In Sickness and In Health

Nothing like losing an entire week to illness to throw off ones entire routine. I'm still not at 100% but recovery is slowly coming along. It used to be that the herbal medicines I grew up taking could knock a cold out in a weekend. Now, I don't know if it's my own failure to keep my immune system up or if this years bug is just that awful, but I've been laid up for over a week. Fever, sinus infection, junky cough, sore throat, going thru 10 boxes of tissues in 6 days (my nose is sooooo red >_<), and finally coughing so hard that gave me a bout of laryngitis that has lasted about 4 days now. So yeah, I had FUN this week. I'm so far behind on my blog lists, emails, and everything else....

I've got to get started on more occulty things for February. I've been planning a shrine/altar to Erzulie Freda for months, and with all the Valentines Day stuff n the craft stores, now is the perfect time to build it. I've also left my Norse studies fall by the wayside, however since I've been sick, I thnk The Old Man will forgive me. I also need to get back to my yoga classes. Three large snow storms in a week certainly didn't help motiveate me to leave the house while I was still well :p

Thank you to my followers! I promise I'll have more things to post about just as soon as I get them done.

American Gods

This book makes so much more sense after reading up on Norse mythology and getting a better sense of what the Old Man is like. It also helps to pass the time while being sick.

Dark Winter, Dark Magick: Vinegar Bottle

No, Jack I said 'vinegar', not 'jar-o-dirt'.

 
So on the Dark Moon, I made a little special something. I wrote previously about a co-worker (Darth A-Hole) who believes that he can do whatever he likes, regardless of the consequences to others "Because [he] Can." I have personally witnessed this excuse for a human being in action, gloating over his deeds, while his (now ex)girlfriend was weeping to me and begging for some kind of help or guidance.

Now, this was not a task I took lightly. I consulted various oracles before committing to cast anything, just to be sure. My pendulum almost smacked me in the face, it swung so hard.

I had already cast a small hex on Darth A-Hole that resulted in his being demoted and forced to work 3rd shift, after having spent the last 2 years thinking he was cock-of-the-walk and getting away with all sorts of bullshit. In doing a second Working on him, I didn't want to get too indepth. I figured a souring spell mixed with a binding (to keep him from doing harm to others) would be the best option.

Vinegar spells are popular in Hoodoo and I have a certain affinity for the down and dirty feeling of Hoodoo rootwork. I scoured my resources and books, finally adapting a few spells and tips from the Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells  .

*** The following is a basic account of what I did to make the spell bottle, not an actual formula. I don't usually write my spells and formulas down, as many are concocted on the fly.***

First, I wrote his full name on a slip of paper and tucked it into an empty vodka nip-sized bottle.
I then poured in enough salt to cover the bottom of the jar (to protect others from his influence and 'seal' the bottle's energies).
Next, I added Angelica root (Angelica root in considered a woman's domination herb, as opposed to High John root, which is traditionally masculine) to make him bow to a woman's control; Rosemary, another woman's herb, to protect and offer more control to the women around him; and Rue, to make him rue the day he decided "Because I Can" should be his justification to trample on others.
I topped it off with apple cider vinegar, to generally 'sour' his life and make him actually face the consequences for his actions.
The bottle was then sealed with black wax (I had a black tealight with his name carved onto it) and painted the bottle three colors: White, for protection and make sure whatever befell him wasn't truly dangerous, just instructive; Red, for powerful and swift action; and Black, to ensure that his own negativity would be sent back to him at full force.
Even though the paint was still kinda wet, I wrapped some black yarn around the bottle to fully bind him and his actions, tied with nine knots to seal it. A final dip in the melted wax and it was done.

I then scrubbed my hands with a mixture of Dead Sea Salts, Dragon's Blood, and Hyssop extract to get all the paint and negativity off.

The bottle sat on my Altar since the Dark Moon. I find that letting a hex 'brew and ferment' for a little while often increases the power.

Today, I presented the bottle to his Ex, who still must live with him and whom he still tries to control. She was instructed to merely keep the bottle in a safe, dark place, and every now and then, when he's being particularly prick-ish, to just give it a shake and know that things would be taken care of.

Some would call me a Wicked Witch for hexing a co-worker like this. Some would argue that I'm interfering with his Free Will and that I should leave things for Karma to sort out.

This is a man who has hit at least one woman, and probably a few more, who blatantly breaks the rules of our job, and yet is never reprimanded (even for serious things like leaving a 3rd-shift trainee ALONE on her second night for over an hour). I could go on, but let me put it this way: Even his own immediate FAMILY members can't stand him.

I am a Libra, we seek Balance and Justice. I see this a just giving Karma a little shove in the right direction.

Impatient, are We?

We're supposed to get a huge 'Snowpocalypse" starting around midnight. I told the Old Man that I would get him His whiskey (Canadian Mist, until I can afford better) when the snow started coming down.

Two minutes later, I look out the window and  these huge, fat, snowflakes are just pouring down from teh sky.

Ok, Ok, Allfather, I'm coming ^_^

Dark Magick: My Version

Dark Magick. Yeah, I've walked down that way a few times.

I've never killed an animal and used it's blood. I've never cast a curse or hex on random people just to cause trouble. I don't communicate with demons (that I know of) and I've already sold my soul to Satan (I wanted a PS2 and damned if I would get it!)

But, I have used blood and sexual fluids in my spells. I've cast a few minor hexes and at least one major Curse (all on fully deserving parties, I assure you.) I have also used legal and somewhat-illegal plant materials. I can hurt, but I can also heal, and my Healing Magicks have become stronger.

Dark Magick (for me anyway) is the stuff you didn't read about in Wicca/Witchcraft/Paganism 101. It's the darker things that have a nothing to do with the God and Goddess and worship and fairies and healing energies and white light. These are the spells that involve getting your hands dirty, literally and figuratively, and using methods that many would consider taboo.

But I will say this: My Workings have become 10 times more effective ever since I started venturing into the more shadowy side of the Occult. The methods I use to manifest my desires may not agree with most people, but they Harm None, and I Can Do As I Will.

Old God, New Music

So, I'm assembling a playlist for a Working later tonight, one that will require me getting into a righteous, angry and determined mindset.

I 'feel' a nudge on my left side and a voice in my mental ear says 'Get B to give you his collection of Amon Amarth. You'll find something in there.'





The Old Man sighs almost wistfully and nods his head to the music. 'If only the bards and musicians had had THESE kinds of instruments in My Day. Nothing scares the shit out of your enemies more than stuff like this.'

Can't argue with logic like that ;)

By What Right?

"Why would you do that?" I asked, truly appalled at what Darth A-Hole had just blithely told me.

"Because I can." As if it was that simple and I was an idiot for not knowing in the first place.

If that's his life philosophy, I can see why he's managed to get so much going his way, in spite of the fact that he's a lazy, ignorant, abusive, conniving, sneaky little weasel.

What about those of us with moral compasses? "Because I Can" is NOT fucking excuse for being a douchebag. Unfortunately, as B pointed out to me (much to my annoyance) that the world works along a similar mindset.

But I just can't help but feel that something can and SHOULD be done to change that.... But by what right do I get to say who can do what they want and who can't? one could argue  "Free Will" and  Karma, and the Rede, but when a person's philosophy on life involves trampling on anyone who gets in their way, this is where i enter a grey area.

If you thrive on actively hurting or hindering other people's lives, just so you can be 'amused', then you're fucking around with their Free Will and that is something I cannot stand.

The Dark Moon is on the 3rd. A month ago, I placed a small Hex on this individual and it worked. I am deeply debating on whether or not I should do another one. The All-Father has yet to weigh in his opinion, although i do feel this is a sort of test. I'm hoping that the Norse Myths I'm currently reading will give me a clue, although there will be some serious meditation on the matter in the coming days.

Especially since I'll only have one day to grab any herbs from the Shop.

No sooner do I take out one of my Chocolate Raspberry Nips and offer it to the Old Man, than the wind dies down completely. It's not whiskey, but it works.

Old One-Eye Came to Visit

Last night, as just about everyone knows, was the Yuleclipse. For the first time in several hundred years (I've heard since 1348, 1654, and several other dates, depending on the sources) we had a Total Lunar Eclipse, on December 21st, The Winter Solstice and Longest night of the year, PLUS the second Full Moon to fall on a significant pagan Holiday ( Halloween was also on a Full Moon). I caught the first part of the moon waning, but by the time it was totally covered, the clouds had moved in overhead.

But, You bet your ass I did something special!

I had NEVER put so much planning and care into a ritual before. Normally I'm spontaneous or just have a basic idea and gather together my tools at the moment of Working. This time I went all out. Everything I'd thought about doing was confirmed by Blogomancy (Every other blog I was reading had a post about the very subjects I was thinking of working on for this ritual. If that's not confirmation from the Universe, IDK what is!). Forget Tarot or the Pendulum, Blogomancy is turning into a very fun form of divination!

What I wasn't expecting was a certain Deity to crash the party (altho I don't think it's too OOC for him).

Old One-Eye Himself.
Talk about feeling awkward, since I literally know NOTHING about Norse mythology.

He spoke to me through the only one-eyed vessel I had at the Altar:

-THIS- is going to be interesting.


Divine Party-Crashers aside, the whole ritual worked out to levels I did NOT expect. Even with the minor timing set backs of hunting down last-minute items (my figurines had fallen out of their box in the Water Closet, so B had to help me look) Merc. Retrograde didn't hinder me in the slightest. 

Although the playlists were a little spooky...

At one point, B came home and nearly interrupted my concentration early on, and I had to skip back 2 songs to get back into the mood. Half-way thru the first song, the track jumped to the next one, without my touching the iPhone at all. O.o After that, the music was in PERFECT synch with everything else. The entire playlist was just over 80mins long and I started it about 20 before the Eclipse was set to start.

I get the feeling a certain Old Man wanted me to hurry up and get to the good parts.

The entire thing was amazing, insightful, and worked out amazingly well. The fears and doubts of the last year have been burned away and scattered tot he winds. The Blessiungs have been written, tied to the Yule-Chunk** and spent the night charging under the Eclipse and in the morning sunlight. It will be burned in Mom's fireplace on Christmas Morning.

This is going to be an *Interesting* year.

** Yule-Chunk = Chunk of wind-storm-toppled Oak that died last spring. Too dry for carving, too small for a Log, it's a Yule Chunk this year.

Plotting and Planning

I have never put this much effort and preparation into my spell work,. This is going to be EPIC.

Don't Need To Tell Me Twice!

Jason Miller over at Strategic Sorcery posted this today.

According to Tibetan Shaman, the eclipse is caused by Rahulas, demonic planets, temporarily devouring the sun or moon so that they gain more power. Not only are your actions more powerful at this time, but they are more needed by the world because the eclipse is seen as moment of ill-omen leaving a gate open for negative influence.

Now you may not know this about me, but I am the mythic Yuleclipse Fairy. I need you to know a few things.

Tuesday is a lunar eclipse. It will be visible from most of North America

Tuesday is also the Winter Solstice - the longest night.

Tuesday is the first night that a lunar eclipse has occured on a Winter Solstice in 456 years.

Tuesday is the day that you will be outside doing magic.

If you don't do something I will know and I will be displeased.  You don't want to piss me off. Just get your lazy ass out there and meditate, cast a spell, dance a jig, do something!

 *Snaps to attention* SIR, YES, SIR! Talk about having your decisions confirmed by the Universe O.o

Note to Self

( Remember the visions last night. You are a Witch. They walk between the worlds. You live between the 2 worlds you know: the light and the Dark. You came from the Light, He comes from the Dark, but you both strive for some happy medium in between. Neither of you wants to descend into Darkness completely. You must learn to walk the Hedgerow of your world. Not just between the Worlds, but between the Urban and Suburban Worlds. You aren't out of the wilderness entirely, nor are you at the city limits. You are in the open plains between and you are both exposed and covered. You have to find the balanced point between the 2 worlds until you can rally the troops and head into the Light world.)

(You are NOT the Tree anymore. You are the Bird that lights on a branch, flies int eh Air, and still comes back to Earth for her nourishment. Stop spending so much time 'Grounding' or else you're going to be so Grounded that you become a peg.)

Battle Stations Ready.

iPod full of holiday music?
Check
Frankincense and Myrrh oil in the diffuser?
Check
Boxes of decorations?
Check
Tree?
Check
Extra lights and extension cord?
Check
Tape and tacks?
Check
Intoxicant of choice?
Check


Ok, cats, look the fuck out because Mommy is decorating for X-mas!



I don't celebrate Yule, or really even the Solstice, at least not formally. I prefer the celebration of X-Mas and reveling in the sheer amounts of sappiness I'm allowed to wallow in. This is the one time of year when I refuse to let the evils of the world get to me. When Miracles are possible and even the hardest of hearts can grow 3 sizes too large without requiring an EMT.

So if ya'll will excuse me, I'm going to go clear the living room, listen to Christmas Comedy songs, and put up the tree. If I can find my bottle of Forest Blend oil, then it will be perfect. If not, then Frank&Myrrh works just as well.

Free Birth Chart

Natal reading for 10/16/1983 in Northampton, MA

"How 'Bout a Little FIRE, Scarecrow?"

Fire is the one element that I am absolutely devoid of. Being pyrophobic is one possible answer as to why. Another is that, I'm pretty certain that I was burned at the stake (more than once) during my past lives.

I've always been a pretty easy-going person, never having to really exert myself to get what I want. The Universe provided a lot for me and I grew complacent. I've never had to really WORK towards anything. I've grown into this soft, complacent lump of an armchair occultist and had I not met my current partner, I think I would have happily stayed that way.

But being with B has forced me to embrace the Fire Element into my life, whether or not I wanted to in the first place.  He has all his Elements in (somewhat) of a balance. He seems driven more by Fire than anything else, much like a certain elemental I could name, but with the positive attributes of the other 3 as well. Now that things are finally starting to align and the Universe is working WITH us, rather than against us, I've had the time to reflect and see what it is that -I- need to start working on to make my life how I want it.

Time to tap into any latent Fire Energy I've got hovering around me.

Your Existing Situation

"He lacks the motivation to put forth effort in achieving her goals. she feels neglected and insecure and is seeking a loving, secure, problem-free environment."

Your Stress Sources

"Unfulfilled hopes have left her feeling uncertain and even a little fearful about the future. Needs to feel secure and avoid further disappointment; fears she will be looked over, lose her position, or lose respect. Has little hope that things will get better in time and her negative attitude leads her to place impossible demands on others or to compromise or bargain."

Your Restrained Characteristics

Feels unhappy and isolated because she is unable to succeed in finding the cooperation and understanding she desires.
Current situation is leaving her doubtful and cautions about becoming intimately involved with others.
Current situation is leaving her doubtful and cautions about becoming intimately involved with others.

Your Desired Objective

Looking for an escape from her problems and current conflicts. Needs a peaceful and safe environment so that she can relax and recover from the stress. Wants a life free from conflict and full of security and peace.

Your Actual Problem

"Is disappointed and let down, feels there is no point in making new goals as they will leave her feeling the same way. Looking for friendly, pleasant relationships with others, who will further develop her intellect. she needs to escape into an environment which is stable and secure and will allow her to relax and feel more at peace."

fuck that's accurate

<!--ColorQuiz.com code-->
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<td>Turkituck took the free ColorQuiz.com personality test!<p><i>"Looking for an escape from her problems and curren..."</i><p>
<a href="http://www.colorquiz.com/results.php?code=f,2,1,5,7,4,3,6,0,4,6,0,1,3,5,7,2,4,1&p=print&name=Turkituck">Click here</a> to read the rest of the results.</td></tr></table>
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Gobble Gobble Nom Nom Nom

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Looking For a Mentor

 After many years of being an "Armchair Pagan" and reading anything I could get my hands on, I have come to the realization that I've gone as far as I can as a solitary. I have many pagan friends and acquaintances, but none of them have beliefs and methods that are even in the same ballpark that I do. At least, not that i"m aware of. My boyfriend, B, is a Satanist, and while I agree with many of their philosophies, I have purposefully stayed away from the rituals and magick of that particular belief system. While he has taught me a few basic techniques and tips, he really has no idea how to teach what he knows and it's frustrating to both of us. In the short time that he's been assisting me with the basics, I've finally reached a point where I KNOW I can go further, but I need someone to guide me who has gone down a similar path.

Having been a self-taught Eclectic for so many years, finding a name for my practices is hard. I'm not at all a ceremonial-type person, preferring the down and dirty magick workings with herbs, stones, sticks, energy, elements, and to a slight extent, Chaos Magick. I've been reading more and more about sex magick and have used a few of the techniques (as well as incorporating blood magick) into 1-2 major spells over the years. Not something that is a normal practice for me, but something I KNOW will work if I ever need fast results.



I need a mentor, but I have no idea where to look. I"m going to try sending this message to a few online Pagan groups I know  and see what happens. If nothing else, there may be someone out there who can point me in the right direction.

Tattoos

When I was little, my older brother got his first tattoos. I was very young and I couldn't understand why ANYONE would willingly have a bunch of needles inject ink into their skin. As much as I liked my brother's tattoos, anytime he joked about when I was going to get my own, I would practically throw a fit in my vehemence to declare that I would 'Never ever EVER" get inked.

A year and a half ago, I ate those words.

I had been wanting to get a tattoo for a while, toying with several ideas and designs, before finally narrowing down to two choices: A tribal fox tail or Michaelangelo of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Then Fenris died, and the choice was clear. I took Fenris' initials (N.R.F.) and created a memorial sigil for him. I added it to the perch that Mickey is sitting on and then began saving up to get the ink.

To the best of my knowledge, I'm the only one, so far, who has gotten a memorial tattoo for Fenris. It was something I HAD to do. It just felt RIGHT that my first tattoo have a double significance.

I've been wanting to get another tattoo for a while, I have this plan to get as much of my body modification done before I hit 30 as possible. Considering I got a late start by waiting till I was 24 to get my ears pierced, and given my own track record for being 10 years late for everything, I'll probably finish the transformation in time for my 40th birthday XD I had -thought- that the next piece I get done would be seven Fox pawprints going up my right leg.

The Universe, it seems, has other ideas.

Without getting too indepth (save it for another posting), the Universe has made it very clear that "One TMNT tattoo is NOT enough." I'm going to need the whole 'Set", so to speak. I've already started sketching the next one, and if I can budget myself over the next year, I will be getting it before my next birthday.

I highly doubt I'll be able to get so lucky as I did the first time, and have Mark Bode do my next one. It can't hurt to try, though ;)