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Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Book Review: Finding Faeries by Alexandra Rowland

witch book, book review, faeries, fairies, liminal beings, otherworld, witchcraft, witchy, witch, hedgewitch,


Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I was provided a copy of this book for an honest review.

Since things have died down a bit in my personal life, I have been able to spend more time reading in my spare time. I am always thankful when I can sit down and read a book or two, especially when that book is about witchcraft! On Monday I finished reading Finding Faeries: Discovering Sprites, Pixies, Redcaps, and Other Fantastical Creatures in an Urban Environment by Alexandra Rowland. While there were several elements I really enjoyed about the book, overall I wasn't super impressed.

First and foremost, Rowland treats the subject of faeries as a science and their book has an academic undertone to it similar to that of an encyclopedia. It's not that I mind this, but there was a complete lack of references and bibliography which doesn't support the tone of the book. If you are going to approach the Otherworld from a scientific point of view, you need to back up your claims with primary sources. Furthermore, I had a hard time taking several of the sections seriously. There were times the book felt like a sarcastic commentary on the liminal world and I wasn't sure if I was supposed to laugh or take notes. This was a turn off for me, which is a shame considering the beginning of the book was so phenomenal! Finally, the book was rather short and the information lacking as a result. I would have liked to have seen a more in-depth approach to the different fae creatures, especially considering its encyclopedia feel.

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Despite the flaws, there were some great aspects to the book. In the introduction, Rowland covers how colonialism has changed the range of many liminal beings; how, like cats and dogs, they traveled with colonists to the New World and beyond. I loved their commentary on how violence, slavery, and climate change has shaped the liminal fauna, especially in regards to the encroachment of the urban sprawl. While some species have thrived in an urban environment, many others have perished. It was a wonderful reminder that we not only affect the creatures within our realm but the Otherworld as well. Furthermore, it was refreshing to read a book about the fae that didn't treat them as either all good or all bad, that instead most liminal beings fall somewhere in between. For the most part, the fae do not care much about us and prefer to ignore us and for us to ignore them. Of course, this doesn't mean there aren't helpful and harmful creatures lurking in the shadows, but overall most liminal beings could care less. Finally, I really enjoyed that at the end of the book Rowland offers suggestions on which fae beginners can relatively safely pursue. Too many books suggest that upon reading them that now you are an expert and can safely faerie hunt. Yeah, no. Rowland offers practical advice for the novice witch that shouldn't be ignored and even offers modern protection methods against the fae while using technology.

Overall, the book was decent. It's not one I would purchase to keep on my shelf, but it would make a cute gift for a young witch, especially a preteen. Finding Faeries: Discovering Sprites, Pixies, Redcaps, and Other Fantastical Creatures in an Urban Environment by Alexandra Rowland is available now for purchase (it was actually published on my birthday!).

Happy reading!



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Monday, October 26, 2020

October Hunter's Moon Worksheet

full moon, esbat, ritual, witchcraft, moon magic

The Hunter's Moon, also known as the Falling Leaves Moon, Sanguine Moon, and Drying Grass Moon, occurs during October. The name Hunter's Moon comes from the fact that hunting season peaks during the Fall months, especially during October. This is the time of year for hunting and gathering to stockpile provisions for the upcoming Winter months. The falling leaves and drying grass comes from the fact that the trees are losing their leaves and the grasses are dying back, leaving dry stalks in its place. The nights lengthen, giving us time to hunker down and reflect upon the months prior, making this the perfect time to address bad habits, start fresh, and work with your ancestors.

This month's Full Moon worksheet contains the usuals of my past Full Moon worksheets, including a to release and cleanse section, a box for your intuition, and an oracle spread. I decided to switch to oracle cards due to some concerns about tarot being closed, but upon further review, research suggests it is not a closed practice. However, you can use oracle cards in the same manner as tarot cards so pick which ever you like. Unlike past worksheets, however, this one can be used every October, as it is based on the correspondences of the moon itself and not other astrological events. The tarot spread for this month features 3 cards to help you get in touch with your ancestors.

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Sunday, October 18, 2020

Book Review: Hoodoo Cleansing and Protection Magick by Miss Aida

book review, hoodoo, witchcraft, witchy, occult, protection, cleansing, spiritual, pagan, neopagan, magick, magic, spells, rituals, spirit work, witchy book review

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I was provided a copy of this book for an honest review.

A couple of months ago Weiser reached out to me to review another book, Hoodoo Cleansing and Protection Magick: Banish Negative Energy and Ward Off Unpleasant People by Miss Aida. I was honored to be given such an opportunity and happily agreed to read another book on the topic of Hoodoo, despite it not being my practice. Let's just say that life lately has gotten in the way of all things witchy, and it took me a lot longer to finish this book than normal. For that, I sincerely apologize. However, it wasn't such a bad thing that it took me a while to get through this book, as it allowed me to digest all the details and given thought and consideration to the practices outlined in the book.

