#wiica

⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ Halloween ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪

Halloween é uma data muito importante para as bruxas de Salem. Além de ser um mês rico em diversão e aprendizado, também é um mês de reconhecimento para todo esse universo magico e repleto em diversidades.˚ 𝜗𝜚˚⋆｡☆

˚ 𝜗𝜚˚⋆｡☆ Pancky e Monaliza comemoram fazendo o tradicional ensopado .. Sim elas gostam bastante de comer, mas além disso é bem especial prepara-lo também. ˚ 𝜗𝜚˚⋆｡☆

Cozinhar juntas é uma verdadeira terapia. O cheiro do caldo deixa qualquer um morrendo de vontade de provar.

É servido a 00:00 , é um ensopado que da muita energia e vigor para a noite de Halloween. (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶) .ᐟ.ᐟ

Shades and Shadows: The Art of Connecting with Deities

As someone who previously held mostly agnostic beliefs, and still does to a certain extent, the idea of connecting with deity is something relatively new to my practice. As I explained in the last post, it wasn’t until I discovered the purpose of ritual that it even began to interest me. I was raised Catholic, so my notion of deity was this absurd man in the clouds who may or may not decide your fate in the afterlife. Praying to the white-bearded man in the sky was essentially pleading with him to fix your life or absolve you of your ungodly sins. It didn’t make sense to me, it definitely didn’t resonate with me, and the older I got the less I wanted anything to do with it. As Jim Jefferies so eloquently stated, “have the magic man, don’t have the magic man, I don’t give a fuck.” I never wrote off the idea entirely, I simply felt as though no one could possibly know one way or the other, but I definitely didn’t want much to do with the deity I was raised to believe in. He certainly seemed to cause more trouble than anything else. After all, it wasn’t the devil drowning the world and plaguing humanity. Since connecting with deities is somewhat new to my practice, it is something I’m still exploring. It’s not a necessity for every witch to include in their practice, and it may even be something I ultimately decide isn’t for me. But while I’m currently exploring it, let’s talk about it… 

There are a number of different reasons a witch may choose to develop a relationship with a deity as a part of their practice. It could be part of the tradition they follow, they may want to honor an innate sense of connection they feel to a particular deity, or it could be that having a working relationship with a deity (or deities) would be of benefit to them in one way or another. There’s really no right or wrong here, and there certainly isn’t anything wrong with a witch that isn’t interested in such or decides it’s just not for them. If it’s something you’re curious about though, it’s something worth investigating. The one thing I will say, especially if you’re new to the craft, is not to feel pressured into making it a part of your practice because it seems like everyone else is doing it.  

So how do you know which deity to connect with? I’ve often heard stories of witches whose deity came to them in a dream, through meditation, or while “hanging out on the astral.” A good place to start, especially if you find the aforementioned ways off-putting or intimidating, is with the deities that are of interest to you. If you’re already following a specific tradition or interested in a particular pantheon, this can help narrow it down. Understanding your personal goal for having a connection with deities can also be of help. I’ll use myself as an example here… It was a few years ago now that I first became interested in the idea of forming a connection with deities. More than anything, I really wanted to know what it was all about. I remember the name Santa Muerte coming up quite a bit, so I decided to look into it. I was able to find a wealth of information on who she was, what she stood for, and how to work with her. At the time, I was also learning cartomancy (which for those who don’t know, it’s basically tarot with playing cards) and I happened to have a tattoo imagery deck of playing cards that made me think of this particular deity. I figured why not use the deck as a way to reach out to her. Having already purchased a Santa Muerte candle and incense, I lit both and sat down with the cards; one question in mind, “would you be willing to work with me?” I will never forget the feeling I got upon seeing the imagery of the cards I pulled. Not only was it a direct answer to my question, but a blatant “yes” at that. I also couldn’t help but feel as though the room had suddenly filled with this loving, almost grandmotherly type of energy (yes, I know we’re getting a bit woo-woo here.) Ultimately, through a number of mistakes over the years, I learned from Santa Muerte what it’s like to have a working relationship as a witch with a particular deity--which, after all, was what I was going for. 

