Missalexgreenturtle - Seasons, Teaching, And Adventures

Why wasn’t friendship as good as a relationship? Why wasn’t it even better? It was two people who remained together, day after day, bound not by sex or physical attraction or money or children or property, but only by the shared agreement to keep going, the mutual dedication to a union that could never be codified.

Hanya Yanagihara, A Little Life  (via wordsnquotes)

O autumn winds that bake and burn And all the world to darkness turn Now storm and seize and make of me A swarm of leaves from autumn’s tree

Ray Bradbury, the Halloween Tree (via forestsandfoxes)

Except i have a weiner dog and am eaten alive by mosquitos.

Summer evening.

What Should I Teach my Children about Witchcraft?

I get this question surprisingly a lot and until today I’ve never had what I felt was a decent answer. Some people will be quick to say that you shouldn’t teach children witchcraft at all. I think they need to take a chill pill and realize that although there are definitely dangerous sects of witchcraft, it is ultimately what you make of it. A parent who is aware of this can steer their child in the right direction and make sure they are safe. How many of us claim that witchcraft is just a skill like any other? Plenty of skills have potential dangers for children yet we still teach them. Why not witchcraft?

At the end of the day I can’t dictate what you should and should not teach your own children, so consider this post more of a friendly suggestion from someone who was raised with witchcraft. Take what works for you, leave the rest behind.

Teach your child patience.

Teach them that results sometimes take a while to manifest. Teach them to keep living their lives, to not stop everything to watch a kettle boil.

Teach them that they may be tiny but they still have power and the ability to protect themselves.

Teach them that it’s okay to say no.

Teach them how to handle no when it comes from other people.

Teach them about grounding, visualization, meditation, but understand that some or all of these things might be hard for them to do. That’s okay. We’re all different and some of us can’t do these things, nor do we need to do them.

Teach them kitchen witchcraft. Instill a strong love and respect for food at a young age.

Teach them the basics of gardening, what plants are most commonly used in magical workings, what plants to not touch or consume. Let them tell you what certain plants make them think and feel and don’t discourage them if their answers differ from yours.

Teach them that if they grow up to hate cooking or gardening, it’s okay. They’ll find their niche in their own time.

Teach them compassion and control.

Teach them to forgive.

Teach them not to be ashamed if they’re unable to forgive certain actions or people.

Teach them that their emotions are valid, all of them. Teach them that anger, sadness, heartbreak, fear, discomfort, can all be used just as strongly as any positive emotion. Teach them that all of their emotions are important, not just the happy ones.

Teach them common sense: fire safety, environmental awareness, chemical safety, etc.

Teach them fairy tales about witches, mages, sorcerers, etc. Never underestimate the ability of these tales to do amazing things to a child’s imagination and to affect their practice in a positive way.

Teach them about science and how they can utilize it in magic.

Teach them how to respect the wishes of oppressed cultures so they don’t grow up to become one of the witches who actively harm closed cultures.

Teach them that they can always come to you if they’re uncertain about what they’re doing and expect nothing but love and support in return.

Teach them about music, art, writing; give them all the tools they need to express their creativity.

Teach them about life, because every aspect of life can be a magical experience if you let it be.

And that’s just the thing. I think whenever someone asks me “how do I teach my young child witchcraft?” they’re looking for a set list of practices and techniques, but there is no set list. There wasn’t when I was little; my mom taught me and my brothers about life and showed us that it can be as magical as we wanted it to be.

As I said, take it or leave it. It’s ultimately up to you how  and what you decide to teach your child about magic, but I hope you instill in them a level of trust and agency that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

What should you put in your bath?

black tea: soothes sunburns [1] [2] and is antimicrobial [3] contains some essential polyphenols and tannin, reduces puffiness/inflammation [4] 

green tea: antioxidant and detoxifier [1] soothes rashes, increases healing rate, softens skin [2] heals sores and wounds, rejuvenates skin cells, improve psoriasis and dandruff [3] anti-aging, mood stabilizing [4]

apple cider vinegar: anti inflammatory and softens skin [1]

ground ginger: increases circulation, promotes sweating, opens pores, relieves pain [1]

lemon: antioxidant (brightens skin) [1] 

olive oil: moisturizes skin [1]

calendula flowers: soothes burns, inflammation, rashes, insect bites, skin disorders [1] useful for small children [2]

elder-flowers: anti-inflammatory and heals rashes cuts and wounds [1]

