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I'm sorry cuz i keep making such controversial posts! But this has to be said.

If you convert to a pagan religion thinking you will escape "obeying the rules" or "sinning" , you are weird.

Not only is that a misconception that paganism has no rules to worship, but it's ignorant when people do that WITH MULTIPLE PANTHEONS, and take those deities they worship out of their cultural and historical context...

Pick a Picture - What Message Does The Natural World Have For You? 💚🪲🌱

Pick the image that calls to you and scroll to their respective message. If the message does not resonate or feel 'right', then leave it for another and move on. I would love if you replied or dmed me to let me know if the message DID resonate!! Pictures chosen randomly from pinterest. I used the Tarot of the Divine by Yoshi Yoshitani.

🐦‍⬛ PILE 1 - Deer and Crow Cards: Eight of Swords rv, Ten of Wands, Queen of Cups rv

This is a message from the natural world, and yet there are no pentacles - no cards representing the earth. You have grown disconected from the world around you, so caught up in yourself and your own feelings that you have failed to notice the changes around you; are you aware of how the moon has changed this cycle? Have you noticed the changes in flower blooms or the absence of certain bird calls? You have been so wrapped up in your own world that a lifetime has passed in the world around you. The Eight of Swords is a cage that you have built around yourself, you have bound yourself to your troubles and then lost yourself to the victimhood that you created. Now, it is time to let go. The pain is familiar but the sword only hurts because you still hold it. Let it go. The Ten of Wands is the central card, and the only upright one; it is time to accept that the end has come and that you need to move on. If you don't you will become stagnant and burdened by 'it'. Endings can be so difficult, we want to hold on for as long as we can, but we must accept that everything comes to an end. But when one flower dies, another takes it place, not the same perhaps, but beautiful still. The Queen of Cups, as the only court card, represents you. Typically, the Queen of Cups is a kind, intuitive figure - she listens to others and her own heart. But here the Queen is reversed. Your emotions relating to this change are compromised, you are not listening to your intuition or to others, only your selfish desire. Take a step back, breath, and recognise that deep down your heart and body know you must let go.

🌊 PILE 2 - Deer in Water Cards: The High Priestess, The Empress, Nine of Wands rv

A message with tw omajor arcana speaks to me of great importance, this is not a message about your path or journey, it is not about your current troubles or wishes for the future. This is a message about your very being and who you are. The High Priestess is a keeper of incredible wisdom, she knows things that she has never read, heard secrets that no-one has whispered and wanders in the realm of moonlight and dreams. Listen to your intuition and your dreams because they are telling you the truth. A deer does not question it's urge to flee, or it's feeling that it is safe, it trusts its evolution and intuition and behaves accordingly, but that does not mean they are unaware. Listen to your body, where do you feel anger? How does it feel? Is it sharp? Warm? Does it sit in your ribcage or your stomach? Practice this for all your emotions so that you can recognise and respect them. The Empress is the card of a Mother, of Nature and her power of creation. This card is to remind you of her presence in your life. You are an animal, just the same as the birds outside your window or the fox that scurries through your garden. You have the same primal knowledge, the same instincts and feelings. Do not try to sanitise yourself or seperate yourself from the beasts because that is when you hurt people the most. You will feel anger and sadness, you will make mistakes, lash out and be cruel. There will be people who cannot forgive you, and others that can. This is how it is and you must accept that. Know your feelings, give them space and compassion. Only then can you work towards improving your behaviours and actions. The Nine of Wands is reversed, and the only minor arcana - this card is relevant only in tangent to the others. You are struggling to move forward in your healing. In your mind, your path to "redepemtion" is far too steep and rocky, you feel as though you will never be the person you want to be. And maybe you won't. But, if you stop trying to change yourself for others, if you stop trying to make yourself into this perfect, unfeeling, unbothered martyr, then you will become the person that you are meant to be. The person who sits inside your irbs, nestled against your heart, whispering to you: "Run away from it all. Be free from them." Perhaps it is time to listen to that voice.

🌼 PILE 3 - Deer in Meadow Cards: Justice, Seven of Pentacles rv, Eight of Wands rv

The Major Arcana, Justice, is a representative of the Air element - truth, intellect, communication are the pillars of the element and this is where your message lies. You are searching for the truth in a matter. The Justice card speaks of truth, but also of actions and consequence - a double edged blade. Truth has a way of finding itself to the surface, no matter how deep it is buried, and you have decided that you will be the one to find it. But remember, Justice must be impartial, you cannot dictate the truth based on what you wish it to be. Review the facts and context and make your decisions fairly. The Seven of Pentacles reversed signifies that you have been pouring a lot of energy into this search, this desperation to find the truth, but you are looking in the wrong place. You've become so blinded by what you think is true that you are digging only in places that could confirm it. But now, you've been searching here for so long that you feel giving up would be a waste or a failure. Do not invest your time where it will not bear fruit. The Eight of Wands is a similiar message, your progress is delayed and communication grows more difficult. Your answers lie just out of reach but you will reach them, it is just going to take time and effort. Make sure you are truly aligned with your goal, and willing to look in other places even if it will present a distatesteful answer. If you are not willing to accept a truth that hurts, look away. Stop trying to find a false truth in someone else, that is only a distraction from the blade that lays wedged between your own ribs - the one who put it there is behind you, so turn around.

How it feels to worship Mother Nature

Saw someone else do this with their deities so wanted to give it a go!

Might try writing something about my experiences and feelings of devotion as well - anybody else worship or work with an earth goddess? I'd love to hear about it!! 💚🪲🌱

How to Discern Sign from Coincidence

I've noticed that in both on and offline witchy and pagan communities a lot of people's first question relating to deity work and communication is "how do I tell if something is a sign" so I wanted to share my perspective and how I vet something as being a sign or message from my deity or not. This is a pretty simplified 'checklist', but it's important to note that signs are not my main form of communication with my deity which is why I'm quite 'conservative' in identification of them!

How many times? Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence but three times may be a sign. This is a general rule I use for signs like angel numbers, specific animals or imagery or something similiar. Though it doesn't always apply - for example, if I see five crows on a nearby roof I don't see it as a sign because that is a very common sight where I live. But if I see three deer near my house in one day, that IS pretty mystical.

How unusual is it? If something 'makes sense' or can be easily explained by mundane reasons it is less likely to be a sign, and this can work in "levels". E.g. if I see a spider in the corner of my room, that's pretty unlikely to be a sign because that's just what spiders do. A spider running across a specific chapter in my book or tarot guide is still explainable but I'd probably check if it was meant to be a sign. And a sparrowhawk landing on my windowsill would almost definitely be a sign because they rarely come into the area where I live.

How does it make me feel? Sometimes I get a gut feeling that something is a sign or a message, even if it isn't unusual or has only happened once. This can easily be mistaken for 'wanting' something to be a sign so still vet and double check but the differentation does with time, experience and a growing relationship with a deity. Often, signs are clear that they are signs, because you're deity wants you to see them and so your intuition often drags your attention to the, and tells you that they're special somehow.

How do I confirm? I almost always vet signs and messages, typically it's just a quick tarot reading to confirm that something was a sign and what it might mean or represent. Often I'll also meditate or consider the sign to see what feelings or knowledge it inspires in me as well. Sometimes I don't need confirmation, I just know. But that has come with time and I would always check early in my relationship to my Mother Nature.

Important notes If something is just coincidence, that's okay, and it's still cool! So what if that crow wasn't a sign from a deity, you still got to see a crow! And so what if that fortune cookie message wasn't actually a message from your spirit guides, it can still be an inspiring and needed message! There is magic in the mundane and that's wonderful.

If you're new to paganism or witchcraft and want to work with a deity I will warn you to be wary and do a lot of research. Don't just assume: "I saw crows the other day, Odin must be reaching out to me." or "I found a bunch of rose petals on the floor so it must be aphrodite." Signs can mean a great number of things and if you truly believe it is a deity, vet and research source materials for that deity and pantheon. Ask for confirmation and take things slowly, it is very easy to trick yourself into seeing something you want to see.

Signs vary between practitioners and it's important to understand and respect that. What might mean one thing to you, means something entirely different to someone else - even if you're devoted to the same deity. While I always recommend checking original religious sources (if possible) for traditional omens and meanings, they will probably be quite unique to you!!