Again, I want to make it abundantly clear I am not a practitioner of Hoodoo. I do not have extensive knowledge of the practice apart from what I have read so I cannot speak to the accuracy of the book, but I can say Miss Aida, a Cuban-born practitioner, speaks with authority and from experience, which to me far outweighs extensive historical research supporting her claims. Furthermore, she is a nurse and has a degree in science, which means she supports ruling out the ordinary before turning to spiritual causes of disturbances, illness, and disease. Hoodoo Cleansing and Protection Magick covers a variety of topics from general cleansing and protection to how to deal with different spiritual entities and how to find authentic professional help. The rituals and spells are clearly outlined, explained, and supported with anecdotal evidence and experiences. Reading the experiences of others is something I thoroughly enjoy and it gives me the opportunity to assess the validity of one's writing. You would be surprised how much of a person's energy and life comes through in their writing and I can safely say Miss Aida is no liar. I found that the section on how to find a true, professional, spiritual worker, and when you should seek professional help, was some of the most useful information in the book. As witches, we like to think we are capable of doing everything on our own, but there are a lot of times where that isn't the case; either we don't have enough experience or the entities are too powerful for a single person, especially a person without the skills or knowledge to take on such a being. Furthermore, I loved the curse positive language of the book. Miss Aida makes it very clear that cursing is a natural part of our world, but you should be cautious when doing so as in all things. I loved her honesty about her own hotheadedness and that she can be spiteful. I found a lot of what she said sounded like it came from my own mouth. To add to it, she encourages her readers to take precautionary measures, avoid retaliating when you do not know the source of the curse so you don't hurt an innocent person, and when in doubt, do nothing because like all magic, the curse will eventually dissipate. 

Despite the practices in this book being closed to me, there are some great nuggets of information that can be used by anyone, no matter their cultural background. It is the foundations of magical practices that ring true throughout every culture in the world, and Miss Aida's experiences and advice are extremely helpful in setting those foundational practices of protection and cleansing. For an experienced witch such as myself, this book was a great reminder that I need to practice protection and cleansing daily, not just when I feel like it or when I "remember." Her words are encouraging and remind the reader that having a consistent daily practice, even a simple one, is best practice. When we become lazy in our magical workings, allowing our guard to drop, that is when negativity can creep up on us, wreaking havoc in the life we meticulously sought to protect. Furthermore, Christianity, from which many of the prayers and spiritual entities are from, is open to all and therefore easily incorporated into our practices. I know that many witches come from Christianity and no matter what your personal feelings may be on the topic, the prayers are there for you to use when needed and the angels will gladly help you in your magical workings given that you develop a relationship with them first. For some, this may make your practice more comfortable and "real" in that it pulls from your past experiences. There is absolutely nothing wrong with pulling from your previous religion in your craft; in fact, I highly encourage it because you already have a connection with the practices.

The only issue I had with the book was the use of white sage and smudging. However, because I am not a member of this closed culture, I cannot and will not pass judgment, but I did want to make it known to all my readers that I found some of the language to be personally problematic.

Whether you are a practitioner of Hoodoo, a new witch, or an experienced witch, I highly recommend Hoodoo Cleansing and Protection Magick: Banish Negative Energy and Ward Off Unpleasant People by Miss Aida. As in all things, remember that not all the practices are open to you if you are not from the culture, but that doesn't mean that you can't learn from the lessons and develop a better spiritual practice. Hoodoo Cleansing and Protection Magick: Banish Negative Energy and Ward Off Unpleasant People by Miss Aida is available now.



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Monday, October 12, 2020

Elemental Magic: A Complete Guide to Air Folklore & Correspondences

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I know it's been a while since I posted anything in this series and I apologize. I've been spending more time working with the other elements before moving on to Air for a variety of reasons. However, I am now ready to tackle Air, the element of wisdom, communication, reasoning, logic, and breath. It is the perfect element to work with during the fall months because this shifting of the seasons often requires us to look inward and assess our situation; to take a deep breath and let go of what no longer serves us; to communicate our truths, even if it's just to ourselves; to set a new path for the future. After working with the previous elements, you have likely changed and need to communicate this new self with others and maybe even to yourself, especially through journaling. In some cases, you may need to spend time figuring out your new truths. I know I have changed and its time to make that self known. In today's post, I will discuss the element Air, from his history to his correspondences to how he works with the other elements.



