In Modern Heathenry There Is A Concept Of Spirits Known As The Disir (singular Dis). While There Is Some

'Concerning The Powers and Virtues of Pine, Rustic Lord of the Lonely Places'

"The Pine stands as the ally of the Wayfarer upon the Path for its many uses, both practical and magical. The presence of Pines is an indication of life, as the Trees tend to grow in community and attract diverse beasts and worts to their domains. Dead wood provides excellent kindling for the fire, and live wood cut for timber is one of the most versatile and workable of woods. Nuts found within the cones provide a wholesome food to sustain the body; all species are edible. Its sap is both nutritive and medicinal, and, should additional sustenance be needed, the green needles may be brewed into a nourishing tea. Thus, though often found spreading its branches in the wild lands, the Pine-forest serves as a place of Sojourn and respite whilst walking the path in pilgrimage.

The Genius of the Pine, despite its preference for wilderness, is on the whole friendly toward man, hence its adaptation in many circumstances to domestic existence, and bestows the virtues of ingenuity and adaptation. In species it numbers almost one hundred, widely distributed throughout the world, and some kinds, such as the Bristlecone, may attain ages in advance of 4,500 years. Though numerous exotic conifers have come forth unto Albion in recent centuries, its principal Pine-warden is the magnanimous Pinus sylvestris or Scots Pine, which may be seen in its truly wild state now only in isolated places in the Highlands, however in certain hedges in East Anglia it curiously makes a home among the more usual hardwoods common there.

With most Pines, trunks of larger trees reveal sap-flows where the fragrant resin has hardened; this may be collected and used for varied purposes of Art, such as for fumigation or for making varnishes. However, not every Pine species produces resin of good and wholly aromatic quality, thus it is a matter of discernment which the simpler must arrive at by cunning and diligent investigation. Where a certain pine resin is left wanting with regard to its aromatic properties, it may still be used as an agent of binding.

Needles harvested and dried green will retain aromatic virtue and may be burnt, together with resin and cones, as a suffumigant strong in powers of earthing, and keeping haunting shades of the dead at bay. This power of removing ghost-infection is doubly potent in the resin.

The cones, after having expelled their seeds, serve as encharmed vessels for the work of thaumaturgy, each of the numerous hollows capable of being filled with a different enchantment. Likewise, the hollows of a cone may be packed with flammable unguents, aromatic resins and powders, and the whole set to roast slowly upon the hearth-fire of working as a splendid perfume. Such aromatic ingredients may be derived from the Pine direct, in the form of resin, ground bark and needles, and twigs, or from other worts and trees as dictated by Ingenium."

—

Viridarium Umbris:

The Pleasure Garden of Shadow

3: ‘The Book of Going Forth into the Field of Cain’

by Daniel A. Schulke

A Lesson for Young Witches

If you cannot find representations for a given element, remember…

You are supported by a rigid skeleton made of minerals. You are earth.

Your body is over 70% fluid. You are water.

Your lungs take in and expel breath. You are air.

Your blood is warm and your brain runs on electrical impulses. You are fire.

Your essence, however you describe it, resides within you. You are spirit.

You are composed of gifts from every element, and every element is given marvelous life in you.

Never feel that you are insufficiently magical for lack of icons or accoutrements or accessories.

You are ALWAYS magic. You are ALWAYS enough.

What is the distinction between a mage, a wizard, a sorcerer, and a witch? Is there one?

Hello there.

I think it's a question many have, and understandably so. I'm no expert in the anthropological distinction between traditions, but I'll do my best to answer.

To a certain degree, all the terms are somewhat conflated, but there is some nuance to the meanings behind the words.

Where my usage is cocnerned, Mage is a name that essentially describes any practitioner of any kind of magical tradition. It is basically synonymous with magician. Though, the former has become associated with fantasy fiction to an extent, while the latter has become more closely associated with illusionist performers.

Wizard is a term that was often historically associated with Cunning Folk, and Cunning Men in particular. The etymological roots of the word amounts to 'wise individual.' Though myth, folklore, and modern fiction have all done much to fantasize the term, the core connotation of the word is still—so far as I'm concerned—a member of the Wise.

A Sorcerer is a bit vaguer in its specific meaning, but it ultimately amounts to an individual who practices magic—particularly magic seen as "dark" in nature. Though the original meaning of the word referred to 'one who casts lots' (told fortunes/performed divination,) sometime in the 15th century, that meaning was displaced by the definition of 'one who conjures evil spirits.' With all that in mind, I would say that sorcerer and witch are the most closely aligned of the terms mentioned here.

Finally, and possibly most difficult to pin down precisely, is the title of Witch. Though the word does have posited etymological and historical roots in prophecy, necromancy and in generalized magic, its ultimate meaning became more clearly delineated as 'one with malignant supernatural knowledge and skills' As such (and for others reasons I'm sure you can find plenty of people discussing on the internet,) I would say that witch is a title that mostly accurately reflects a magical practitioner with the ability to use baneful power, and whose practice is generally associated in some way with Sabbatic Flight and rites of Initiation.

I hope that can help.

Andy Goldsworthy

🌳

(Please ignore my nails I’m between sets 😝) MY MURKSTAVE AREIVED!!! For those that don’t know, wands are my favourite magical tools. Now I’d seen several staves/wands from @poisonersapothecary but could never justify buying another wand (I have six lol) but when I saw these specific ones I knew I had to have one. My phone cannot do this beautiful piece justice. Thank you so much Coby for you amazing work as always. I was not expecting the cute cauldron or the lovely thank you card, both were a wonderful surprise. Okay I’ll stop gushing now 🖤 #witch #traditionalwitchcraft #pagan #murkstave #myrkstafir #magicaltool #wand #necromancy #banefulmagic #spiritwork #fayerism #cunningwoman https://www.instagram.com/p/CjAFvFEujoX/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

A Healing and A Prayer

This past week I've been thinking about performing a healing work for someone in my life that has contracted COVID-19. As healing has never been my forte I've been a little nervous about how to proceed. I noticed something interesting every time i found my mind turning to it (the work) though, the goddess Iðunna. 

Now, as someone who considers myself rökkatru, this was rather odd. Odd or not I decided that if it was THIS persistent, than there must be something to it. 

So, earlier this evening, I dressed a candle, lit simple incense and honestly and earnestly prayed to the Lady of the Orchard. I'm not sure how well the prayer for healing was received (only time will tell) but I did feel a shift in the air when Her name first passed my lips. I believe that She at least heard me and hopefully answered my plea. 

I'm not sure what kind of results I'm hoping to see, but I have decided that regardless of it I plan to continue building a relationship with Her.

“Oh great goddess of the Æsir, Our Lady of the Orchard

Please pass your blessing of restoration onto him that I love.” 

Burning man, Tomasz Kawecki