Posts
Sssshhhhhhh...To Be Silent
But not in the bad way, like not speaking up when the vulnerable are being slaughtered and beaten and carted away. To Be Silent in magikal ways. Not blabbing about our intentions and spell working and prayers. Can't trust the internet or technology. Never know who's listening (yes I'm aware of the irony as I type this on a public blog.) Do as Tricksters do and work from the shadows. Work with those on the Other side. Work with other shapeshifters. Two posts from Virtual Fire Proto-Grove: Loki's Unexpected Twist By Emily Guenther Three Messages from Loki to the World by John Beckett Aye, I've been told the same from Loki, Hekate, and other entities, especially this year. The importance of joy and shapeshifting during these Tower Times. Messages that have been given multiple times during the omens, and not just from me. Joy, protections, shapeshifting. Loki's been teaching me shapeshifting for a while, and while I could only focus on how I suck with maski
Breathe, Grieve, Weep, Repeat
Tonight is the ritual with Virtual Fire, and like many if feels like I got kicked in the gut by the Gods, so I'm not in much of a honoring the Gods mood. Not attending tonight. Just feeling the emotions, the grief, and letting the tears fall. Waves of fear, rage, uncertainty, hopelessness, crisis, and distrust of myself and Them...as well as waves of understanding, drive, anger, hope, community, fight, and faith. I'm a hot mess at the moment. Afraid for my loved ones, neighbors, strangers. Afraid of my loved ones, neighbors, strangers.... Afraid for myself and feeling like I can't protect my kids--which is just the worst feeling in the world. Doubting my psychic abilities and my magik. Doubting my Gods. Doubting people. A real crisis of faith. I am oathed and serve as Priestess and Spirit Worker to many Gods and yet...I'm having a spiritual crisis. Not in Their existence, but in Their agendas. I can't exactly quit. But also not sure that I want to. On one hand,
Maybe I'm Not the Weird One, Maybe This Friendship Thing Is?
Okay, no. I'm also weird! I just want to clarify that Virtual Fire hasn't made me feel like an outsider at all--all of yall have been incredibly kind. It's just my experiences and fears bubbling to the surface. And also me trying to figure out weird, contradictory social rules, right? I'm still going to try to speak last when omen volunteers are asked for. I really love this grove and I don't want to fuck it up. After I posted the last post, the next day the depression was gone. Things were clearer and I didn't feel as vulnerable and like a loser who can't keep friends. I'm never really had a lot of friends--I'm a homebody and I'm also careful...or I thought I was careful with interacting with people. It would appear that my techno-psychic abilities aren't as sharp as I thought they were. Over the last few years, I've had some abusive friendships and met some selfish, two-faced people. I didn't realize that I was so naive! An
The Balance of Compromise...or Is It Sacrifice?
I had a great Halloween and Midfall. It was also my Handfasting Anniversary on the 31st, and that was wonderful, too. I didn't attend Three Crane Grove's rite because our neighborhood held their Trick or Treat night. I also decided to not pay my Friend dues to TCG this October because I'm just in a weird place. I've been dealing with a lot of grief and depression, and just fighting with myself this fall. Virtual Fire did have a rite, and I offered to do the omen, but only if others didn't want to. And I want others to want to, too. I think instead of offering first, I'll stay quiet and let others volunteer. I don't want anyone to think that I'm trying to take over as the main seer, ya know? It's my favorite part and I'm good at it, but I don't want others to feel that they shouldn't volunteer just because I'm present. Or because I've said, "I will if no one else wants to." I don't mind being a default rea
Different Kinds of Rituals
I'm trying to work on my Midfall ritual, but alas, I just lack the motivation and inspiration to do so. Normally Midfall is my favorite ritual, and this is usually my favorite time of the year, but since 2011, October's been over shadowed by heavy grief energy. I had a miscarriage that month and year, but have long since healed from it, knowing that my son Nathan is fine on the other side. From that kind of grief to financial grief, it didn't get easier. It got even more stressful, especially once our landlord in 2022, evicted us so they could refurbish the unit. That was a super stressful time, but Gods willing, we ended up at our currant home--an upgrade to a kind landlord (I didn't know those actually existed!) and not being in an apartment anymore. We're not attached to anyone, we have a driveway, and we're in a safe neighborhood. However, I'm also still healing from the trauma from our last landlord. Oofff. Dude was a jackass--a jackass who I
The Cauldron and The Sight
I did omen last night for Virtual Fire's weekly rite. Last night was a cauldron ritual honoring Cerridwen. I think the last cauldron rite was done by the same person...maybe...either way it was my second one. I don't work with my cauldrons as often as I used to. I have two. One in the traditional shape and one for camping. The camping one I use for the Norse offerings and hearth magiks. The other big one just sits on my counter, by my teas. I need to clean it up, because at our last place the sink had a bad leak and the Just-In-Case of leaks bowl (because that bitch leaked a lot) had moved, so my cauldron got a lot of water damage. It's really rusted on the inside. It's cast iron, so I'm not sure if I need to take some steel wool to it or what, or just retire it. I need to look it up. I was raised around iron cast cookware, but never taught how to care for it. I know for unrusted, you heat it up in the oven and use oil to season it, but never soap and
I'm still around. I've been taking Moderation to heart. Last Sunday I was working at Pagan Fest, and yesterday I went to the zoo. Today is my brother's birthday and tomorrow is my mom's 1 year death anniversary. Normally I'd be trying to do everything and blog. It's all just much, ya know? Moooooderation. Be well!
Pagan Virtue #8: Moderation
Moderation Do not over/under indulge Spirit of Moderation by Rev. Dangler Firmly placed, set within the bosom of the Earth, I stand upon firm foundation. The rock of moderation is fertile ground That offers me lessons I honor. Upon this rock, I learn Self-Discipline; Reminded to trust myself and my fellows, I let go of judgement and fear. Moderation, keep my hand firmly in control. When I pause, reflecting, you bring to light The stillness and center the cosmos offers. From within, I remind myself to hold to Reliability, And to be that rock for others when the seas are rough. No matter the storm or winds I encounter, I return to you, Moderation, To find understanding joy in the ordinary. Reflections and Notes: Hellenic Pillar of Metriotes - Everything in moderation. Hellenic Pillar of Sophrosune - Self Discipline. The witch rune Crossroads - Rune of Decisions, and for me over time, Self Discipline. Dionysus, a god of many things, especially Moderation. I know many addicts who've
Leaf, Antler, and Fog
Persephone's Descent ritual last night went really well. It finally rained--during the Three Cranes Grove ritual. During the Hallowing of the Waters, my kids and I were outside dancing in the sprinkles, yelling at the sky, "KINDREDS AND SPIRITS ALL, GIVE US THE WATERS!" We finally got lot of rain after weeks of drought! I did the ritual inside, and due to space, I didn't have as many items on the altar. Changes: Inside Off the ground Hestia got dried rosemary offering instead of salted flour Bee got plain sugar instead of sugar water Persephone picked the Elder Futhark runes instead of any of the Greek or neutral divination tools I have. I played music in the beginning--Mama Gina's Persephone . With the ritual script on my phone and DSLR by my side, the ritual went a little something like this: I began the rite with lights on, and Mama Gina's Persephone playing on the altar. When I invited Hestia, I turned off the room light and opened that copper color