Much of the folklore associated with Air encompasses weather magic and the wind itself. In Greek mythology, the Anemoi were the four winds, each of them corresponding to the four cardinal directions. They were the children of Eos, goddess of dawn, and Aeolus, Keeper of the Winds. The first of the sons was Boreas, the god of the north wind and bringer of cold winter air. He is often depicted with a beard in a short, pleated tunic and said to have a violent temper. When Orithyia, a princess of Athens, refused to marry Boreas, he stole her away to marry her in the clouds where they later had two sons and two daughters together. From then on, Boreas was seen as a relative by marriage and they called upon him for protection when attacked by neighboring kingdoms. In 480 B.C. Boreas supposedly sank 400 Persian ships that threatened the Athenians. A cult was established as gratitude for his help and he was routinely called upon to strike down enemies. Boreas's Roman equivalent is Aquilo and according to Virgil, Now had the sun rolled through the year's full circle, and the waves were rough with icy winter's northern gales" thus associating Aquilo with the winds of Winter. The second son, Zephyrus or Zephyr, is the god of the west wind. He is the gentlest of the winds, blowing in Spring and warmer weather. Zephyrus appears in a number of stories, each one often depicting a different lover both male and female. His amorous relationships make him a fertility god, which makes sense since he is said to bring in Spring, the ultimate icon of fertility. The god of the south wind, Notus, is associated with the hot, desiccating winds of Summer that blew in after the Summer Solstice. It was him that brought late summer storms, destroying crops in his wake. And finally, there was Eurus, god of the east winds, who was believed to be responsible for the turbulent winds during storms at sea. Seafarers would often try to appease Eurus to ensure a safe trip and would place protection charms on their ships to ward off ill will.

Aeolus, however, was just as famous as his four sons. In Homer's Odyssey, Aeolus provides Odysseus and his men shelter for a month before providing them with a gentle westerly wind to carry them home to Itcha. As a parting gift, Aeolus gives Odysseus an ox-hide bag of all the winds except the west to ensure their safe return home. Upon approaching Itcha, Odysseus becomes overwhelmed with tiredness and falls asleep. Out of curiosity, his crew opens the bag, releasing the destructive winds of the north, south, and east, which blow their ship away from Ithica and back to Aeolus. At this point, Aeolus refuses any further help, believing their voyage to be cursed. This tradition was continued by witches and sorcerers throughout Europe would be commissioned to capture winds in bags and tie the bags closed using a series of knots. The winds could be controlled by sailors by loosening or tightening the knots.

In other traditions, Air is deeply associated with breath, the life-giver. In ancient Greece, this breath of life was referred to as pneuma, which later became translated into soul or spirit. I'll address pneuma in more detail in later posts, but I wanted to mention it here because, without breath, life ceases to exist, and as such a number of superstitions arose around breath. For example, when passing by a cemetery one should hold their breath to avoid breathing in the spirit of someone who recently passed. In multiple cultures around the world, we see tales of the night hag, a demon who sits on your chest and steals your breath away, a phenomenon now referred to as sleep paralysis. For centuries in England, it was believed cats should suck an infant's breath away, causing the baby to die. In 1791, a jury in Plymouth, England convicted a cat of infanticide while in 1929 in Nebraska, a supposed doctor claimed to have witnessed a cat "lying on the baby's breast, pay on either side of the babe's mouth, the cat's lips pressing those of the child and the infant's face as pale as that of a corpse, its lips with the blueness of death." This idea persists even in modern times, despite their not being any evidence that cats suffocate babies in this way. However, the idea that breath is linked to life is an important one, giving Air its association with life and death.

In modern times, Air is often associated with wisdom, logic, and knowledge, although where this originated from is largely undocumented, at least I couldn't find any folklore associated with it. Knowledge is often linked in folklore to the cauldron, which is a symbol of Water, not Air, so if you happen to know where this tradition originated from, please reach out to me. 



Below is a quick correspondence guide for water, including a free printable page for your Book of Shadows!

Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mercury, Jupiter
Time: Dawn
Season: Spring
Direction: East
Tarot Cards: Wands (or Swords depending on the tradition)
Zodiac: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Symbolism: Intelligence, wisdom, knowledge, logic, thought, communication, truth, inspiration, intuition, memory, creativity
Symbols: Feather, wand, staff, incense, censer, pen, broom, bell, sword, sky, wind, clouds, breeze, breath, wind chimes
Deities: Zeus, Aradia, Nuit, Thoth, Urania, Cardea, Enlil, Kheoheva, Merawrim, Shu, Arianrhod, Hermes, Morrigan, Mercury, Aeolus, Boreas, Zephyrus, Notus, Eurus, 
Nature Spirits: Winged fairies, sprites, spirits, sylphs, zephyrs
Colors: Yellow, gold, white, light blue, pastels
Food and Drink: Beans, lentils, leafy greens, toast, cabbage, grains, carbonated beverages, popcorn, tofu, vinegar, rice cakes, puffed rice, dates, lingonberries, chickweed
Herbs: Bergamot, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, sage, dandelion, bluebell, clover, frankincense, primrose, lemongrass, pine, aspen, yarrow, violets, vervain, myrrh, dill, anise, aspen
Crystals and Gemstones: Amber, topaz, citrine, jasper, agate, pumice, alexandrite, amethyst, fluorite, mica, clear quartz
Animals: Birds, flying insects, spiders, bats





How does Air work with the other elements?

