I Cant See Shit

Write the name on a post-it note, go to a bathroom, attach the post-it note to a paper protective seat cover if you’re in a public/store bathroom (I prefer public bathrooms for banishings because it’s a liminal space and not attached to my own home and also typically industrial-grade toilets that can handle a lot of stuff like post-its, but it’s a tough climate for trans people and public bathrooms these days so BE SAFE and make the choice you are comfortable with) and then flush the toilet and the seat protector and attached post-it away. Otherwise you can just flush the post-it anywhere or use any paper. You can also write directly on a protective seat cover if that’s feasible. I keep pens on me at almost all times. Anyway running water is a classic banisher and that’s what flushing produces, and I find it a good modern replacement for a river. And it’s nice when public bathrooms can work FOR trans people, you know?

Otherwise I tend to use trash magic/trash witchcraft (I have a bunch of posts in that tag on it plus WIP excerpts from a book I’m writing) for banishing, and it’s along the lines of the above: write name, dispose of it. Chuck it in the trash. Public trash is great because it’s far from where you live and it’s already out in the world. It’s gone now, it’s out of your life. A variant is using Pokemon Go to delete stuff from your life.

If you want to curse people who use your deadname then it’s actually pretty simple. A lot of people make curse jars because then you can stick the ingredients in a jar and then bury it or shelve it so that the curse just stays somewhere safe and away from you and does its work while you go on with your life. You can also use a box. (You can even use something as small as an Altoids tin!) But with magic I encourage you to get frisky, follow your instincts, and do what feels right and just GO WITH IT. Anyway the easiest way to target, say, your deadname being said is to write the name on a piece of paper then draw a speech bubble around it to symbolize it being spoken. Then I’d stick that piece of paper in a jar/box, and put in some stuff that will make the person who says it feel pretty shitty. A classic is vinegar. Pepper, especially cayenne pepper, hot sauce, lemon juice, etc. Things you essentially don’t want in your mouth in large amounts??? Wasabi and Sriracha are also great candidates. You can also put in nails or even thumbtacks. Rose thorns/plant spines. Sewing pins are classic. Also broken glass. (Be careful handling stuff that can cut you!) Some people avoid ingredients that mold, saying that mold shows the spell has ceased to work. Others feel the mold increases the nastiness. If you use a cardboard box you’ll want dry ingredients.

And you can also throw in a zipper to keep people’s mouth shut in regards to your deadname!

Anyway, stick a bunch of awful punishing stuff in that jar with the paper and seal it up. You can seal the lid with wax if you’re feeling frisky, wrap it all with duct tape if you want though, it’s all your style and based on what you have on hand. Witchcraft for me is about using the means available to achieve the effects you need. Then put the jar/box away. Either a high closet shelf, or bury it, or find some place to stash it where it’s out of exposure to you but likely to remain intact for a good long time.

What white people hear: never use sage ever, don’t ever buy it, don’t own it, don’t even look at it.

Look, y’all. There’s a couple of facets to my talk today.

1) Yes! You can buy sage! You really, truly can! Buy it from either native sellers (go to a powwow! Eat our food, buy our stuff, watch some dancing!) Or buy it from a seller who sources the sage from native people. Pick one. And no, buying it from 5 Below doesn’t count.

2) you CANNOT smudge. This isn’t just you “shouldn’t”— this is a YOU ARE INCAPABLE OF SMUDGING. Waving a sage stick around your doorways IS NOT SMUDGING. It is smoke clensing. Smudging, depending on the tradition and tribe, could easily have dancing and drums involved. You, as a white person, do not have the cultural BACKGROUND to even know how it works. At all. Period.

3) please, for FUCKS SAKE, stop making posts here on tumblr where you tell other white people about cultural appropriation and what they can and cannot do. Please stop, your license has been revoked because none of you bother to get the facts right. We native people are FULLY CAPABLE OF DOING IT OURSELVES. Consider instead: a) reblogging our posts where we talk about it! We’re here! We have made posts!! b) Making a post that states what we said and then LINKS BACK TO US. Screenshot with a link if you must. Stop centering your own voices in these conversations. You are already centered in everything, stop centering yourselves in a native space.

I’m tired of this nonsense, y’all.

