One major danger with paganism, and especially with hiking your own path is that you can stumble into situations that lead to trouble down the line. In the case of today, I wanted to mention closed practices and how to recognize them.
Types of Paths
Open Paths
An open path is one that does not require initiation, birthright, or any connection to someone on that path. This is not to say that this is not helpful but it is not something that is required. A lot of closeted witches find these, or begin by researching these paths.
Examples:
1. Legend of Zelda Paganism
2. Hellenic Paganism(in most cases, some does need intiation)
3. Most non-race or non-regional based practices.
Limited Paths
The definition I use for "limited paths" are paths that require a formal initiation or invitation into that community, through marriage or mentorship. Treat these respectfully!
Examples:
1. Many paths dedicated to "dark goddesses" have paths requiring initiation or dedication.
2. Paths opened by marriage or adoption.
Closed Paths
These paths are ones that closed themselves from outsiders due to persecution, regional context, or racial context. A lot of times, trespassing here WILL get you hurt, physically or spiritually.
Examples:
1. Hoodoo
2. Voodoo
3. Brujeia
etc...
Please do not takes these as the be all end all! Do your own research, light your own lantern, and tread carefully into the dark.
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I know that this seems silly, and the title absolutely is, but I was reminded today through a conversation with a friend about the importance of awareness of these general concepts. These are by no means exhaustive, but here are some basics.
1. Magic has Power
Magic is something that grows- wether you mean for it to or not. Some needs outside help, some grow on their own. But things can and will get out of hand if you aren’t careful or don’t take precautions.
2. Belief is Awareness
Kids believe, and they experience magic more readily. But kids lose the belief, and thus are kinda invisible to this stiff with out deliberate maliciousness. Once you start to believe it can and will fuck with you.
3. Be Careful
Use protection. Wards, superstition, offerings, prayer, whatever it takes. Keep yourself safe. When you see the magic, the magic sees you. And so does anything that uses it.
4. Fae Rules
Treat EVERYTHING as possibly fae. Owe no debts, ask no favors, treat all with respect. Otherwise you can get stuck with things you need help to handle. And not everyone can handle that. I’ve met people who struggle now with magic because they cut themselves off from it thanks to entities or attachments.
Magic is beautiful and terrible and wonderful and scary. Treat it as it is- a powerful, dangerous tool.
So... Prayer is a difficult concept for some people- whether it is coming from a place of religious trauma, inexperience, or even just not having a habit of praying, it is difficult.
But "prayer" (n.) is "a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or another deity," according to Oxford Languages. This is can be very different from what Abrahamic religons present, and as these are among the most populated religions in the world, most people get at least a bit of exposure through that lens.
Prayer is not just "talking to a friend", though that is a good starting point. It's a conversation, and you have to train yourself in how to have that conversation. It starts with a chat, a get to know what you are comfortable with. It needs to grow past that however.
"Lantern," you may be asking, "how in the name of everything sacred, do I do that?"
Sorry to disappoint you, but... it starts with consistent, ritualized practice.
Not "ritualized" in the way of "preforming a ritual with lots of people, ingredients, and intents", but "ritualized" as in "a set of steps that you follow to build habits".
Not Ritual, but ritual.
Here is an example of where I started:
Cleanse myself
Shield myself
Address the deity
Praise the deity
Make a request
State the offering
Praise again
Thank and "dismiss"
Close the circle
Cleanse again.
That's a lot for a new pagan. If you feel like that is right for you, great! For me, it was too much and required more spoons that I could share.
Here is my current steps:
Greet and call upon the deity I am addressing.(Usually with a specific epithet).
Thank the deity for support, attention, whatever happened recently I am thankful for.
Explain my current situation.
Ask for help in acheiving my goals.
Thank them again, make the offering, or finish.
This is much less effort for me. I also have a couple daily offerings that are lifestyles, not physical offerings. These are my most consistent offerings, and the ones I am most confident in.
