Tip: Don’t Hex the moon

You know when you’re watching a horror movie, and the main character goes ‘Yeah I know what will be super fun- let’s get that Ouija Board and see what happens’, and everyone collectively sighs?

I feel like that right. Now.

For those of you who haven’t heard this news, a few days ago, there was a thread on Twitter on some baby witches who had hexed the moon and the fae,

They hexed the moon. And the fae.

This is weird actually, as I felt that something was off on Sunday morning when I was doing a reading for someone, but didn’t find out about this nightmare until last night.

Hexing the Moon

Even if you hate it, maybe it’s too big or silvery or whatever, the moon is such a vital part to witchcraft and also the pagan faith, that to piss it off probably isn’t a good idea. The Twitter thread mentions that the deities associated with the moon are pissed off, but even if you don’t believe in that, sending negative energies into something that provides so much positive energy isn’t going to end well. If you do believe in deities, the moon deity is connected to the sun deity, so well done, you’ve also involved the sun.

What really made me laugh is ‘they’re planning to hex the sun’. What are they, Mr Burns?

Hexing the Fae

There is a great blog post about the fae that’ll give you a bit of background here. I’m not going to sit here and explain the fae because honestly I don’t know enough about them! But they are powerful beings that aren’t to be messed with. Now – imagine hexing them. That could mean especially bad things for the people hexing them, and could even mean that their lines are cursed.

Even the most experienced witches don’t mess with this, let alone witches that are just beginning! There is a later tweet that explains that at least one of them was not a beginner but WHO THE HELL JUST DECIDES TO HEX THE FAE FOR FUN?!??!?!?!??!

It is important to note that the Fae are typically considered mischievous and tricky, and should not be interacted with unless one knows exactly what one is up against… With the Fae, there are no gifts–every transaction is an exchange, and it’s never one-sided.

https://www.learnreligions.com/lore-about-fae-at-beltane-2561643

Why they’d do this is completely beyond me – please someone enlighten me if they know, because….I’m stunned.

So – what can we learn from this experience?

For goodness sake, do not mess with this stuff

So now we’ve established that this has been a terrible idea, lets look at….

My thoughts on this

When you begin, you sort of focus on learning. If you were learning to weld metal, you wouldn’t just turn on a blowtorch without knowing what a blowtorch. Why should this be any different than witchcraft? If you have doubts about what you’re doing, don’t do it.

Those of you who have been following this blog will know that I don’t believe in hexing or cursing. This isn’t because I don’t think it’s real (I really do think it’s real), but I believe that it is wrong to do.

I don’t agree with people who hex anyone, so imagine how I feel about people hexing the moon.

So in conclusion, why? Don’t do this. Please.

Lets Get Personal: Where the hell have I been?

Hi guys! Long time no write, and with good reason, I promise.

There are a few reasons why I took a break:

Reason 1: Mental Health

Now, I don’t know where you’re reading this from, but I live in the UK. In the UK, we have been pretty much in lock-down since March – it is now July.

Many of my mental health coping mechanisms relied on doing things outside my house: for example, I used to go to the gym, to pole dancing classes, and spend hours with a hot chocolate in the library with a big ol’ dusty tome on occult studies (living the dream). Now I don’t have any of that, and this coupled with the fact that I haven’t really seen anyone properly since March…my MH has really taken a beating. This has led to me hibernating, binge eating, restrictive eating, excessive video game playing and just doing everything I can to escape the reality of the world we live in.

This was exacerbated by the other terrible events which have occurred since the lock-down started, and to be honest, I could have done more and been more vocal, but that would have been at the expense of my mental health. Instead, I have been quietly learning and donating to causes, which lets me keep a safe distance so as not to really hurt myself whilst still helping.

Reason 2: Music

After my mental health was back on the up again, I set some targets for me to hit, writing-wise. However, it seemed like every time I sat down to write, something else would crop up for me to devote my time to.

One of these things was recording for a cameo appearance I am making on a single that is coming out real soon- watch this space!

I think that music is really magical and so this was important to reconnect with my own soul, which, at the time, my blogging didn’t really feel like it was doing.

Reason 3: Livestreaming

Call me a boomer but I don’t really know what Twitch is. That is all about to change this Sunday night when I am beginning to co-host a weekly livestream with my buddy where we talk about conspiracy theories and other cool stuff.

Pic related: us at work. It’s like Scooby Doo but with less haunted amusement parks and more neckbeards.

He says he got me in because of my knowledge on ‘weird stuff’ but actually I think it’s because of my sharp wit and sweet style.

