I Love This

© pet_foolery

““My first religious experiences came to me both in wild places and in very human places, but perhaps the most poignant were where the two were intimately blended, at least in my perception. An example that I would share here is that of lying on a warm stone in rural Spanish sunshine, alone, my eyes closed, my soul infused with the scents of cistus and thyme, listening to the sound of goat bells above the tumbling rush of the river beside me, and I knew—with that subjective certainty which so thoroughly imbues such moments—that time did not exist: everything around me was the wholeness of all that had ever happened in that ancient valley. It was not crowded with humanity, but human culture was fully involved, scratching its living in the dusty hills, quietly but so very deeply rooted, and perpetually narrated by the stories and songs of those people generation after generation. Eight years old, for me it was an experience of feeling completely held, in peace and security—home—to the extent that I recognise my spiritual journey to have been in some measure a seeking to recreate that exceptional feeling.””

— Emma Restall Orr, in her essay Pagan Ecology: on our perception of nature, ancestry, and home, in the book The Wanton Green, Contemporary Pagan Writings on Place. I promised I would post these descriptions of childhood moments sometimes. Here’s one.

I lost it at “2 bread”

Here comes the sun

Redditor’s wife knitted a beautiful star chart shawl.

DIY Milk Jug Lunch Box

✖✖✖✖✖✖✖✖

sew-much-to-do: a visual collection of sewing tutorials/patterns, knitting, diy, crafts, recipes, etc.

moodboard prompts:

witchy autumn, Harry Potter, cozy 🍁

The Devouring Gourd-

In Bantu Folklore, Gourds and Pumpkins have the potential to grow into giant devouring creatures, easily swallowing people and animals. In a Swahili story, it’s suggested that it may have been the reincarnation of an Ogre or a wicked magician.  Here is the story-  ‘According to legend, the Devouring Gourd was discovered by a group of little boys at play. “Look at how big that gourd is getting!” said one of the boys. To their surprise, the gourd responded. “If you pluck me, I’ll pluck you!” it said. The boys ran home and told their mother, who refused to believe them. But their sisters insisted on seeing the large gourd, and when they were taken to it, they said as their brothers had, “Look at how big that gourd is getting!” This time the gourd did not respond, and the girls went home to complain about their brothers being liars. As the gourd was not plucked, it continued to grow. Eventually it became the size of a house, uprooted itself, and went about swallowing everyone in the village. After consuming everyone within reach, it rolled into a lake. Only one woman had survived the gourd’s rampage, and she was pregnant. When her son was born, they lived together in the ruins of the village. When the son got around to asking where his father was, his mother told him “He was swallowed by a gourd, which is now in the lake”. The son decided to avenge his father, and went out to the lake where he could see the gourd’s ears sticking out of the water, and he proceeded to taunt the vegetable. “Gourd, come out!” he yelled. “Gourd, come out!” Annoyed and enraged, the gourd hauled itself out of the lake, but the boy was ready for it, and fired a volley of arrows into it. The tenth arrow killed it, and it died with a roar that could be heard all the way to Vuga. The boy cut it open with a knife, released the villagers unharmed, and went on to become a great leader of his people.’ 

There is much info about the devouring gourd other than these folklores, but I think it’s pretty interesting. 

Beware and Wonder the Unknown~ (This summary was created from information gathered from the internet)

Breath in Breath out It’s November The trees will shed Their dead leaves And so will you

twoperfectcircles (via wnq-writers)

Salt & Witchcraft

Salt is a go to ingredient that witches seem to use abundantly.

Salt and it’s historical uses

In Germany, Normandy, and Scotland salt was sprinkled around a butter churn to keep witches from souring the butter or hurting the cow whose milk was used to make the butter.

An Irish folk remedy called upon the use of salt as well as the reciting of the lords prayer to get cure ‘faerie-struck’ children. Similar to the way the Bavarian and Ukrainian people used to figure out if a child had been bewitched.

Egyptian Caravans that were preparing to cross the desert would perform a ritual that involved burning salt on hot coals in order to prevent evil spirits nothing the travelers as well as to ensure a safe passage.

Provided protection from witches, witchcraft, demons, and the evil eye.

Salt and it’s uses in Witchcraft

Salt in general is used in ritual purification, magickal protections, and blessings.

Some witches place salt in the four corners of the room before casting.

Used in purification spells.

Used to symbolize earth, one of the elements, on your altar or when you are casting. Sea salt may be used as the element water due to the fact that it came from the sea.  

Used in the Witches Bottle

Can be used as an offering to the Gods.

Some people associate it with wealth, prosperity, and good luck.

Is an ingredient used often and abundantly in Kitchen Magick.

Creates a magickal, protective barrier.

Cleanses

Throw salt to ward off malevolent spirits and energies.

Repels many types of evil.

Absorbs psychic energies.

Place in your bath to cleanse and rid negativity. (Epsom Salt)

Salt and it’s superstitions

If someone spills the salt at dinner, it means a violent family quarrel is on the way.

It’s considered bad luck to lend salt to someone, because that can lead to a feud between the borrower and the lender. A good way to avoid this problem is if you get a cup of salt from someone, pay it back with sugar or molasses instead. Interestingly, in parts of northern England and Scotland it is also seen as bad luck to lend salt, mostly because the person borrowing it can use it as a magical link to curse you.

Salt can also be used to detect the presence of witches: in the Ozarks, it is believed that witches don’t eat much salt, so if someone complains about food being too salty, she might be regarded with suspicion. There is also a tale that bewitched cattle will not touch salt.

If you spill salt you must through it over your shoulder to bring you good luck and to keep evil at bay.

Types of salt and there properties

Himalayan Salt: Is commonly used for protection, especially around the home and against malevolent spirits. Also used to purify and to get rid of any negative energies. Used in spells to release from attachment. It has gentle, but strong grounding and centering energies. Brings prosperity and abundance into a home. Promotes love, happiness, and friendship.

Black Salt: Is used mainly for protection. Absorbs and contains any negativity. Can be used for hexing too. It drives away evil and protects your home and belongings. Use it to create boundaries with your enemies. Wardings, undoings, uncrossings, binding work, journeying to the afterlife, honoring the crone, and many other workings use black salt. Black salt can also be used to return curses and negative energies back to it’s caster. Working with the dark moon.

Sea Salt: Sacred to water deities and used often in Sea Witchcraft.  Make herbal salt scrubs. Used to consecrate. Commonly used to make magick circles. Used for protection as well. Can be used in curses. It is associated with purity, protection, purification, and blessings.

References: Paganwiccan.about.com

What is the most common way you incorporate salt into your craft?

May the moon light your path!

==Moonlight Academy==