keeping box

Asking for help with a health problem

This ritual is to be performed when you're struggling with a health problem or an injury. It's designed to require very few supplies, but it's possible to build around it and adapt it to one's specific needs.

You will need:

A drink to offer Her. I suggest alcohol or tea, but anything will do, as long as it's offered with intent. In my experience, herbal teas seem to be Her favorites.

A glass to offer the drink in, and one for yourself to drink from.

A piece of wood on which to carve your rune work. It must be light and small enough to carry around, in case you want to use it as an amulet.

A carving tool you can confidently use (pens or pocket knives do the work perfectly)

A bowl of saltwater. Ideally, water drawn from a body of water, but it's also possible to simply add salt to water from home.

Optional but a great idea: Candles and incense to light during the ritual. Cedar, chamomile, lemon balm and sage are the herbs that I associate with her most, so I generally pick the incense in accordance.

As an aside, instead of rune carving, you can write the runes onto your skin using a green or black pen. It's a method I love to use at a pinch!

How to proceed

1. Start by by pouring the drink for Eir, reciting:

"I offer this drink to mighty Eir, who sits with the helpers of gold-adorned Frigg, that She may hear my call and drive away ailments."

2. Pour a drink for yourself and make a toast, declaring out loud that you're drinking in Eir's honor:

"Kindly maiden, share this drink with me."

3. Carve the runes Sowilo, Algiz, and Uruz onto the piece of wood (alternatively, write them onto the inside of your left arm using a pen). The first, to call upon the bright and powerful energy of the sun, the second, to ask for protection, and the third, to strengthen body and mind.

ᛇ ᛉ ᚢ

4. Gently anoint the runes using saltwater, saying "Eir vígi" (Eir bless). Recite the following in order to formally ask for help:

"Bless and consecrate these runes in the name of Menglöð, divine mistress of the magical arts, of spellcraft, and of Wyrd-weaving songs. By your hand, place upon my body the protection of Lyfjaberg, that I might find my condition to improve and my thoughts to clear. High is your seat among the healers of this world, and sacred among the Ásynjur your word. Your help extend and your blessings grant for those who suffer. Eir, I ask for your help."

Ways to provide protection from spiritual and physical beings:

Make a witches bottle: They provide you with protection against curses, hexes, and spells sent your way as well as to protect your property and possessions.  

Salt circle: A salt circle provides the person inside with protection from negative entities and demons. Line your window sills and door way entrances with salt to create an impenetrable barrier.      

Iron: Repels evil.Three iron nails driven into a doorway or window sill will block negativity from entering your home. Note: Iron repels Fae!

Plants: Some plants have protective properties. 

Ask your deity for protection

Mint leaves in your shoes protects you from curses

Put pepper in protection sachets to protect against magickal attacks.

Burn bay leaves to reverse curses

Scrawl your home and clothes with protective sigils

Quartz Crystals: Provides protection.

Visualization

Paint your front porch blue to ward off ghosts:They fear water so this may confuse them.

Hang an upside down horse shoe above your door: to ward off evil spirits.

Hang wind chimes around your home: To scare off bad spirits

Nazar or evil eye: Protects your home from bad luck.   

Rowan: Two branches from rowan trees bound together with red thread in the shape of a cross. It provides protection when hung above doorways, according to celtic traditions.

Arrowheads: Placed above your door will help keep burglars and unwanted guests out.

Cinnamon Sticks: Tied over the door will protect your home.

Rosemary wreath: A wreath of rosemary bound with green thread can provide your home with protection. Add other plants that correspond with protection as well. 

Ivy: Grown up your house provides protection,

Mistletoe: Hung in the house protects it from thunder and lightning.

Acorn: According to Norse mythology, placing an acorn on the window sill protects the home from being struck by lightning. 

Pine branch: Where it for protection.

Create your own protection amulet

Place mirrors around your home to deflect the evil eye  

Sources: Charissascaulderon.com, scribol.com                                  

Stay safe and have a Happy New Year!

Power of wind I have over it, Power of wrath I have over it, Power of fire I have over it, Power of thunder I have over it, Power of lightning I have over it, Power of storms I have over it, Power of moon I have over it, Power of sun I have over it, Power of stars I have over it, Power of firmament I have over it, Power of the heavens And of the worlds I have over it, Power of the heavens And of the worlds I have over it.