This livestream is going to be recorded and uploaded to YouTube for anyone who is interested but can’t tune in on Sunday night for whatever reason. More details will follow when I know the specifics.

Reason 4: Following my actual dream

I feel lucky to be at a point in my life where I can follow my childhood dream of becoming a writer, with no pressure and just the freedom to enjoy.

As some of you may know, I am currently working on my poetry anthology which will be a sort of ‘reference book’ to the tarot cards, with each card having a corresponding poem or verse. I’m intending the first drafts to be completed at around the end of August, and it to be published at the end of the year (touch wood).

In an attempt to avoid working on what I should have been working on (the anthology), I have also started another writing project. It’s extremely early days at the moment but it’ll be a reworking of some of the lesser known Greek myths into modern culture.

I feel like I have an advantage, because really, I’m not in it for the money! I’m in it to spread joy and to help people understand, whether that be ‘what the Seven of Cups means’ or ‘what about Medusa’s sisters’. I will be self publishing and selling these books, but I don’t intend to charge more than totally necessary to break even on the costs.

If just one person enjoys my work and it brings them happiness, then I have succeeded.

Reason 5: Other little things

Other little things I’ve been up to include:

• Working on my languages for spell forming

• Working on magickal recipes (see below)

• Working with different brands to see if we have a common goal in our work

• Binge watching Disney Plus and crying at the Lion King

Conclusion/TLDR

I went on a break for a la’l bit and now I’m back, but I may upload with less frequency as apparently I have a lot going on at the moment! I’d rather upload less but better quality content than more poor content just for the sake of being regular.

I hope/know everyone will understand- diolch for all your continuing support! I love you guys ❤

Morticia? Elphaba? 10 examples that will change your views of the ‘witch’

Today I’m going to talk about something that is really important to me, and probably countless other witchcraft practitioners: aesthetics. 

I have no shame in admitting that I am a Millenial™ and was brought up between the 90s scrunchie-wearing-size 0 culture and the selfie culture we live in today. Even though I’m an adult, I think we are all affected by what we see in the media.  

So, what’s my point here? 

Look at these popular modern depictions of witches: 

Morticia Addams, The Addams Family, 1991

Misty Day, American Horror Story, 2013

Marie Laveau, American Horror Story, 2013

Model: Dayana Crunk

With this surge in popularity of young women (and men) turning to witchcraft, it’s easy to see why many witches feel pressured to look or commit to a certain aesthetic and interests that ‘correspond’ with these aesthetics: Morticia, Misty (or Stevie, whichever floats your boat), Marie Laveau hoodoo queen, or Dayana Killstar nu goth witch.

I’m not saying that any of these aesthetics aren’t valid (I personally love all of them and model myself after two of them).

But if you don’t look like this, are you qualified to call yourself a witch? Are you qualified if you just practise a little bit in your spare time, or do we all have to be hunched over grimoires in candlelight in our Instagram-perfect gothic houses?

Of course you are qualified. 

The aesthetic and interests you have, and who you are, do not have an impact on your value as a witch.  

Witchcraft can be as much a part of your life as you want it to be.

To illustrate this, I’ve collected together some folks, all of whom are different, and all of whom are extremely valid witches. I have also included their Instagram handles if I know them! Do you see yourself in any of these people? If so- great! If not- great! I rest my case and hand you over to…

1. Way_of_the_witch

‘I am an eclectic witch and for the past seven years I have been working on my craft.

I am not a multigenerational witch. I am the first in my family to work in witchcraft, and over the years I’ve been able to gather witches from all over my area and of all different paths and bring us together. I am a hot mess with my three rescue cats and roommate (who is also a witch).

My interest is mostly in the work itself, connecting different items and elements to alter the flow of energies and bend it to what I ask. Being eclectic I work a lot with different mediums. Finding a home in Tarot, candle work, and spell creation.’

2. Skye

‘I’m Skye, from the UK. I have been a practising pagan witch for just short of a decade. My interests pertain to the ocean, nature, art, poetry and music. I consider myself a sea witch and I work with the oceanic realm. The sea has always captured my heart, and soul. And it has always been a place of solace and strength for me. Being a witch to me, means being your authentic self, living your truth and standing in your power. After all, the greatest magic takes place within ourselves.’ 

3. xdumpsterxkandix1992

‘My aesthetic *nowadays* is what I would call “evil school girl” or a mix of 70s punk, 80s goth, and just a huge 90S/Y2K mess! It really depends on my mood, but lately its leaning more towards my goth look in middle and high school. I definitely believe self-expression is a HUGE part of witchcraft and just me in general. Whatever I’m feeling I need help with that day is what I express throughout the day and in my practice, as I tailor it to my needs and make it as specific as possible. My interests outside of it are dancing (modern, bellydancing and hoopdancing), theater/costuming, sewing, art, poetry, music (both listening to and playing), nature, natural medicine, essential oils and herbs, astrology (which all play a part in my craft) cooking/baking, so many things.’