Tell me about some signs you've recieved from your deity or spirit guides (or whoever)! Mine tend to be animals or plants, which is definitely on brand!

Reminder that many new-agers and other neo- spiritual cults have appropriated so much from so many different religions. You are not immune to their terminology and ideology!!!

And even if something is an "open practice" (though it's rarely that cut and dry) you should still research the culture and history, you should still know where it originates from and how it has changed because neo- religions LOVE to ignore the true histories to further their agenda.

Think about terms you might use and research them, discover where they come from and if they're actually appropriate to include in your practice.

The western Chakras were appropriated in the 1800s from Hinduism and Buddhism.

Tarot was originally a Northern Italian card deck used to play card games like Tarocchini.

The "Qabalah" many occultists use today is stolen from Jewish Mysticism.

The "sabbat" names in the wiccan (or pagan) "calendar of the year" was mostly taken from Celtic cultures.

Smudging is an important ritual to many Indigenous communities and it is more than just burning some herbs. (Side note: White Sage is very sacred, and overharvested by Westerners)

Runes were part of Germanic languages long before they were used for divination.

Western Astrology stems from Mesopotamia, and Vedic Astrology originates in Hindiusm.

Things like Starseeds and Indigo children stem from the 1970s (not as ancient as new agers like to believe) and are similiar to the concept of fae Changlings - they're also very ableist concepts.

I'm not going to tell you what you can or cannot do or use in your craft. I have no authority and even if I did, I have no way of forcing you to follow it. All I am saying is please listen to these communities and their voices, and consider the history of the things you want to include. Make the best decision you can based on research and consideration, not what you think sounds cool. (Another side note: cultures, religions and communities are not a monolith, there will not always be one "right" answer, but that doesn't mean you get to cherry pick for the answer you want.)

Collective Reading from Mother Nature

Card: The Mirror (no. 12 in the Wildwood Tarot Deck)

Just one card for this message because I didn't need any more. The mesage rang loud and clear.

"The world is not pretty. Nature is not pretty or pure and humans are not evil. Morality is something that Man made up because of our social needs, because of our evolution. Good and evil, right and wrong exist not because of some divine intervention, or some secret knowledge only we are wise enough to use, but because our evolution created a need for social groups and rules to maintain them.

Nature can be cruel and unforgiving. Animals are well aware of what death is, of pain and suffering - a lion knows that the antelope it hunts will hurt and die, but still the lion must eat. Cats play with their food, cause them stress and panic as entertainment. Foxes often kill more than they need, simply because they enjoy it.

To call humans evil as whole, to call us parasites and villains, is no better than claiming we are special and important. It is still placing us apart from the rest of the natural world. We are animals. We are beasts with instincts and fears. Look to the world around you and see yourself reflected.

Do not give up on humankind. Do not give up on community and altruism. Do not give up on yourself and your capacity to be kind and helpful. "

A smaller, more actionable message:

Allow yourself to feel "evil" feelings. Feel hatred and anger and sadness if you must. If you cannot let it go, learn to live with it. You are not lesser than others because you hold darker feelings in your heart. Accept that you will hurt people, that people will hurt you and it isn't always forgivable. Accept that there are no clean decisions, no easy right or wrong. Accept that the world is ugly and chaotic and despite all of Man's efforts, nothing will ever fit neatly in artificial boxes. Accept these things but do not let them stain your world view. All of this is true, but people are still kind, they are still trying, and you must try too.

Find a stream, an ocean, a lake and look inside it. See yourself as you were meant to, huddled and head bowed as you make out your reflection in the moving, muddy water. See that you are no different than the other creatures who have seen this water.

Be kind where you can and forgive yourself where you can't. Accept your primal instincts and your cruel desires, know that they do not make you "evil" and move on. Do not be cruel unnecessarily, do not harm others for your entertainment or take more than you need, but do not linger on the times where you did or hate yourself for feeling the desire to do so.

Got a long train ride home tomorrow so

Ask me questions about Mother Nature!!!

Our relationship, her personality and appearances, working with her, anything!