Air with Fire: Air can breathe life into Fire, helping the flames grow and spread, or Air can snuff Fire out when removed or if blown too hard. 
Air with Water: Air can hold Water in the form of humidity or clouds, blowing Water around the world. In their more powerful forms, they can also create hurricanes and thunderstorms.
Air with Earth: Air can erode Earth and carry particles of it away, while Earth can remain steadfast, even in the toughest of winds.



Your task for the next week or so is to track your local wind patterns. This can be done with a weather vane, windsock, or by licking your finger to feel which way the wind is blowing. If there is a particularly windy day, which many of us experience during the Fall months, stand with your face toward the wind, close your eyes, and lightly meditate with the breeze. Record these wind patterns along with any weather details, signs, symbols, or messages received while meditating with the wind.

In the next post, I will breakdown my findings and walk you through an inclusive Air connection ritual to deepen your connection with this lovely element.


Interest in the rest of the series? Here's what's to come!

Elemental Magic Series

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Tuesday, October 6, 2020

Whirlwood Magic Wand Review

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Just over a week ago, Garrison, from Whirlwood Magic Wands reached out to me about reviewing some of their wands. Not going to lie, I was jumping up and down when I read the email. Heck yes, I would love to review some magic wands, especially hand-carved ones! And I do not regret it one bit. These two wands are probably two of the most beautiful wands I have ever seen and they feel so comfortable in my hand.

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The first wand, which is my absolute favorite, is the Valentus wand. It's carved from a high-density hardwood, but feels as light as a feather. The intricate details of this wand are incredible and I love that it looks like a flowering tree branch. It sits perfectly in my hand and after working with it a bit over the weekend, it is great at directing energy. I am so glad I picked out this wand and could feel it calling to me through the computer screen. I know that probably sounds weird, but its the truth.

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The second wand is the Luna Chamber Magic Wand, which is part of their Harry Potter series. These wands come with a secret chamber that you can place small items. It comes with all the items to imitate the cores found in the wands in Harry Potter, but I prefer to use the chamber for other magical objects to enhance my spell work. For example, this chamber would be great for placing herbs and crystal chips to add an extra kick to your spells or the wand can be used as a spell chamber. If you are using the wand to cast a circle, try adding clear quartz to the want to amplify your power or if you are looking to banish energies, try adding smoky quartz or black onyx. This wand is slightly heavier, but still rather light and like the Valentus, sits really well in my hand. I didn't work with this wand too much over the weekend, but it has powerful positive energy radiating from it and I look forward to using it in the future.

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Overall, I am thrilled with these wands and think you witches will adore them too. Their regular wands are all very decently priced at just $30, while the chambered wands are more expensive at $70. Each wand is handcrafted and therefore unique to others carved in a similar style and because they are hand-carved, each one is infused with the creative energies of those doing the carving. They both come with beautiful velvet pouches to keep them safe and away from other energies when not in use. Much of Whirlwood's business comes from festival sales, and with many festivals closed across the country due to COVID-19 they have lost a revenue stream. It's important, now more than ever, to support our small businesses. If you are in the market for a wand and have a bit of money to spare, I highly encourage you to check our Whirlwood Magic Wands.

***
Like I do with the subscription boxed, I thought I would include a pros and cons list for these wands as well to give you a better breakdown.

Pros:

  • Everything comes in eco-friendly packaging, which I adore. Two boxes and some tissue paper is all the packaging used for the wands, which was enough to deliver it safely and all easily recyclable.
  • The item quality is great and the wands are handmade. Each wand is individually carved from the highest quality woods.
  • They are lightweight which is perfect for magical workings. You don't want anything too heavy in your hands when directing energy.
  • Each wand comes with a velvet pouch. These pouches are a great way to protect the wands from residual energy when not in use.
  • All the wands are reasonably priced. The regular wands at just $30 while the chambered wands are $70, a fair price for a hand-crafted wand.
  • They are a small business. I fully support small businesses and find the quality and care is always so much better than big-box stores and mass-market items.
  • Fast shipping! The wands were here within a week of being ordered and shipped which is freaking awesome!

Cons:

  • The chambered wands are somewhat expensive. While $70 may be a lot for a wand to some people, they have other options available.
OVERALL: 5 out of 5 stars 

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