4. Oldsoulnewlife

‘I was raised Wiccan, but dabbled and studied one or two other religions before studying paganism as a whole. I discovered my ancestors were Viking and Celtic and decided to try the more ancient path, while merging it with a little new age belief. So I’m classified under a heathen pagan witch but I just do magick when I’m called. Magick is a big part of my daily routine and helps with manic depression, ptsd and fibromyalgia. I incorporate it into everything from my coffee to my shower to setting an intention on my work break. Witchcraft and magick saved me, my health and my life.’ 

5. Jorge (@thescribian)

‘Witchcraft found me before I even knew what it was. It’s not what defines me, but it plays such a beautiful role in almost everything that I do. I love to entertain people with writing and acting – I’ll work with candles to infuse creativity and passion into those things. I love helping people through my career in education – I’ll invent rituals for good fortune, or even clear communication! And when I’m not chasing the forty million ambitions I can muster in a moment, I like to take some time to study witchcraft and connect with other practitioners, which reminds me I’m a part of something so much greater than myself.’

6. Alpha.feminine

‘I’m in school for social work but my ideal goal is to be a psychedelic therapist so I can merge the spiritual and apply therapeutic techniques. I’m interested in astrology (still learning!) but that was a huge explanation for how I naturally went about my craft. I use fire, incantations and draw sigils! Drawing itself is an act of meditation and manifesting for me.’

7. Kit (chronic.enby)

‘Hi I’m Kit, I’m 28 and I’m nonbinary. I started practicing witchcraft at about 8 years old when I found out I had witch/pagan ancestors. I work a lot with candle magick since fire has always called to me. I’m also an artist! I like to incorporate my art into candle making/carving: it makes my practice more personal.’

8. Seren

‘My witch-name is Seren, I’m Welsh, and I’m a kitchen witch, 27. 

I primarily do kitchen witchcraft and hearth witchcraft, which means I work primarily with food – something I’m very happy about! – and I consider myself secular, despite also being a Hellenic polytheist – I don’t believe that my deities are inherently linked to my witchcraft. I do a lot of baking and cooking, which my housemates are very pleased about. 

My aesthetic is anything pink, pastel and cute – I like vintage, flowery, but also creepy-cute and pastel-goth. I appreciate the duality of the aesthetic. I wear a lot of 60s and 70s style dresses, and if it doesn’t come in pink, I don’t buy it!’ 

9. Witchedfelis

Indianwiccan.wordpress.com

‘Hi, My name is Puneet (Witched Felis : magickal name) and I am a natural Witch from India. I am an author and I have recently published a book on true paranormal encounters.
I am a Wiccan , Psychic and Clairvoyant. I also write a Blog where I express my views on witchcraft. Witchcraft for me is a way of living, An ancient way of living being aware of our body, mind, consciousness and the parallel dimensions. To be a Witch is to be leader of self, to be a healer and to be a guiding light for self and all those who come to you seeking help. I was born as a Witch and Since I live in India, Which is considered as a Land of Magick ,my Journey as a witch was smooth. I believe, there is a Wise Witch in all of us, but we just don’t choose to become aware of it. It’s a a beautiful path, and We create our own Path in this, We don’t follow a single religious book but write our Own book of Shadows- isn’t it interesting? We follow our Instincts and Strongly believe in what we are and Be proud of it. There are many subjects in Witchcraft and depending on our interest we choose to learn. I have been using tarot as a tool for learning philosophy , as a medium to read the fortunes, heal and understand the Underlying mindset.’

10. Angela, los angeles (@eastwest.sun)

‘Hello! I’m Angela from the suburbs of Los Angeles. I’m an outdoors girl at heart and on normal weekends, you can find me camped out in a van with my two dogs in the mountains or deserts of California. I have an incredibly bright and candy colored wardrobe. I know I don’t seem very witchy but my craft comes from the conjoining of two cultures. I practice elemental herbalism and healing, and I always try to honor my magickal roots — from California to Taiwan.’

I think my point here is proved, However, this is only the tip of the iceberg of the diversity of this practice, and I think that’s what makes it the most magical and powerful.

Thank you to all my interviewees! If you have something you’d like to share about your personal journey or craft, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below this – or just message me! My inbox is always open, especially to new friends ❤