Himalayan salt: soothes insect bites, heals blisters, relieves arthritis pain [1] softens skin [2]

oatmeal: soothes, anti-inflammatory, calms angry skin [1]

rose petals: relax mind, relieve sleepiness, soothe headaches and stress [1] promote positive feelings [2]

valerian root: relax the mind, relieve sleepiness, soothe headaches and stress [1]

lavender: relax the mind, relieve sleepiness, soothe headaches and stress [1] [2]

mugwort: relax the mind, relieve sleepiness, soothe and headaches and stress [1]

chammomile: soothes nerves [1] good for dry skin [2]

passion flower: soothes nerves [1]

hops: soothes nerves [1]

rosemary: pain relief, soothes headaches and fatigue [1] relaxing, increases alertness and clarity of mind [2] soothes sore throat[3]

thyme: pain relief, soothes headaches and fatigue [1]

devils claw: eases joint pain [1]

juniperberries: soothes muscle aches [1]

peppermint: increase blood flow, relieve congestion [1]

eucalyptus: increase blood flow, relieve congestion [1] increases energy [2]

thyme: increase blood flow, relieve congestion [1]

jasmine: emollient and antiseptic, soothes skin [1] 

organic coconut flakes: nourish the skin [1]

sage: uplifting, good for oily skin and back acne [1] stimulating [2]

marjoram: decongestant, soothes muscle pain [1]

whole cow’s milk: hydrates and mildly exfoliates skin [1]

cow’s buttermilk: hydrates and thoroughly exfoliates skin [1]

goat’s milk: thoroughly hydrates and exfoliates skin, provides nutrients [1]

Gettin really tired of being a soft person in a hard world

Slaved away at this for too long…

Personal project - wanted to draw a young witch who accidentally brought her patch of turnips to life. c: 

sometimes i think about the parents

the parents from coruscant to the farthest reaches of the galaxy, who have just become new parents, or perhaps are welcoming their third or fourth

it’s subtle at first, so subtle it’s easy to miss

their baby is different

maybe they’re worried. ‘what’s wrong with my baby? will they be ok? are they sick? they don’t cry like my others, doctor.’

maybe they’re amazed. ‘he has such a way with animals. she always seems to know when it will rain. what amazing reflexes! i’ve never seen a child with such a green thumb!’

it only becomes more apparent as time passes. seasons change, children grow, people talk, and the reality that their beloved child has been gifted with something beyond their comprehension becomes a reality that can no longer be ignored

and then, one day, the jedi arrives

they arrive on the doorsteps of homes both humble and opulent, armed with a soothing demeanor, a benign smile, and an explanation that simultaneously relieves and terrifies

sometimes i think about the horrid realization that, despite a willingness to lay down their own life for their child, despite their attempts to provide to the best of their ability, it is not enough. it never will be

sometimes i think of the tearful goodbyes - goodbyes that are not made any less painful with the knowledge that their decision is in the best interest of their baby

‘will they remember me?’ a parent wonders as they gaze with blurry eyes at the retreating form of the jedi, who carries away their entire world, swaddled in fabric that still smells of home. ‘will they remember my lullabies? my voice? will they remember how loved they were?’

years pass. the absence is a gaping wound that never truly heals. they follow the news, daily, scouring titles and clips for information- hoping to catch a glimpse or the smallest assurance that their child is well, growing, prospering

and then, one day, the news stops. everything changes, and nothing could ever prepare them for what follows

governments fall, an empire rises, and parents across the galaxy are rendered immobile, breathless, and shattered at the uttering of one simple sentence:

the jedi are no more

sometimes i think about the parents.

Reviving the Witchcraft Community

Due to basically everyone leaving tumblr for one reason or another, my dash has died and that makes me really sad

If you post anything related to witchcraft (examples below) in any way, please like or reblog this post so I can find you and follow you.

THIS POST WAS WRITTEN ON THE 21ST OF JANUARY, 2020. PLEASE HELP ME REVIVE THE ONLINE WITCH COMMUNITY

If you post anything relating to:

Your practice

Grimoire inspiration

Grimoire pictures

Altarspaces

Altar inspiration

Scrapbooking related to the craft

Pressed flowers

Herbalism

Spellwork

Spells

Spells jars

Sigils

Enchantments

Charms

Glamours

Witch bags

Mojo bags

Wildcrafting

Foraging

Candle magic

Divination of any kind

Recipes for kitchen witchcraft

Or anything else that you consider part of your personal practice

ESPECIALLY ORIGINAL CONTENT

Please, once again, like or reblog this post so I can revive my dash and start working on reviving the community as a whole

This post was written on the 21st of January, 2020.