Smudging is a sacred ritual with far more detail to it, and is a thing done exclusively by native people who often have been trained to do so. Many people I know have been exclusively trained by elders on how to do it. (For reference, I really don’t even know how, and I am a native person who has watched it been done many times.)

They’re used in Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and some Lutheran services, usually by a priest or minister.

So, could someone who is not Christian lead a mass? Give a blessing? Perhaps most similar to why white people want a smudging, perform an exorcism?

Or would that be just meaningless playacting? If you believe in any of the spiritual backing to these belief systems, yes. It would. And playacting at the rituals of a culture the oppression of whom your (very recent!) ancestors directly benefitted from IS DEEPLY AND OBVIOUSLY DISRESPECTFUL.

The Magus

The Book of Ceremonial Magic

Sixth Book of Moses

Seventh Book of Moses

The Key of Solomon The King

The Lesser Key of Solomon

Abratel of Magick

Grimoire of Armadel

Grimoire of Honorius

Grimoirium Imperium

Grimoirum Verum

Heptameron

Libellus Magicus

The Valkyrie were powerful warriors that chose who lived and who died on the battlefield. They were a race of angelic warrior women that fought with the strength of the gods and determined which warriors were honorable in their fight, guiding them to Valhalla. They were amazing and unbeatable. 

But men only ever seem to draw them as thin and golden blonde, blue-eyed with perfectly styled hair, and in the skimpiest, shiniest armor possible, built to push up their breasts.

Give me Valkyrie with snarled and matted red hair. With undercuts and thick, messy braids to keep their hair out of their eyes. Give me strong, stoutly built Valkyrie, wearing thick layers of leather, pelts, and padded armor to protect from the blows of the enemy. A small, thin, wild-eyed Valkyrie, darting between the clashing blades to strike the enemy from behind. Valkyrie with splatters of blood between their scattered freckles, and necklaces made of bone. Valkyrie that carry their muscle realistically, that have stretch marks from their training and scars from their fights. Valkyrie with clenched jaws and impossible rage. Give me Valkyrie that aren’t traditionally beautiful because damn if they don’t have more important things to be doing.

When did they start sexualizing the personification of wild, feminine ferocity? 

Actual quotes from the Apollo 11 mission:

A few months ago I missed two periods in a row and took a pregnancy test that turned out to be a false positive. I went to Planned Parenthood to get a professional opinion and with the full intention of getting an abortion if it turned out that I was pregnant against all odds. There was no fear beyond the usual nervousness you experience at the prospect of a medical procedure. There was no emotional turmoil over my decision. I know what I want and it isn’t kids. The choice was an easy one for me.

When I finally opened up about my pregnancy scare to a few friends, all of them “good” feminist women, they were almost offended over how easy the decision was for me. “If you had been pregnant that may have been your only shot at a biological child. How could you just give that up without more thought?” One asked me. “So many women in your position would kill to be able to get pregnant and you were going to just throw it away?” Another one said to me.

I am not an incubator for other women’s hopes and dreams. If I ever do get pregnant I will not stay that way just because other people in my position would be grateful to have a chance at experiencing pregnancy/birth. I’m not interested in that. I never will be. I don’t want children.

I am not an incubator for other women’s hopes and dreams 

As someone who wants to study the human consciousness I found this very interesting.

Scott Routley was a “vegetable”. A car accident seriously injured both sides of his brain, and for 12 years, he was completely unresponsive.

Unable to speak or track people with his eyes, it seemed that Routley was unaware of his surroundings, and doctors assumed he was lost in limbo. They were wrong.

In 2012, Professor Adrian Owen decided to run tests on comatose patients like Scott Routley. Curious if some “vegetables” were actually conscious, Owen put Routley in an fMRI and told him to imagine walking through his home. Suddenly, the brain scan showed activity. Routley not only heard Owen, he was responding.

Next, the two worked out a code. Owen asked a series of “yes or no” questions, and if the answer was “yes,” Routley thought about walking around his house. If the answer was “no,” Routley thought about playing tennis.

These different actions showed activity different parts of the brain. Owen started off with easy questions like, “Is the sky blue?” However, they changed medical science when Owen asked, “Are you in pain?” and Routley answered, “No.” It was the first time a comatose patient with serious brain damage had let doctors know about his condition.

