Addressing the stereotypes that exist in city magick is prob the biggest reason I wanted to start this blog. I’m going to make a disclaimer rn: IF YOU DEFACE PUBLIC PROPERTY AND GET CAUGHT YOU MAY FACE FINES OR JAIL TIME DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE. THIS BLOGGER DOES NOT ENCOURAGE OR CONDONE ANY LEGAL OR ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR.

Ahem. With that out of the way, I’ve seen The Post going around that talks about witches in the city making graffiti sigils around town. I’m not sure if any of them have tried tagging with spray paint, but if you don’t know what you’re doing you’re going to have a runny, blurry mess of a sigil that you may be less than proud to have in your neighborhood. On top of that, my local police work with every business that sells spray paint to try to catch artists, and they keep the spray tips separate from the cans so you can’t steal them and not be traced. It is super bogus. So let’s talk about some legal and/or easy alternatives for those of us without the fortune of space or resources to become a tag master, or are unwilling to face charges.

Chalk- Sidewalk chalk is a legal way to draw on public property. It’s easy to control, comes in many colors, and a bit of water usually takes care of removing it. A lot of people think that sigils are supposed to be hidden or non permanent. Chalk makes it non-permanent. Fairly cheap, legal and easy.

Sticker Slapping- If you find yourself under pressure about posting a sigil and don’t want to get caught, you can make stickers to slap up. This is a fairly inconspicuous activity and allows you to pre-draw your masterpieces and hit the road. You have two routes to sourcing your stickers: Buy blank labels at an office supply store or get some free shipping labels from the USPS if you live in America. Yes. USPS will just GIVE you shipping labels for free up to a certain number. What you use to draw matters too. Washable markers will run and fade in the elements. Permanent marker and paint pens wont. The nice thing about paper based stickers is that they are more permanent than chalk, but still not permanent. I’ve never personally known anyone that has been charged with a crime for slapping, but check your local laws if you’re hesitant. Still fairly cheap, kinda legal, and easy plus low pressure to preform on the spot.

Paint Pens/Permanent Markers- If you are artfully blessed and like living on the edge, you can invest in some paint pens or a simple permanent marker for your sigil tagging. I knew a kid that would pretend to tie his shoe and tag on grates with a paint pen. Or lean against a light pole or garbage can on his phone and quickly scribble. This is def not the cheapest route, is definitely illegal, and requires skills of stealth and art.

Cool. You have been set up with potential tools and resources to get started, let’s talk about tag etiquette. Do not tag over art or murals. This is a dick move. Don’t tag over other tags, unless you for some reason are trying to suppress or bind the artist you are covering. Try to only tag your turf. Your walk to work. Your bus. You can absolutely sigil anywhere, especially if you have found a place that brings you peace or strength. Just don’t volume tag, because this can spread out and wear down your energy.

Ah, summer. Finally. In the PNW it is always a long wait for the four months of the year that are somewhat warm and sunny. This year, instead of celebrating from a bar patio or at a grill out with friends, I had to figure out how to ring in my fave season completely solo. I mentioned that one of my biggest sources of energy is being around the people in the city, charging off of the emotions and love and fun that comes with a bustling bar and restaurant scene. So, even as a solitary practitioner, I was in a pinch due to the Stay Home order.

BUT being a chaote I’m all about experimentation and substitution, so I looked for ways to celebrate that err on the slightly more traditional side of what I normally do. I bought and ate a lot of fresh local fruit, as well as some fresh baked oat bread with a little honey butter from my local supermarket. I took a stroll through the neighborhood and collected flowers and dandelions from neighbors *NOTE: I never take flowers that are going to be missed. You can absolutely snag a sprig of lilac/cherry blossom/lavender/bluebells around here and no one will be any the wiser.* I took a cleansing bath with a flower petal filled bathbomb. 

We also live in a townhouse, and our neighbor put a rudimentary fire pit in his yard area recently, so I was excited about the potential of an actual bonfire... until it started to rain. So I lit a candle as my little bonfire. Around 9pm, my partner pointed out that it had stopped raining! So I grabbed a bottle of rose wine and we drank and talked and had a blast, just the two of us. I then had a brief commune with the gods.

For all bby witches still in the broom closet: I see you. Maybe scared about being called out by family while at home right now. Eating fruit, drinking tea, picking flowers (and pressing them <3), taking a fancy bath, lighting a candle... this is ALL stuff you can do in plain sight to celebrate without suspicion. Don’t have fresh local fruit? You have canned? Fruit snacks? Chocolate covered raisins? SUBSTITUTE. It’s really alright. This is a celebration. This is *YOUR* celebration. You can’t go wrong. No candles? Light a match or a lighter briefly to have your own little fire to appreciate for a moment. Watch a youtube video of a bonfire! The possibilities are endless  Don’t let anyone make you feel like you are doing it wrong if you don’t have access to fancier things. 

“Who are you even?”

I’m just a witch, living in this world. I’m also an artist, a cook, and a caring person who feels like there is an information gap for witches looking to practice in a less traditional setting.

“How long have you been practicing?”

Weird, blurry question. I have been drawn to my specific practices since I was probably about 8 years old. I was raised by strict Christians, so I wasn’t more free to explore my instincts until I was probably about 12. I’d say I figured out what that feeling was when I was 15, officially.

“What exactly is your practice?”

I have found naturally occurring talents in: astrology, chakra healing, divination/clairvoyance, moon worship, sigil work, candle magic, kitchen witchery, and succulent care. I mostly stick to these things. I am also a solitary practitioner (no coven) and I practice in a setting that doesn’t demand a connection to green nature.

“How do you practice magick without a natural setting?”

*before I leave my short answer, I will be addressing this more in depth as time goes on*

There is nature surrounding us, even in the city. I draw my power/center/strength more from commonly ignored energies that can be very powerful (human nature and the energies of community especially). Also, substituting objects and elements with easily accessible goods is very essential. Creativity is my most commonly used tool.

“What’s your advice to anyone starting their own journey?”