A portion of it upon the grey stones, A portion of it upon the steep hills, A portion of it upon the fast falls,

A portion of it upon the fair meads, And a portion upon the great salt sea, She herself is the best instrument to carry it, The great salt sea, The best instrument to carry it.

In name of the Three of Life, In name of the Sacred Three, In name of all the Secret Ones, And of the Powers together.

Not everyone knows this, but the “Nine Noble Virtues,” or “NNV,” are not set down and codified anywhere in the lore. They were first created by members of the British Union of Fascists and National Socialists, the Odinic Rite, and the Asatru Folk Assembly.

All three of these organizations are made up of fascists and white supremacists.

Hero worship is the veneration and worship of a hero. This is done to receive guidance, protection, teach, and to possibly appease a gruesome death. While heroes (ignore if they became a god; Herakles for example) cannot give us godly blessings, they can teach us about worship, devotion, humanity, etc. Hero worship is akin to ancestor worship in a way. These heroes are immortalised in death and therefore we can be guided by them. Here’s an easy guide (with resources!) on how to begin worshipping some cool dead people.

Essentially,

Worship to receive guidance, protection, lessons, etc.

Specifically, hero worship must include someone who is dead 

Hero worship is Khthonic (Chthonic), unless stated otherwise.

When worshipping a Hero-God, the worship is only chthonic if you’re honouring their mortal, hero part. If not, it’s Ouranic.

Though, there is one hero god who breaks all the rules. I love him with all my heart and soul. It’s his thing to break the rules. Dionysus is a hero-god who is a hero despite being godly. Love him <3

Types of heroes 

Oikist founders; heroes who founded a city or people (ex: Kadmos)

Named; Panhellenic heroes (ex: Iliad/Odyssey Heroes)

Local Heroes 

Oracular heroes (not oracles, but people who died in extremely unusual ways)

How does it work?

Hero worship functions because by worshipping them, we “breathe” life into them. Through our libations and offerings, our great heroes become alive. We can invoke them and receive guidance from them. Traditional offerings and how to invoke them will come later.

Hero worship is usually tied to their tomb or grave, however for most of us this isn’t possible. For example, I worship Achilles and Patroclus, and they’re said to be buried together in a urn on modern day Snake Island in the Black Sea. Thankfully, constructing an altar/shrine is more than enough.

Another aspect of hero worship is the construction of a borthos* (plural: Brothoi). This is a hole in the ground constructed to put their offerings in, especially since libations are the biggest offerings in hero worship. These are constructed outside, and away from society. For reasons that contacting the dead is meant to happen away from society, and that having a hole in your house is a tripping hazard. It’s just inconvenient. Essentially: Borthoi are used for contacting heroes themselves.

Borthoi are meant to be in an orchard, vineyard, in a private garden, crossroads, etc. Generally any space that’s private and away from society. By private garden, you can have one in your backyard. Plus, then people won’t see you pouring wine in a dirt hole.

Hero Cultus Terminology 

Enagizen* - a) consecrated burning; b) to devote to the dead, and so make taboo, or untouchable especially for sacrifices to the gods. Though, note this only found in roman texts in this context 

Enagizen* - great sacrifices to heroes, usually used to avoid dangerous situations by invoking the hero for protection. Exclusively Hellenistic term.

Enagisterion - a place for offerings to the dead, in the past was usually the sacrifice of a bull, though note this is only found in Roman Texts.

Enagisma - Offerings given to the dead at a funeral or tomb of a dead person or hero 

Enagismos - sacrifices both to heroes and to the dead, though note this is only found in roman texts 

Enagismata - those offerings made to the dead, which thereby become polluted or anosios to the gods; distinctive festival days, when sacrifice is made to the dead, as on a feast day when sacrifice is made to a hero, and so the offering is made taboo; see enagizen. 

Epitaphios agon - funeral games for a deceased hero 

Bothros - hole, trench, or pit dug in the ground is a hollow ritual pit for offerings to the subterranean gods (chthonic) or heroes. These can be used to invoke the Chthonic gods or heroes. 

Tldr; Heroes are great and they’re here to guide/protect/teach us. Shrine good, get a hole in the ground, and vibe.

Further reading and resources!