While Scott Routley is still trapped in his body, he finally has a way to reach out to the people around him. This finding has huge implications.

Wild rice isn’t actually rice-it’s a grass seed that grows naturally in lakes in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and it’s been an indigenous staple food for many, many centuries. Although some corporations have taken and grown “wild rice” in paddies, it is not the same thing- it is actually a hybrid seed that is not the same quality and often sold for a higher price anyways.

Not only is the wild rice a sacred food, but is a form of Indigenous science that lets you know how healthy the water is (or isn’t), because water is life and affects the health of all people, plants, and animals that live with it. This has been belatedly acknowledged by very recent research from the University of Minnesota that the health of the wild rice can predict all health of lakes and streams.

I buy my wild rice from the Red Lake Nation and the White Earth Nation.

The cool thing about buying from the White Earth Nation is that they also have videos showing the traditional processes involved in harvesting and parching the rice, and they offer stuff like gift baskets, chokecherry preserves, maple candy, soup & pancake mix, and cookbooks which make great gifts!

What I like about buying from the Red Lake Nation is there is a massive variety and quantity of different wild rice products at many different prices! They are aware that the broken grains are not as quality, but it doesn’t go to waste-you can buy the broken grains for “Soup Bits” ($3.49) which are an inexpensive way to add flavor & nutrition to soups and stews. They also offer “Quick Cook” wild rice ($5.69), which is prepared from a lighter roast/parch process that allows the grains to cook in a shorter amount of time and has a rich, traditional flavor.

You can also buy syrups and jellies made from hand harvested hawthorn, chokecherry, and highbush cranberry there.

BUT! If you’re worried about shipping costs or like me, are disabled/have limited mobility and can’t always get to the store like you might prefer,Red Lake Nation also sells their rice through Amazon, eligible for Prime shipping. This is also good for those, Native or not, who are struggling in the community and share their wishlists for help purchasing food.(Also please know this post is only meant to share information, not to make anyone feel bad or imply they’re eating “inferior” food.)

http://www.llwildrice.com/phone/wild-rice-products.html

And put down for a bulk order orrrrr you can call this number right here

218-335-7400

And order up however you want.

Our wild rice is ALL NATURAL and supports our community members since we’re the ones who push out onto the lake to harvest and then sell to the tribe.

There are a ton of posts out there for signs and symbols, offerings and all that. Regardless, I’m making this post because Hades is the God I receive the most asks about, and this post was highly requested.

The Basics

Offerings:

Coins & other money (traditionally gold or brass, but all money works)

Stones, especially dark, jagged stones

Alcohol, especially wine

Honey

Milk or Water

Tobacco

Herbs: cypress, mint, myrrh, patchouli, bay, pumpkin, yew, wormwood, cinnamon, lavender, willow, oak

Flowers: marigold, dandelion, rose, lily, daisies, rowan, poppy, daffodils, calendulas 

Oils, especially olive oils and vinegars

Salts and spices

Shells or bones of the earth

Teas, especially blacks and oolongs

Breads or cakes

Fruits, such as apples and pomegranates

Meat (especially lamb)

Incenses: frankincense, myrrh, wormwood, sandalwood, cinnamon, rose, pomegranate

Candles: black, grey or silver

Symbols:

Dogs (Cerberus, specifically), black lambs, serpents and screech owls

Precious jewels, money, metals

Cypress, white asphodel, mint, narcissus

Drinking horn

Sceptre

Key

Helm of darkness

Black, grey, silver, gold

Nighttime

Autumn and Winter

Cemeteries, crossroads, forests, caves and mines

Ideas for the Altar:

Black mirror

Black cloth

Dark stones, such as hematite, onyx, obsidian, jet and the like

Shells

Dirt from outside, or graveyard dirt

Black, grey or silver candles

Flowers (dried works well too)

Bones (ethically sourced)

Representations of any of His symbols, listed above

Money, especially rare coins

Silver, or other precious metals

Family heirlooms

Active Practice

Worship Etiquette:

As with all chthonic deities, offerings are usually poured down. Offerings that float up (such as incense) are less common, but can be used.