I hope this ramble is at least a little helpful- It was late due to some family stuff occurring right now. Nothing bad, just busy!
We live our lives walking a path, faith and energy waxing and waning. As we approach autumn- a turning point for many people- remember that you need to be patient with yourself, honest with deities and yourself, and look over your expectations for yourself with a kind, but critical eye.
Whether you are entering the age of your energy, or you are entering your time of rest, take care.
Be kind to yourself, and patient with your faith, and magic.
I’m so sorry for the lack of spell post this week, my butt has been kicked multiple times this week. But here is another quick and simple spell!
Light My Path Spell
Please note that this can be adapted for any deity, I just use the ones I work with!
Ingredients:
1-4 candles(one representing you, and one for each deity you call upon)
A sigil
A compass/drawing of a compass
Instructions:
Set your personal candle behind the compass. Then your signal beneath the compass. Any deities should be set behind your candle. Then start your spell!
“I call upon the ones who walk beside me, I am casting a light upon my path. Illuminate from the shadows what will come.”
Repeat each time you light a candle.
Then, meditate on your path forwards while holding the compass.
“Guide me forwards, help me to see through obscuring shadows, thus I shall wander. So mote it be!”
Blow out the candles and close however you feel is right!
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"Magic and belief, however, are like a dense forest. It is full of paths and trails and secrets. However many paths exist, however, there are 3 times that number unknown. Finding your path, treading your trail, marking your map, that is up to you. The only right answer comes from these three places in balance: Belief(from your heart), knowledge(from your mind), and respect(from your actions). Treat this sacred and magical place with respect, and you will find a place of acceptance, love, and great impact on yourself. Magic is a journey. Lace up your hiking boots," grab your lantern, "and get to walking."
I wrote this quote for the first time in a notebook. It was written after multiple false starts, and as a new introduction for a book I am still trying to write. It's a book I wish I had when I started my own path. It now exists on this tumblr, and in a google doc, and still within that notebook.
Let me be clear. My username does not in any way shape or form denote that I am against baneful magic. The "light" is representational of wisdom, knowledge, and learning. My "lantern against the dark" is my vow to learn in-spite of everything that prevents my own learning.
My hope is that my blog can be a bastion of knowledge for people who are lost like I was, in the darkness of unknowing, and being unknowable. My lantern is one of acceptance and will be here to mark the trail. I hope to help you find your lantern.
Shall we begin the journey?
Hiking Boots is a book I have the bare bones of. I have been writing it has a how-to guide for building or finding your path-because that is what belief needs. A path, one you follow or one you make. It is linked to #Hiking Boots(Magic).
Pop Culture Paganism- the bulk of my path is made along this. I will not be responding to any hate or rudeness in regards to this.
Mudoran Paganism/Hyrulean Paganism/loz paganism-Legend of Zelda based beliefs, practices, spells, and rituals. This is mostly focused on the Lady Farore, as she is who my practice is focused around. These are the major tags I use for those posts.
Emelan pagan- focuses on the practices and beliefs of the Winding Circle Temple in Tamora Pierce's books the Circle of Magic/Circle Opens/Circle Reforged. Most of the posts authored by me are for Lady Mila of the Grain. I reblog some posts from the past for others, but my focus is Lady Mila.
Minecraft Paganism- nothing posted, and I seem to be moving away, but anything that ends up here will be tagged this.
Star Wars paganism/Jedi Magic/The Force is Within Me- I have recently moved into star wars in my practice, so you can expect posts to be under these tags.
Popular Tags
epithets- I am very fond of sharing epithets- and in the PCP realm, creating them. Feel free to ask me to think of some for your deity, I would love too!
my personal practice- personal practice and UPG, as well as spell work, ritual work, sigils etc.
magic 101- anything that I think is useful for young witches and/or pagans to know!
Thinking about creating and selling spell kits/beginner kits for pcp, as well as general witch kits that are budget friendly. Curious about the interest in this.