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I've always had a love of green witchcraft, which I've practiced for 19 years now, and over the years, that gave way to a penchant for domestic magic. As spring approaches, I've been in a big cleaning mood, which has led to one of my favorite ways to incorporate my craft into the mundane: herbal infused vinegars to be used as a green cleaner

For this particular batch, I added orange peel (happiness and cleansing), juniper berries (protection, cleansing, prosperity), and lavender (love and calm) to white vinegar. I've never tried using any other types of vinegar in these, but if anyone has, let me know how it works for you!

As you do this, focus your intent on the ingredients. If you want to say some sort of incantation, feel free! I personally don't, but that comes down to preference.

Let the herbs infuse for a few weeks, making sure to give it all a good shake periodically. When it's ready, strain out the solid matter, and bam! Cleaner. I am especially fond of adding the solution to water and using it to mop.

The Kemetic Calendar: Months

It's really difficult to talk about and find a decent Egyptian calendar. So difficult that honestly, I've just created my own at this point.

The Egyptian calendar had 365 days, just like the modern western calendar. It consisted of three seasons with 120 days each, with an intercalary month of five epagomenal days to keep up with leap days. Each season was divided into four months of 30 days each.

Below are the seasons, and months.

Akhet (Flood). Roughly September to January in AE, but I celebrate it from January to May.

Month of Djehuty (Jan. 1-30)

Month of Pa'en-Opet (Jan. 31-Mar. 1)

Month of Hat-Hor (Mar. 2-31)

Month of Ka-Hor-Ka (Apr. 1-30)

Peret (Winter). Roughly January to May in AE, but I celebrate it from May to the end of August.

Month of Ta-ib (May 1-30)

Month of Makhir (May 31-Jun. 29)

Month of Pa'en-Amunhotepu (Jun. 30-Jul. 29)

Month of Pa'en-Renenutet (Jul. 30-Aug. 28)

Shemu (Summer). Roughly May to September, but I celebrate it from the end of August to the end of December.

Month of Pa-Khonsu (Aug. 29-Sep. 27)

Month of Pa'en-Inet (Sep. 28-Oct. 27)

Month of Apip (Oct. 28-Nov. 26)

Month of Mosu-Ra (Nov. 27-Dec. 26)

The Epagomenal Days. These were five days at the end of each year to help balance out leap days. After these days were done, the new year was celebrated. Each of these days celebrates the birth days of the deities they are named after. For me, they take place from December 27-31, although in Ancient Egypt they most likely would have taken place in late July/early August.

Meswet Wesir

Meswet Heru

Meswet Sutekh

Meswet Aset

Meswet Nebet-Het

I’ve been trying to find deities associated with ladybugs, but haven’t found much on the topic. Does anyone know of any gods?

Thanks in advance!!

Ogham Readings

Hello! As some of you know i am trying to raise money for top surgery, and after very careful consideration i have decided to offer ogham readings.

What is ogham?

The ogham alphabet is the earliest written form of the Irish language, originating sometime around 300BC. In the mythology, the alphabet was created by the god Ogma as a gift to humanity. Each letter has multiple associations, trees, birds, colors, ideas, and much more. This is an oversimplification of course, but the ogham alphabet is a key part of my practice. Modernly many Irish pagans use it for divination, charms, and artwork.

Using ogham is not a closed practice. Anyone is welcome to it, but it is very deeply entrenched in celtic cosmology and can only be understood in that context. This is why ogham readings can be a bit tricky to get the hang of.

What Im Offering

Ogham readings are a service i provide in real life to people in my grove, its one of my roles in our community. I'm new to doing this online, so feedback is appreciated! I am only comfortable giving readings to those over the age of 18. You do not have to be pagan or even religious to ask for one.

$5- one fid reading

i will pull one ogham stave and discuss its meaning, history, and core concepts with you. this could be something that needs more attention, a message for you, or a concept deeply tied to you as a person. through talking we can figure out its meaning in your life.

$10- answering a question

i will help you craft a question best suited to your needs and the oghams ability to answer. i will use my method of ogham divination which usually yields 3-5 staves. we will discuss the outcome and its meaning.