Forming a connection with a deity doesn’t necessarily mean you need to have a working relationship with that deity. As I stated earlier, it could just be a connection you choose to honor. One of the things I want to stress about connecting with deities is that some may come and go, and that’s ok. Some witches maintain a relationship with one particular deity for the rest of their life. However, sometimes we’re called to certain deities because they have something to teach us or are there to help us through something. There are also times when choosing to form a connection with a particular deity actually leads you down the path to a different deity. Again, there’s really no right or wrong here. Connecting with a deity is a deeply personal thing. Two witches working with the same deity can have an entirely different experience from one another. 

With all that being said, I see deities as a means of connecting with the creative energy of the universe through a personified form. The desire for connection to universal creative energies is something inherent in human nature. Where we differ, and rightly so, is how we go about finding and expressing that connection. As an art witch, I generally feel this connection most when I’m painting. Having learned from my working relationship with Santa Muerte, I much prefer to just simply honor the energies I feel connected with while painting--at least for the time being anyway, that could always change again further down the road. The lessons I learned in working with Santa Muerte and how they influenced my practice could be a post on its own. I would love to know in the comments if that’s of interest to anyone. Most importantly, what I want you to take away from this is that building a relationship with deities does not make or break your practice as a witch. Like any other tool, it only enhances your craft if it’s of use to you. Coming from an artist though, you may be surprised at some of the rather unconventional tools we make work for us. If you stay open-minded and curious, you’ll always have an abundance of tools at your disposal.

Shades and Shadows Blog by @thecraftyvvitch @thecraftyvvitch

Okay, so on my instagram (@cherrybl0om), I have received so many messages from people who are either just coming into a Wicca/Pagan life, or those who have been interested in it for some time, but feel as thought they haven't really started it. So I wanted to make a relatively short post tonight on how to ‘become pagan’.

So this is going to be slightly different depending on the individual, but the honest and most basic thin, is really, you don’t need to do anything different, or make any drastic changes to live a pagan life. Many Wiccans are still in the ‘brook closet’ and their families don’t know that they are in fact, Wiccan. The easiest thing to do to become a Wiccan, is to learn about the religion, and simply live your life with that intent in the back of your mind. Harm none. Becoming a Wiccan is about getting in tune with nature, by simply appreciating the seasons and that changes that the Earth goes through, watching the Sun rise and set, and the moon phases, are all a part of being thankful for the Earth we have to live on.

Those of you who have started a book of shadows can always on the first page write a declaration to yourself, a way of marking the beginning of your journey. Some people, choose to have an initiation, which usually happens at some form of celestial event, in which a ritual is performed. I personally did this by myself with a few of my fave crystals, some candles, and made a pledge to my deities on a full moon. Always remember, Wicca is a flexible religion, so you should always be doing what you feel is right. Whilst there are some pathways that are more strict, those like myself who follow an eclectic pathway have more freedom to choose what they feel is right. 

Lastly, another great way to start is just by putting time aside to meditate, connect with nature, and perform spells. Now don’t think you have do to a spell every day, and read tarots 3 times a week, or anything like that, it is always more effective when you do it as and when you need it, or at special times such as the sabbats.

So that’s it for tonight, LIVE WITH INTENT, & you won’t look back.

A page from my personal Book of Shadows - 

Bide the Wiccan Law  ye must,

in perfect love and perfect trust.

These eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill,

an it harm none, do as ye will.

And ever mind the Rule of Three,

What ye sends out comes back to thee.

Follow this with mind and hear,

There was silence, all but the distant ringing of a singular gunshot. Dutch stood still for a moment, arm extended, gun still aimed at the target who lay deceased on the floor. Rules were rules.

A Sabbat wheel can be an amazing asset to your alter or just for memory/ celebration sake.

STEP BY STEP

Firstly decide what backing you want and what you can afford. Sabbat wheels are usually made with wood or soft stone such as slate and then carved, painted or decorated (a simple round bread board is affordable and great for your first attempt)

Divide it into 8 equal segments

Draw on your designs for each segment in chalk or pencil and once your happy you can carve, paint, burn or even apply leaves/ followers that represent each sabbat. You can use any medium you like to decorate your wheel, even glueing crystals and seeds on.

Finnish with a coat of varnish (If using wood) or a sealer if you are using stone

IDEA FOR DECORATING

IMBOLC: Candle or snowdrops

OESTARA: Eggs, the Hare, Primroses

LITHA: The sun, Green Man, Oak leaves, Sunflowers

Lughnasadh: A single stem or a sheaf of wheat, harvest loaf

MADRON: Scales

SANHAIN: Apples, winter jasmine

YULE: The sun, holly

ALTERNATIVE: