#nature worship
Hyssop
Purging; purification; an apotropiac. In Christianity, it signifies penitence; humility; its purgative properties depict innocence regained, hence baptism.
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Jaguar
Aztec: The powers of darkness in conflict with the solar eagle.
Mexican: The messenger of forest spirits.
Shamanistic: The jaguar is sometimes a familiar spirit of, or a form taken by, the Shaman.
[Source: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols by J.C. Cooper]
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Lizard
A lunar creature; the humid principle; believed to be tongueless and subsist on dew, the lizard was a symbol of silence.
In Egyptian and Greek symbolism, it represented divine wisdom and good fortune and was an attribute of Serapis and Hermes; in Zoroastrianism it was a symbol of Ahriman and evil.
In Christianity it is also evil and the Devil. The lizard is an attribute of Sabazios and usually appears on the hand of Sabazios.
In Roman mythology it was supposed to sleep through the winter and so symbolized death and resurrection. The lizard Tarrotarro is an aboriginal Australian culture hero.
[Source: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols by J.C. Cooper]
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Harp
Shares the symbolism of the ladder as leading to the next world. The harpist is Death. An emblem of King David in the Old Testament, and of Wales, and an attribute of Dagda, the Celtic fire god, who calls up the seasons and whose playing originally brought about the change of the seasons.
[Source: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols by J.C. Cooper]
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“O Bacchanals, come,
Oh, come!
Sing Dionysus,
Sing to the trimbel,
The deep-voiced trimbel!
Joyfully praise him,
Him who brings joy!
Holy, all holy
Music is calling!
To the hills, to the hills,
Fly, O Bacchanal
Swift of foot!
On, O joyful, be fleet!”
[Source: Mythology, Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes by Edith Hamilton]
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A breadth of work with James Shedd. I’m, like, gaga over this photographer. He is truly a wonder and a very nice man!
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Self-isolation Earth grounding and intention setting
With many of our lives in disarray and our hearts full of anxiety, I wanted to share some words that could be used alone or within a spell. Personally I spoke these while tending to my plants and setting my intentions for the following few weeks. I encourage you to adapt these words to match your will but hopefully this might help someone out!
“I place my trust in the Earth and give Her my love and reverence. As I tend to Her will through spreading kindness and peace may my roots deepen and my mind be settled. May my branches reach those in need during this difficult time and bring them much needed healing and peace. So is my will, so mote it be.”
Stay safe my fellow witches! Many blessings to you and your hearth, Runa x
My main goal when sharing the knowledge I’ve picked up over the years is to show other witches easy and simple ways to incorporate their practice into everyday life. In a world where young witches hide who they are and old witches have been caught up in the day to day struggles of a modern life, I want to inspire them to keep following the path in their hearts. So with that in mind here is my list of easy ways to celebrate the spookiest sabbat of the year!
1. Decorate your altar- remember it doesnt have to be large and extravagant. Especially if you are a witch with a low budget or a closet witch. A small shelf, a window sill, a hidden area of your bedroom closet, or the base of a tree in your yard or a local nearby park are all acceptable places to set up your altar.
- you do not have to purchase decorations nor do you have to have a million candles, crystals, or decorative skulls. Witchcraft is a nature based practice, meaning you can feel free to decorate with items you find outside such as: dead leaves, acorns, corn stalks, squash, pretty rocks, ect.
- all altars are beautiful, don’t get caught up scrolling through tumblr posts of “altar aesthetics” Big, elaborate, and beautiful altars are great, but that doesnt make a small and simple altar any less great.
- Samhain is similar to the mexican “Day of the Dead” in the fact that we honor the spirits in the otherworld and remember our ancestry and heritage.
- ways to honor your ancestors include burning a candle, taking a moment of silence, exchanging favorite stories from the deseased life with loved ones, or any other ways you personally show respect for the dead
- these cookie/biscuit like cakes are really simple and easy to make and can be left as offerings at you altar, at the base of a tree, or at loved ones graves.
- the simplest recipe I found only needs: 1 stick of butter, 1 ½ cup sugar, 1 ½ cup flour, and 1 egg. First mix the butter and sugar thoroughly and then mix in the flour and egg. Then you use the dough to make little cookies, put them on your baking pan, and cook them for 10-15 minutes at 350°
- if you want to add more to your soul cakes you can also add: cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin spice, and/or malt vinegar.
- Along with honoring the spirits of those who have passed before us, Samhain also marks the end of the seasons filled with life and growth. It is the beginning of a season that is dark and dead, but to witches that doesn’t mean anything negative! Its is our new year, and it begins quietly, peacefully, and from a truely blank slate.
- Now is a good time to cleanse yourself and your tools. So you can begin your year as unburdened and refreshed as possible.
- take some time to also reflect upon yourself. Congratulate yourself on all the amazing things you have accomplished and forgive your inevitable mistakes. Make peace with your year and open your heart and soul to the future.
Earthing- The act of going outdoors barefoot and absorbing the earth’s energy through the soles of your feet. Sometimes we don’t need crystals, herbs, incense, or oils to cleanse and replenish our aura. Next time you are feeling out of balance try simply taking yourself outside and wiggling your naked toes in the dirt or grass. Feel the circle of life around you, connect with mother nature and she will reward your effort with healing and peace.
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Witches that also struggle with an anxiety disorder?
December 19 (2016) - January 8 (2017)
April 9 - May 3
August 12 - September 5December 3 - December 22
☀☉
Inktober day 31 - risk
Both Mother and Nature cradle their beloveds in
Giovanni Segantini’s “L’angelo della Vita,” one of our “25 Best Mother & Child” paintings list! See more: https://templeofapelles.com/25-best-mother-child-paintings/ A tender illustration of the important connectedness of feminine, nature, & nurture.
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