$20- three cauldrons

the three cauldrons are poetic energy centers in the body that are turned by joy and sorrow. there is the cauldron of warming, the cauldron of motion, and the cauldron of wisdom. this reading will look at each individual cauldron and provide insight on what you should focus on in those aspects of life to align your energy.

if there's something specific you'd like a reading on that doesn't quite fit one of these options let me know and we can negotiate price!

thank you 💚

☀️Deities☀️

I see so many people criticizing others over their relationships, or lack thereof, with their deities, so here are some reminders:

Not having deities is okay.

Having just a devotional relationship with your deities is okay.

Having a working relationship with your deities is okay.

Playing games with your deities is okay.

Harmless jokes with your deities are okay.

Doing fun things with your deities is okay.

Doing devotional offerings for your deities is okay.

Giving physical offerings to your deities is okay.

Not being able to do certain offerings for deities is okay.

Having an altar for your deities is okay, no matter the size.

Not having an altar for your deities is okay.

Laughing with your deities is okay.

Crying with your deities is okay.

Having genuine conversations with your deities is okay.

Being unable to hear/see deities is okay.

Being able to hear/see deities is okay.

Not being able to communicate through divination is okay.

Using divination as a key element in communication is okay.

Not calling on deities during spellwork is okay.

Asking deities to help during spellwork is okay.

Asking deities for help in general is okay.

This is your relationship with your deities in your practice. Don't let anyone tell you what you can and can't do. 🫶

It's 2am, please forgive me if there are any mistakes!

In paganism there seems to be an ongoing issue with people not acknowledging its many issues. Pagans will often claim to be the “accepting” religion, with an absence of sexism, racism, homophobia, etc. It does appear that way when you first enter it. This is a lie.

No religion is immune to bigotry, brainwashing, abuse and exploitation. Pagan communities can be breeding grounds for abuse just as churches.

White supremacy is rampant, as is cultural appropriation. Women are treated as reproductive objects while in other more modern spiritual circles exists misandry. All religions are capable of harm. Do not be arrogant enough to think ours is an exception.

I don’t know who needs to hear this but having doubts about your practice is totally normal and actually beneficial.

Questioning everything is intelligence.

Fellow pagans. Remember that the pagan experience is not purely an ex Christian experience. That experience is worth talking about, but please don't talk about the pagan experience as if leaving Christianity is universal to being neopagan.

Ex atheist pagans deserve to have their experiences acknowledged by the community.

Ex Muslim pagans deserve to have their experiences acknowledged by the community.

Non practicing Jewish pagans deserve to have their experiences acknowledged by the community.

Pagans who have been pagan for most or all of their life deserve to have their experiences acknowledged by the community.

What is your favorite magickal jewelry you like to wear?

I love wearing any jewelry that has color correspondence and/or has true meaning for me. I used to wear a ring that was also a mini watch that was in the shape of a bee. Bees for me are like a counterpart to the rose, they are sweet yet can sting but, for the bee, it will cost it’s life. I grew up having to learn multiple anger management techniques and I truly identify with having to keep a cool head in order to not ruin this lovely life that I have.

Cartomancy

A tarot styled divination method using standard playing cards. This oracle first appeared in Europe in the 14th century and is still used sporadically today. Practitioners of this divination are commonly called cartomancers. Cards can be laid in a variety of spreads and functions much like a tarot deck. As such, cartomancy decks should be designated and regarded with all the respect of a deck of tarot cards. The meanings of the cards are as follows:

Hearts

• Ace: Love, beginning, happiness, friendship

• King: Fair-haired man, affectionate and generous, but impetuous

• Queen: Fair-haired woman, trustworthy

• Jack: Fair-haired young person, good friend

• 10: Good fortune, joy

• 9: Desires fulfilled

• 8: Invitations/partings

• 7: Someone unreliable

• 6: Unexpected good fortune, generosity

• 5: Jealousy, indecision

• 4: Changes, travel

• 3: Need for caution

• 2: Friendship, success

Clubs

• Ace: Harmony, property, achievement, love

• King: Dark-haired man, honest, open

• Queen: Dark-haired woman, strong, helpful

• Jack: Reliable friend

• 10: Fortune, abundance

• 9: New romance

• 8: Opposition, danger of recklessness

• 7: Prosperity, potential romantic interference

• 6: Business success

• 5: Help from a friend/partner

• 4: Bad change of fortune

• 3: Good partnership

• 2: Disappointment and opposition

Diamonds

• Ace: Money, a ring

• King: Fair-haired man, stubborn

• Queen: Fair-haired woman, flirty, witty

• Jack: A relative, unreliable

• 10: Journey, wealth

• 9: Financial opportunity, surprises

• 8: Declarations of love

• 7: A gift

• 6: Reconciliation

• 5: Successful meeting

• 4: Change for the better, an inheritance

• 3: Domestic/legal battles

• 2: Important love affair

Spades

• Ace: Conflict, infidelity, stress

• King: Dark-haired man, successful, ambitious

• Queen: Dark-haired woman, seductive

• Jack: Dark-haired youth, well meaning

• 10: Grief, despair, imprisonment

• 9: Bad luck, delays, quarrels

• 8: Disappointment

• 7: Possible loss of friendship

• 6: Improvements

• 5: Anxiety, setbacks, interference

• 4: Jealousy, business troubles

• 3: Bitter parting

• 2: Scandal, gossip, deceit

Note: You may choose to include the joker to represent folly, new beginnings, the Universe and to also signify the person receiving the reading.

Bonus: Using Playing Cards to Detect Baneful Magick

This technique relies on reading either red or black cards and nothing else. It can technically be used to answer any yes/no question.

Shuffle the deck and ask, "have I been hexed or cursed?" -while you are shuffling. When ready, stop shuffling and deal out five cards in a row, face down. Then one by one, left to right, turn them over. Black indicates a 'no' response, while red indicates 'yes'. You can see the degree of the curse by the presence of red cards. All black is a clear 'no' and all red is a clear 'yes'. The spread can be read as follows:

5 Black - 0 Red: No curse or negative energy present

4 Black - 1 Red: Blip of dark energy, natural defenses can ward it off

3 Black - 2 Red: Dark energy present, possible jinx

2 Black - 3 Red: Sufficient dark energy, possible hex, cleanse immediately

1 Black - 4 Red: Significant harmful magick present, likely hex or curse. Do a purification/protection ritual

0 Black - 5 Red: Curse confirmed, take serious action to uncross/cleanse/protect. Someone has intentionally tried to harm you with magick.

When I first started working with deities, I felt drawn to them. And I think that’s how most people choose their deities. But my favorite things is how they change us.

Before Lady Athena, I was quiet in class, sat in corners, and wouldn’t speak up for myself. Now, I raise my hand to answer questions, not afraid to be wrong, I prefer the front of classrooms, and boy do people wish I would keep my thoughts to myself. But it’s not just that. I grew drawn to pottery and sculpting. I enjoy strategy and I’m good at it. Specifically battle. (Thanks Fire Emblem Three Houses) I absolutely adore owls now and it brings me great joy to see them. Heck- I want to learn to use a spear.

Prior to Lord Hermes, I was mortified to drive, not much of a gambler, and hated running. Now, I want a sports car, drive whenever I can, love my scratch off tickets, and training myself to be able to run. However, I feel more love for my penpals and each letter I get makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. I look forward to road trips and want nothing else than to fly. And above all- I want to learn all the languages I possibly can.

And Lady Artemis, she’s been around far longer than I thought she had been. But, there was always the childish fear of large animals and bugs that kept me inside often, I was not confident, and my interest in the wildness was close to nothing. Now I’m older. I appreciate all walks of life, animal and human. (Expect spiders and wasp- fuck them.) I feel safe in the woods and walk barefoot through clearings in them. I talk to the moon. I know who I am. And my gosh, the amount of money I spend on arrows.

And I feel them. When I’m trying not to cry as I mold clay, I feel a comforting hand on my shoulder and I know Athena is proud. As I laugh with the window down, music blaring, I know Hermes is in the passenger seat laughing with me. As I let my arrow fly, Artemis is doing the same right next to me. And I love them. And I think they love me back.

Everyone’s practice is different and that is so beautiful to me. We all love our gods one way or another and that’s what brings us together. And that’s enough for me. Knowing I’m not alone, even though most of us are solitary.