44 Days of Witchery: Day 4

Picture of nature (water element)
 

44 Days of Witchery: Day 3

Witchy tools: athame.


An athame is a ceremonial dagger with a double-edged blade and (usually) a black handle. It is normally used by Wiccans, though other witchcraft traditions outside that religion may use one.


It represents one of the four elemental tools in Wicca (in this case, fire). This tools' primary use is energy work. It is not used for cutting (there is another knife for that use). This tool also aids in the creating of a magic circle. Another one of its uses is to invoke the guardians of the four directions. The athame, being a phallic symbol, is also used to represent the masculine in fertility ceremonies.

44 Days of Witchery: Day 2

Sorry I didn't post yesterday. I'll try not to let it happen again!

A Myth or Story from Folklore

Oisín was a mortal in Ireland who was visited by a fairy woman named Níamh Chinn Óir (Niamh of the Golden Hair), who was the daughter of Manannán Mac Lir (Celtic God of the Sea). She announces that she loves him and he is taken to Tir Na nÓg to live with her.

This marriage produced two children, Oscar and Plor na mBan. After what seems like three years to Oisín, he tells Níamh Chinn Óir that he misses his friends and family in the mortal realm. In reality, it has been 300 years. Níamh Chinn Óir provies him with her horse, Embarr, and gives him a warning. If his feet touch mortal soil, the time he missed will catch up. He would age 300 years, and become old and withered.

Oisín returns to his home to find it abandoned and in disrepair. Later, while trying to help some men who were building a raod, the girth on the saddle broke and he fell to the ground. The horse returned to Tir Na nÓg without the ancient man, and he died of old age some time afterward.

44 Days of Witchery: Day One

"What’s your witchy background?"


As discussed in a previous post, I was raised in a Catholic family. I realized that it was not for me by the time I was in High School. But I had to keep that to myself. My family would not approve.

I remember being at a bookstore, and my cousin found a book on Witchcraft. After telling her mother (my father's sister) that she wanted to buy it, she was admonished for it. My cousin was told that simply reading the book was a path to destruction.

However, books like the Odyssey were not dangerous like the book on witchcraft. Not only was my reading of mythology encouraged, I was given antique books on the subject. It was (and still is) difficult to read the antique books, because they aren't meant to be read. They're meant to be listened to.

I always felt like I had special abilities. When I was around six or seven, I slept in an upstairs room. I woke up in the middle of the night and heard a tornado in the distance. But I didn't feel threatened (though I should have been terrified). Instead, I went back to sleep. Somehow, I knew it was going to pass our farm without incident.

After I left home, and moved to California, I stopped being a practicing Catholic. As far as the majority of my family is concerned, I just don't attend Mass. It wasn't long after that I began studying Witchcraft, and alternative religions, voraciously.

Now I am firmly on the path I was meant for. It has no name, and it does not follow anyone elses path. Some of my beliefs come from existing religions, or extinct ones. Some come from fictional books, but the idea presented in the story made sense to me. My beliefs grow and change as I continue to learn, and as such can't be labeled. At least not for long.

44 Days of Witchery

I was reading blogs that I subscribe to via RSS, and I saw a post that sounded like a fun idea. It's called 44 Days of Witchery. Starting today, I will also be filling out this poll. Honestly, it sounds like fun, and gives me something to talk about every day.

Here is the complete list of days.

1. What’s your witchy background?
2. A myth or story from folklore.
3. Witchy tools: athame.
4. Picture of nature (water element).
5. A favorite Goddess.
6. A favorite God.
7. Air element.
8. A photo of a magical place outdoors.
9. A favorite mythological animal.
10. Your sun sign.
11. Witchy tools: oils.
12. Picture of nature (air element).
13. What are some of the witchy books that influenced you?
14. A favorite pagan holiday that you celebrate.
15. Thoughts on the afterlife?
16. Favorite witchy website(s).
17. Picture of nature (fire element).
18. Have you had any paranormal experiences?
19. Fire element.
20. A picture of a tarot or oracle card, and its meaning.
21. A favorite scent.
22. Current moon phase.
23. A favorite candle.
24. Your moon sign.
25. How do your close ones feel about your witchy path? Do they know? Why or why not?
26. A witchy podcast.
27. Picture of nature (earth element).
28. A picture of a witchy I-Want-It-Now!
29. Water element.
30. Witchy tools: wand.
31. A favorite pagan/witchy movie.
32. A pagan/witchy artwork.
33. Faerie of your choice.
34. Rune of your choice.
35. Something that I think people who don’t know much about paganism/witchcraft should know.
36. Flower of your choice, and its magical properties.
37. A famous pagan/witch!
38. Witchy tools: cauldron.
39. Something that inspires you.
40. Your altar, if you have one!
41. A spell you’ve done.
42. A favorite nature spirit.
43. A magical recipe.
44. Witch’s choice!