My google doc on it

https://docs.google.com/document/d/18Fh3PZgj58qfX9WZOgDbMgF5Mh_KvXnJ7qBKOO_hZ2s/edit

Further reading and resources:

https://uh.edu/~cldue/3307/herocults.html

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_hero_cult

Study on hero cultus, 100% recommend

http://web.philo.ulg.ac.be/kernos/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/03/KS12_Ekroth.pdf

Terminology:

https://books.openedition.org/pulg/501?lang=en

For funerary practices:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greek_funeral_and_burial_practices

The trollhare (troll hare) or trollkatt (troll cat), also called puka or pukhare (pooka, pook hare), is used to steal milk, butter, other foods, or even luck from others, and bring them to its creator and caretaker. Another name for it is a mjölkhare (milk hare), and in Norway it may be called a smørkatt (butter cat). The form of a hare or cat is not apparent in the shape of the object at all, but described as its spiritual form.

The most common way to make a milk-hare is with seven pieces of woollen solv (string heddle eyes cut from loom). The legs of the hare are typically made of wooden knitting needles that have been burned at both ends. The pukhare may be constructed from things that have been stolen, for this will give it the dubious virtues needed for theft. To bring it to life, blow upon it; clapping of the hands or clapping on the ground may be done in addition. In old sources its rarely said that the troll hare is fed once it has been created, but in addition to the blood which may be part of its creation, some modern practitioners find that to keep it powerful it is best to feed the troll hare bread or blood, or some spittle every day or at least occasionally.

Once the spirit has been given its purpose it can do nothing else. For this reason people usually have more than one troll hare.

PUKHARE MADE AND BROUGHT ALIVE BY CLAPPING The pukhare is made of a broom with knitting needles as legs. It should be covered by a bridal veil and placed on the stairs of the house. When bringing it alive one should clap hands several times.

(Sweden, 19th century)

SEVEN KINDS OF YARN AND A SIEVE The pukhare is made of seven kinds of yarn and should have knittin needles as legs. It is put in a sieve and carried to a place surrounded by running water three Thursday nights in a row. On the last night the sieve is shaken, a formula is read, and the puka will come alive.

(Sweden, from a Finnish speaker, 19th century)

PUKHARE MADE WITH SOLV AND KNITTING NEEDLES The pukhare is made of sticks and solv (string healds from a loom). On three Thursday nights the sticks and solv should be brought to the church. On the third Thursday night Satan will appear by the church, and the sticks and solv will get their power and come alive. Then one must tell the pukhare what to do. If he is to draw milk, he is good for nothing else.

(Sweden, 19th century)

I’m not going to list all the botanical information about black nightshade, because it can easily be found online. Instead, I’m going to focus on my personal experience working with this plant for magic!

Unfortunately, the magical information about this plant is much more limited, so this is all UPG.

Black nightshade is commonly mistaken for belladonna! That’s what sparked my interest in this plant when I first saw it growing in my neighborhood.

In fact, they are very different plants. I’ve found a good way to tell them apart is by looking closely at the berries. You can see that the base is more small and round in black nightshade, and more large and pointy in belladonna.

(When in flowering season, they are also very easy to tell apart, as belladonna has purple flowers that are a completely different shape from black nightshade’s flowers.)

There is a Traditional Witchcraft ritual that involves dyeing bones to awaken their power and strengthen the spirit inside them (Blackening/Reddening The Bones). These berries are so damn good for that.

The juice of the berries is a rich purple… so beautiful. And they kind of amplify magic.

I have found they’re useful for anything related to wisdom, secrets, and obtaining knowledge. They can make you sense and perceive things better.

It’s also a hardy plant that grows in interesting places, like on my roof. It’s tough and strong and resilient and can help you with those things too.

It’s liminal. I see it grow by roadsides and enchanted places. It lives in the in-between.

The seductive quality of the berries leads me to believe that they’d be useful in spells to make others admire you. If you want to catch somebody’s eye, or seem important, go to black nightshade.

Here’s what I’ve learned so far from working with the plant spirits in Florida. It’s in bits and pieces because some of it is kinda hard to articulate.

I also don’t know the scientific/proper names for a lot of what I work with, because these spirits don’t care so much about the titles people made up for them 🤷‍♂️

Palmettos are great for protection, specifically physical protection. Having them growing on your property is great, especially in the front and/or by your door. I guess that could have the added bonus of warding off robbers if they’re under your windows or something.

Moss- the green, flat, moist kind. Weird. Otherworldly. Nice, though, and can be persuaded to teach you things. I don’t trust it fully. WEIRD is really the only way I can describe it.

Coreopsis- kind of aggressive. Dizzying/can make you delirious. Distraction. It can draw attention to one place and away from another.

