FOREST MERMAID 

Comme Des Garçons: AW2018 Collection Editorial for SWITCH Magazine.

So an anon asked. And I had to dig out my journals. But here we are. There are two saints that I know of that are connected to witchcraft and sorcery. Or to put it broadly; magic. I only know of these saints, and have no dealings with them on a spiritual/magical level. So keep in mind that this is purely research. So whatever options for contact I’ve written down; these are suggestions and should not be taken as a set-in-stone-rule. And before anything you read here: I encourage you to do your own research. And by that I mean; read whatever you can find about said saint. And. Write. It. Down.  Write down your own impressions, assumptions and whatnot down as well. Then take practical steps. Pray. I’ve found that praying to Mary/Christ/The Holy Ghost first and then to X saint just seems to ‘fine tune’ the whole process. As well as provide some level of protection. Just as living humans, the dead- even saints -can act up/be difficult. Take precautions like any sensible practitioner would. It doesn’t have to be big- like mentioned above.

As my last piece of advice: don’t go around giving offering right away. Again; nothing big. Prayer can be an offering, as well as the usual candles and water. Elaborate offerings can always be used as payment/holding up your end of the bargain. Though specifics are to be worked out between you and X saint. They’ll let you know what they prefer. First, a (dis)honourable mention: Saint Thomas Aquinas. He is firmly against magic during his lifetime. Stating that the magic art is both unlawful as it is futile, tells you pretty much all you need to know. Everything is traced back to demons, and frankly, boring. Reading his work(s) you’d almost get doubts on whether the man wasn’t an intensely pissed off failed ceremonial magician himself. Although if you want a saint who could neutralize magic send against you, he’d probably be a good one to contact. His work(s) are/were/are considered a must read/study for those who want to become a priest. His work on the nature of souls is interesting.

- Saint Columba of Sens: There is some confusion around this saint. Her modern day cult is in France, Sens. She is a mix of Spanish and French. Saint Comba or Saint Columba is literally an entity that is ‘in between’ things. Is she a nun or a (converted) witch? Is she for witches or against them? Or both, depending on who calls on her? Did she remain a witch after converting or did she join because of the protection of being a nun gave? Whatever the tale is; her patronage literally includes rain, witches, magicians, hags, wizards and magic. As well as Andorra and Galicia. Her attributes are a broom and a witches hat! Through another story- on how she was saved from rape -a female bear could also be one of her symbols.

Her day is September 17th. Although within the Catholic church it is presented as Saint Columba was only martyr, in older Galician resources a somewhat different story comes to light. According to Poska, the woman known as a saint from Sens was none other than a famous witch in Spanish Galicia.

“Across Galicia, St Comba is known as the patron saint of witches, a curious notion in and of itself. On the one hand, she acts as an intercessor on behalf of witches, while on the other hand, people go to her to defend themselves against witches. One informant told Marisa Rey-Henningsen, ‘there … you can see she was a great witch, and now she is the greatest of saints.’ Even today, Galegos remain comfortable with both the positive and negative connotations of having witches in their midst.”

Whether this is about two different women, who over time got fused into one character is something you- the reader -must figure out for yourself. Know that there ís such a Saint Comba. Though I’d argue that since she is specific to a region, you read up on that particular folklore as well. To contact her I would keep it to a simple prayer, though with the addition of doing that on either a full or dark moon. - Saint Simon the Sorcerer: Simon Magus, Simon the Magician, Simon the Sorcerer, the Bad Samaritan. From Samarië Most known for his clash with Saint Peter. He is often described as the founder of Gnosticism. Reputed to be a ‘formidable’ sorcerer as well as one who has the skill to levitate. The bad Samaritan nickname is linked to his malevolent character. Has no known symbols or feast-day. Though a black book, wand, black bull, crucifix or gold would work. As would any Sunday would suffice as a feast-day. His conversion to Christianity- in my opinion -was more due the fact that he saw a source of great power; which he as a sorcerer could have the one-up on others. But that is just me. In various tales his temper and ambition play a huge part. Often portrayed as a magician who wants to become a god or sees himself as a second Jesus. This most notably in the myth of Simon and Helen by Epiphanius

The apocryphal Acts of Peter gives a more elaborate tale of Simon Magus’ death. Simon is performing magic in the Forum and in order to prove himself to be a god, he levitates up into the air above the Forum. The apostle Peter prays to God to stop his flying, and Simon stops mid-air and falls into a place called “the Sacra Via” (meaning “Holy Way”), breaking his legs “in three parts”. The previously non-hostile crowd then stones him. Reputed that he would rose from his grave, like Christ, after 3 days. Sadly, he stayed in his grave. 

oh gosh, yes. i can only fit 10 images per post but here are a few of my favorite ♡