Food offerings are usually buried instead of eaten. However, if need be, you may eat them.

Offerings are often buried, poured down the drain, or into the trash. This is done to ‘complete’ the offering.

This is very traditional, but I want to include it for extra information. In a temple with a roof, offerings would often be left by His feet all day and then during at night. Also, since the Mycenaean period, priests of Άδης would rhythmically pound their hands on the ground whilst praying to Him. I will sometimes tap (not pound) my head to the floor while praying in honor of this tradition.

As always, be polite. Hades will forgive any mistakes with a forgiveness offerings and continued respect.

Ideas for Active Worship:

Saving money, and spending it wisely

Cleaning litter from cemeteries, and tending to old graves

Offerings to the dead, as well as money to the spirits of the dead to let them pass on, and donating the physical change

Collecting crystals and stones

Making an altar to tend dead spirits

Studying other cultures’ burial methods and cemetery rites

Donating to burial, mortuary or funeral services

If you communicate to spirits, treat them kindly and help them move on

Ancestral worship

Praying

Devotional poems and artwork

Dedicating items to Him, such as jewelry, a wand, or a specific bone

Working with death energy and dying plants during autumn and winter

Caring for dogs kindly

Reflecting on your thoughts and emotions on death 

Helping others who have experienced loss

Frequently Asked or Requested Information

Hades can help with:

Fears about death or dying

Suicidal tendencies

Chronic illness

Money and business

Creativity

Moving on 

Releasing regrets, guilt, and past relationships

Seasonal worship and practice

Earth magic and herb work

Recovery from trauma

Spirit work, namely spirits of the dead

You DO NOT need to:

Be a spirit worker or death worker in order to work with Him

Swear an oath with Him, unless you’re 110% sure to commit

Be a devotee in order to worship Him

Only worship Him

Speak super formally to Him

Be someone you’re not in order to worship Him

You DO need to:

Honor Him

Be respectful

????

PROFIT

More Questions I’ve Answered

What are more DO’s and DON’T’s?

How do I know it’s Hades and not someone else?

I want to devote! How can I?

What if I can’t give extravagant offerings?

I can’t bury His food offerings

I feel like He’s not listening

I think I’ve fallen in love with Hades

Easy ways to start worshipping

I’m closeted, and want to devote

More tips for closeted worship

What are some modern things Hades would like?

How does Hades feel about cursing?

I was taught to fear Hades … 

What do I even say to Him?

Do you have any tips or advice for someone wanting to become more involved with death magic and Hades?

Are there any Gods Hades wouldn’t want to be worshipped alongside?

How do you pray to Him through journal?

Advice on devoteeing

An ad that interrupts a video? Fuck that noise. A sponsored post that has nothing to do with anything? God, I hate those, please hide them.

Someone we follow talking about squarespace in the middle of a podcast, without actually reading a script, just saying stuff about it? Decent, fair

Denny’s spending years posting stuff to an actually well-constructed shitpost blog on Tumblr?

We eat that shit up.

(Preferably at Denny’s.)

this is a good chance to make this abundantly clear to everyone reading this:

every corporate account on tumblr, twitter, facebook, etc– ANY social media, is not your friend.

they are copying our memes because they want to seem like your friend. because if you see dennys making a funny meme post that you share with your friends and you all laugh, what are you gonna do when you’re hungry tomorrow? that’s right. you’ll go hey, lets go to dennys! 

ad companies are smart. you have to be smarter. no business, company, or corporate account is your friend. all they want is your money. they will do anything to obtain your money. they will lie, trick, dance, laugh, party, and meme with you if it means that you look fondly at them and give them your money. 

it’s not enough for us to just sneer at old-school ads. stop interacting with tumblr accounts made by brands. don’t reblog their posts. block them. tell your friends to do the same. blacklist their brand name. do the same on twitter. as soon as you see them, turn you back. give them NO attention. 

social media is a place for us, individual people, to gather. do not allow these monstrous corporate entities into OUR place. you wouldn’t let a dude dressed as a monster can come into your home and try to sell your their shitty energy piss drink, so why are you letting them do it on your social media?

Reporter: What’s your name?

Hong Kong Protestor: Lee Chun Hei! I won’t commit suicide!

Police: