Alexey Torgunakov - photo by Marat Mukhonkin

*panicked voice*the fags are fucking the lesbians!

D’Angelo Rodriguez by Que Duong

honestly at this point they should just euthanize me

Sam Spade. July 4th, 2022

Human Specimens - Michael Mapes

when will leftists realize that survivors of extremely violent and repressive communist regimes speaking about their experiences is not propaganda <3

tomorrow the russian government is gonna add a few new laws in the criminal code:

1) if you’re posting a fake (fake is literally anything that doesn’t say the offical state information) - it’s a crime = you can go to jail

2) if you’re vocally against the war - it’s a crime = you can go to jail

3) if you’re saying the sanctions are good/are justified - it’s a crime = you can go to jail.

today, some of our opposition media sources were blocked for spreading information that was different from the official media.

today facebook and twitter were blocked in russia, god knows what will happen in the morning. maybe they’ll cut the internet for all I know.

please, spread the word. if some of your russian friends фку suddenly disappear from the social media - our government is doing everything for us to rely only on the lies they’re spreading.

I like art that depicts women not posing seductively or gracefully but simply existing as human beings.

Anatomy of a Circle-Casting

In many traditions, circles are used to delineate magical space, and provide a closed, but somewhat portable, working environment for the magical practitioner. Circles are "cast" through ritualistic action, by which a physical space is created, to suit the circle-casters' needs. These circles have multiple uses: To keep lesser curious spirits from coming in and mucking about the proceedings, to create a sense of practical ritual space where the circle is elevated from the mundane plane, to protect the magic-worker when they are at their most vulnerable, and, of course, to provide the appropriate ritual environment for certain workings or spells.

Circles can be as elaborate or as simple as you like, and are often adjusted to accomodate different levels of workings.

Most formal circles in most Western traditions, however, follow a similar rubric:

1. Setup and Cleansing.

The space is typically cleansed (but not yet consecrated), often with a besom or other sweeping tool, both literally and metaphysically. This is to prepare the space for the circle so you have a clean slate with which to start. Many practitioners find it of import to cleanse themselves before rituals, as well, either literally with a bath, or via smoke cleansing. For newcomers: Your altar goes inside the circle, often in the center unless instructed otherwise, and often facing a specific cardinal direction depending on your intentions or traditions.

2. Signal to Begin.

A bell is rung, or other statement proclaimed, to indicate the circle-casting is now begun.

3. Calling of the Spirits (including Calling the Quarters).

The beings, or spirits, with which you'll be working, are called upon to assist with the circle-casting. Some traditions require the beings to be invoked much later in the process.

"Calling the Quarters" here means calling (aka asking to arrive, or petitioning the help of by inviting them to the circle) the four elemental directions - North/Earth, East/Air, South/Fire, and West/Water. These elements are typically called clockwise.

Each tradition will, of course, have a set of different rules and regulations on how and who to call.

4. Drawing the Delineation.

Here, the actual circle-drawing begins. One uses a wand, or lights candles, or casts with their finger, or with their athame, etc, a literal circular boundary shape, frequently cast clockwise, to delineate the boundary of the circle. This is the physical boundary of the circle: One the circle is drawn, a wall is put up, and a door must be cut to invite other practitioners or spirits in. You can draw the circle quite literally, e.g. with a stick in sand, or visualize it using a wand; there's a ton of ways to go about it.

5. Consecration.

At this time, the circle is "blessed", or consecrated, to the practitioner's use. This essentially means dedicating or blessing the space to your deities, spirits, powers, purposes, or higher-ups (for the non-theist witches in the mix, this means blessing the space for work or giving it the old champagne-bottle-on-a-ship). This can be done, for instance, by sprinkling salt water to consecrate (NEVER outdoors; salt will kill your plants!), then follow-up with walking clockwise around the circle with incense to welcome the spirits. Again, each tradition and circle-per-purpose will vary on the actual consecration actions and what, exactly, you are consecrating to.

6. Signal to Begin the Work.

The bell is rung, or signal given, to begin the actual workings within the circle - whether it's a Full Moon Esbat or ritual, a spell, meditiation, or anything else. Offerings can be given at this juncture to spirits that have been called.

7. Thanks for the Work.

Once the work is complete, another signal can be rung; offerings and thanks can be given to the beings of the circle at this time. Meditation and writing in one's notebook or Book of Shadows is also appropriate.

8. Cakes and Wine.

Typically an entirely Wiccan tradition, this is where cakes and wine (literally - a food offering and a beverage offering) are shared with the deities/powers, and also eaten by practitioners. More practically, for non-Wiccans, this is the offering-and-feasting portion of the circle. ("Cakes and Wine" as a phrase originates within Wicca, so please replace with your verbiage of choice as applicable here).

9. Closing the Circle.

We close out the circle by politely dismissing the spirits, politely farewelling the Quarters, farewelling anything we've called, saying goodbye to the Powers, and, finally, physically closing our circle by un-drawing, counterclockwise (or, if you drew the circle counterclockwise, reverse to clockwise). If you used a wand to delineate, draw your circle back up into/through it. (Visualization can be very helpful here to new practitioners.)

10. Benediction.

The circle is cast, and closed - this is where you say Thank You and, if you like, thank and send well-wishes to the other actual, physical participants in the ritual. If you're going it solo, a neat little Thank-You, My Work Here Is Done wrap up speech is particularly nice here.

And there you have it - you'll find lots of traditions have circle castings that use some, or all, of these segments in order; hopefully you'll find this breakdown useful when piloting your own circles, as well!

Ash

Credit hacks...

Update

I've made some changes to my mini pocket alter

This is honestly the scariest Grindr profile I’ve ever seen…

fucking Virgos honestly

I see your thirsty torture bottom and I raise you

a glory whol wendigo

you’ll cum too. You’ll cum too. You’ll Cum Too. YOU’LL CUM TOO. YOU’LL CUM TOO. YOU’LL CUM TOO. 

IT GOT WORSE

STOP THIS

☠️

Using Music in Magic

(Or, why singing in magic is a cool thing.)

The following is an excerpt from my witching book. Please do not repost this text without acknowledging the source. Thank you!

Using music in magic can add another layer of intent to a ritual, spell, or general working. Adding music that the practitioner feels is appropriate can really raise the energy and work in the witch’s favor. This can be done by playing a recorded song, playing an instrument, singing, or whatever method you choose.

My belief is that by singing, you are embracing all five of the Elements: the earthen body, the water within, the fire of life, the air to produce sound, and the spirit in song. I find that this adds a personal bit to your magic and also helps to embrace the sacred, as well as really raising the energy to do work.

Considering that music is also the main art medium that I work with, I also view it as an offering of mine to the Divine: I’m giving my breath, my air, my voice, and a part of my very soul in the form of a song.

Music, especially in a rhythmic sense, has also been used to help shamans, medicine people, and cunning folk to raise their energy for their works for thousands of years. I feel that by connecting music making to my craft, I not only bring a very personal part of myself to it, but I am connecting with those who came before who did very similar things. In this way, I feel that the inclusion of making music in the craft ties us to the magic, to the tradition, and to each other.

Thanks for reading! If people are interested in hearing more about music and magic, let me know in the comments and reblogs and I’ll consider making a series of it! ✨

Music Witch