HEALTH (2015)

OG album cover under the cut

witches need to stop pretending that death isn't a part of everyone's daily life.

witches need to stop pretending that most of the world doesn't experience far MORE death in their day to day life than witches in the global west.

witches need to stop going around and calling themselves "psychopomps" and "death witches" because they saw a dead body once or twice or have been told they're wise by grieving people or because they stop to pout over roadkill.

witches need to stop using people's and animals' and things' deaths as reasons that they are somehow magically set apart from the rest of practitioners.

witches need to stop claiming that they have a special relationship with death like we do not all have our own complex relationships with mortality and morbidity.

witches who think they have a special relationship with death need to stop profiting off those claims and start working hard to prevent more needless death.

witches need to stop claiming to be "surrounded" or "followed" by death when they live in first world countries and still, clearly, think of death as dark and shocking and taboo.

witches who socially profit off other people's deaths need to start donating to people in need and people who are dying.

witches need to learn when it's time to shut up and be silent about an aspect of their practice to preserve the sacredness of it.

witches need to stop mistaking performing burial rites or envisioning the transition between life and death for being a psychopomp.

witches need to stop contributing to the stigmatization of death while personally profiting off of it and getting clout because they paint themselves as special.

witches need to stop pretending that "death magic" is somehow more powerful than other magic.

witches need to stop pretending magic isn't inherently related to death even if you don't call yourself a "death witch."

witches need to stop treating death like some arcane, untouchable, unfathomable, distant thing.

witches need to stop treating death as taboo, mysterious, dangerous, and more powerful than other forces.

witches need to accept that "death magic" isn't as dangerous as they make it out to be to look more powerful.

witches need to start acknowledging ALL death including those they cause, like the ones caused by their taxes, like the ones killed for their food, like the ones killed for their clothes.

witches need to acknowledge that ALL things die, not just animals, and consider what that means.

witches need to start acknowledging that not every death or dead thing they see is in need of their help somehow.

witches need to stop treating "death magic" as a badge of special honor.

witches who claim special relationships with death need to accept the value and necessity of lives of others and their own.

witches who claim special relationships with death need to accept that sometimes killing is necessary and consider the ethics of that deeply.

Me:

You:

WE BRING DEATH

This is a spell I designed to aid in the peaceful passing of a loved one. Reserve this for what you expect will be their final hours or days. May this spell provide them with extra comfort, peace, and love.

What You’ll Need:

A white candle

Grief support oil (I’m using Lunar Leo’s Tears to Shed), for love, release, and support

Salt, for protection

Chamomile, for comfort

Lavender, for peace

What You’ll Do:

Inscribe the dying’s name on the candle or preferred identifier. Draw symbols for peace and love. Anoint with your grief oil

Place your candle in the center of a salt circle, to protect yourself and your working.

Surround the candle with chamomile and lavender, inside the salt circle.

Light the candle and pray for this person’s peace and comfort as they pass. Pray the light may guide them. Say any last words you’d like for them to hear from you.

Finish the spell by anointing yourself with your grief support oil, and singing a song of comfort. I chose “Let It Be.”

Let the candle burn down, or at least for fifteen minutes. Then burn on consecutive days to continue to aid in their peaceful transition.