Spanish needle- brings luck and almost aggressively banishes unpleasantness. Can bring money, though that’s not its Main Thing. Headstrong plant. Can help you be confident, too. I would suggest asking it to help with job searches to get the attention/praise of the right people.

Tropical sage- very, very sexy plant?? Intimidation and attraction. “Masculine”. Just makes you appear appealing and confident. Pairs well with patchouli??

Longleaf pine- Acts as a conduit to underworld and also offers protection and guidance. Wise.

Oak- healing, emotional healing, love and kindness. Acts as a conduit to underworld. Promotes bonding and niceness between the witch and the spirits. Like a mediator. Of love. Really great for soothing and comforting the dead.

Cypress- very otherworldly/spirity

Links to more stuff

Pennywort/dollarweed

Black nightshade

Brynhildr:

She is a shieldmaiden and also the daughter of Budli. Her name means Bright Battle

Eir:

She is a Goddess and or a Valkyrie, she is associated with medical skills. Her name means Peace, Clemency, Help, or Mercy

Geiravör:

Her name means Spear Goddess

Geirdriful:

Her name means Spear Finger

Geirönul:

Her name means the one charging forth with the spear

Geirskögul:

They are two separate or an individual Valkyrie, the name means Spear Skögul and Skögul: Shaker or High Towering.

Göll:

The name means Tumult, or Noise Battle.

Göndul:

The name means Wand Wielder.

Gunnr:

The name means War or Battle.

Herfjötur:

The name means Host Fetter or Fetter of the Army.

Herja:

The name means Devastate

Hlaðguðr svanhvít:

She is the sister of the Valkyrie Hervör alvitr, her name means Swan White.

Hildr:

She has the power to revive the dead on the battlefields, and use it to maintain the everlasting battle between Hedin and Högni, her name means Battle.

Hjalmprimul:

Her name means Helmey Clatterer, or Female Warrior.

Hervör alvitr:

She is the sister of the Valkyrie Hlaðguðr svanhvít, her name means All Wise, or Strange Creature.

Hjörprimul:

Her name means The Sword Warrioress.

Hlökk:

Her name means Noise, Battle.

Hrist:

Her name means Shake, Quake, The Quaking one.

Hrund:

Her name means Pricker.

Kara:

Her name means The Wild, or Stormy One.

Mist:

Her name means Cloud or Mist.

Ölrun:

Her name means Ale Rune.

Randgrid:

Also spelled Randgrior, her name means Shield Truce, or Shield Destroyer.

Ráðgríðr:

Her name means Council Truce, The Bossy.

Reginleif:

Her name means Power Trace, or Daughter of the Gods.

Rota:

Her name means Sleet and Storm.

Sanngrior:

She was the mentor of the Norse hero Sigurd, her name means Very Violent, Very Cruel.

Sigrun:

Her name means Victory Rune.

Skalmöid:

Her name means Sword Time.

Skeggöld:

Her name means Axe Age.

Skuld:

Her name means Dept or Future.

Sveid:

Her name means Vibration or Noise.

Svipul:

Her name means Changeable.

Tögn:

Her name means Silence.

Trima:

Her name means Fight.

Thrud:

Essential oil free!

sun·burst-

1. A sudden burst of sunlight, as through broken clouds

I just made my batch for this winter and I thought I'd share this recipe with you!

Good for: Physical Healing, Protection, Divination, Happiness, Love, Creativity, Prophesy, Truth, Solar Deities

Medically: cools and softens skin, helps heal small cuts, burns, irritations, SAD, breaking fever, purifying, anti bacterial, helps relieve anxiety and depression

Ingredients:

Grapeseed or sunflower oil

Dried hibiscus

Dried juniper berries

Dried Bay leaves

Dried citrus peel

Dried dandelion root

A cinnamon stick

If you want to add essential oils you can, I didnt for this batch but In the past I've used frankincense, lemon, orange, cinnamon, vetiver, black pepper, sandalwood, and juniper

Best to grind the ingredients before adding them to the oil (except the cinnamon stick)

Makes a great offering for any solar deity like apollo, sol, helios, sekhmet

Let infuse in the sunshine for a few weeks-months depending on how much oil you're making, or if you want it faster & stronger you can heat it up until it turns red from the hibiscus

It smells so good so it's an excellent natural perfume, and it's great for your skin!

I tend to go heavy on the hibiscus and juniper in this but the amounts used are up to you.