Jaded to stone

Dandelion illustration!

high unemployment and a lot of underpaying, pointless jobs = people are looking for things to do with their life, a purpose

skyrocketing cost of living = most young people will not be able to live on their own, meaning some will end up in a group living situation with people interested in recruiting them

it's a time of great cultural and political upheaval, nothing feels real, people are desperate for meaning and human connection. cults promise that

there is a new wave of acceptance and understanding for ways of life outside the norm, which is great! ...except for when cult leaders tell you abusive and controlling practices are just their culture, their religion, their lifestyle, their beliefs, their tradition, and if you disrespect it you are the problem

social media influencers have already shown us how easy it is to build a cult of personality and attract people from anywhere in the world who are interested in the exact brand you are selling

spirtuality is having a boom, as are things like astrology, crystals, tarot, meditation, energy... those things aren't bad on their own but they are often used as tools of cult spaces

wellness. i think a lot of people are already in wellness cults. you can make people do a lot of things in the name of "wellness" and a big factor of maintaining a cult is keeping members in a state of decreased cognition..... like say, with regular fasting

SOCIAL BUFFER: Learn what healthy social boundaries are and develop relationships which are within those boundaries.

Be wary of those who step on your or others' boundaries. Be there for your friends, but don't be their therapists or parents. Go get coffee or juice or snacks & chat casually with a friendly crew on a regular basis.

ESTEEM BUFFER. Recognize that you and every other person on this planet are owed a baseline of respect.

Respect means that what you wear, what/who you take interest in, and who/what you are are things which you decide on based on your own reasoning. If anyone is trying to change your mind, make sure to think critically about their side and decide for yourself whether you want to change. Ask: Why do they want you to change? Is that valid to your situation? Who / what would benefit from this change? Do you want them / it to benefit? Then decide for yourself.

RELAXATION BUFFER. Take time exclusively for yourself.

Take care of your body and mind when it needs to be fed, watered, washed, or nurtured. Have a couple hobbies that are just for you. Have more than one interest. Think about more than just one topic. Cults keep you focused on them to the exclusion of all else, so don't allow yourself to be blocked in.

BUBBLE POP BUFFER: Learn from multiple sources, even ones you don't like or respect.

Read multiple sources' versions of events before you decide what you feel about something. Recognize that not all sources are valid, but understand what those invalid sources are trying to do. Are they misguided or malicious? Who are THEIR sources? What is the agenda? Who benefits? Why would they want to say what they're saying? Do they have a point? Who pays them? What do they care about? Then make your decision.

BEWARE THE B.I.T.E.: Cults control people via Behavior, Information, Thought, and Emotion control. BITE

Look up the BITE model and consider it against groups you wish to join / have joined.

Remember. You are the arbiter of your mind.

You have the blessing and burden of making your own decisions. Other people who will love and care about you throughout your life will want you to think for yourself and will think for themselves.

Sometimes people are just flawed, sometimes they’re well-intentioned but still growing, but that’s the point of red flags: they aren’t a sure sign of trouble, but they’re still worth taking note of & keep an eye on in case patterns emerge.

The reason I say this is worth learning and looking out for in more casual relationships is that these are mostly just abuse tactics carried out in a large-scale, more organized way. And because if someone is interested in recruiting you, they may employ these tactics on an individual, casual-seeming level as well.

(Information on BITE methods)

Seth:

Relief of Osiris

Why did invest time into a joke not very many will get?

I mean… I guess I can amuse myself anyway.

Please note that this list is written to the best of my knowledge and should not be considered an authority! Mistakes can and will be made!

Due to time/energy constraints and always learning something new, this list will be updated when needed. I’m afraid I can’t provide links within the list because of the sheer number of divinities, but my inbox is open to questions about the divinities or the resources in which I discovered Them!

If you know of a divinity not shown in this list and have the resources to back Them up, please let me know!

Personalising your witchcraft and your associations is so important. I cannot stress this enough. What works for me may not work for you ~ we’ve heard this before, but often it’s easy to just follow what source says instead of taking the time to personalise the spell.

Written by yours truly.

Dua Isis, the Great Magician, mother, friend, and teacher, who enfolds me in her wings.

Dua Wesir, Wise One, king, teacher, and message-giver, who daily strives to better himself.

Dua Ra, Luminous One, father, friend, and Lord of All Creation, who kisses my face with his sunbeams.

Dua Sobek, Lord of the River, father, encourager, and disciplinarian, who compels me to the water.

Dua Anpu, Beautiful Guardian, brother, companion, and protector, who’s love warms his eyes.

Dua Set, Lord of Storms, uncle, chaotic being, and guide, who shelters me from destruction and brings me to the oasis.

Dua Nephthys, Lady of the Beautiful House, aunt, mourner, and comforter, who helps mourn the dead.

Dua Hethert, Queen of the Dance, cousin, companion, and caregiver, who kneels by my side and heals me when I have fallen.

Dua Heru-sa-Aset, Uniter of the Two Lands, cousin, king, and counselor, who protects and tends to the weak.

Dua Thoth, Master of His Crafts, teacher, mediator, and healer, who distinguishes seasons, months, and years.

Dua Nuit, She Who Holds a Thousand Souls, grandmother, comforter, and protector, Who Does Fill Every Place With Her Beauty.

Dua Geb, He Whose Laughter Causes Earthquakes, grandfather, joy-bringer, and comforter, Whose Body Forms the Earth.

Dua Shu, He Who Holds Up the Sky, pacifier, negotiator, and friend, who makes life possible.

Dua Tefnut, Lady of the Flame, water-bringer, drought-maker, and fierce lioness, who brings life-giving water.

Dua Bast, Mistress of Splendor, Eye of Ra, protector, and friend, who brings happiness to the home.

Dua Sekhmet, Lady of Slaughter, Eye of Ra, fierce protectress, and warrior, Before Whom Evil Trembles.

Dua Amun, Hidden One, wisdom-giver, guide, and mentor, Who Hears All Prayers.

Relief depicting Tatenen, god of the primordial mound. His name means risen land or exalted earth, as well as referring to the silt of the Nile.