aidenthevvitch

[aidenthevvitch]

UPG

Unverified Personal Gnosis. What is it? Why do we use it? Do we rely on it too much? Well, there are many answers to that, so here are my thoughts on it.

UPG comes from our experiences with the occult and with the Divine. It is personal correspondences, understandings, and everything between and beyond.

We use UPG to inform our practice. Every little tweak you make is UPG. In fact, I would argue all of the occult started as UPG, so it is foolish to discount another’s UPG. Yes, there are points where UPG is questionable, but most of the time UPG can be counted on for information. The occult is very personal journey for everyone, and it is what we make of it that matters. 

Do we rely on it too much? Well, that really depends on the person. They could become overly reliant on UPG to the point that any critique feels like an attack on their character. UPG should always be open to critique, although many people do not know how to critique these days. Criticism should never attack the person, rather it should look into the flaws in thinking and logical fallacies. 

All in all, UPG is a useful tool when used properly, and can easily aid one’s practice, should one not become obsessive and attached to it

#witchcraft #occult #upg #gnosis #wicca #occultism #magick #unverified personal gnosis #critique #occult theory #sabbatic witchcraft #tradcraft #angels #demons

[aidenthevvitch]

Simple & Quick Magick

This post is just a small post I wanted to make in order to share some things that I do on a whim. These examples can range from daily to solely for a special case or occasion.  - for luck: a coin in the shoe, a bay leaf in my wallet, an acorn in my pocket, or simply just keeping green or greenery on me. - for job interviews and dates: glamour incantation while washing my face. something to the extent of “you want me” three times over. - for self-confidence: the same thing as prior but think of yourself and focus on your reflection (do not mistake vanity for self-confidence or care) - for protection: salt packets, jewelry of course, and I attribute my morning coffee to protection, but as you all know you can “stir your intent” as you please. - for hexing: wild berries and dead insects or rodents are my go to on this one. something you can find relatively easy in my parts.as well as rusty nails or railroad spikes. - for nearly anything and everything: a sigil.

#good luck #witch tips #intention #hex #curse #magick #sigil

[aidenthevvitch]

Updated my math 👼 😇 

BE NOT AFRAID! IT IS ONLY THE ARCHANGLES!

[aidenthevvitch]

BE NOT AFRAID! IT IS ONLY THE ARCHANGLES!

#angel #angle #angel meme #witch memes #math #mathjokes #occult #occultism #gematria

[aidenthevvitch]

We’re reading Oposcula Magica Vol. 1!

Join us!

#occult #sabbatic craft #tradcraft #witchcraft #witch #oposcula magica #andrew d. chumbley #magick #discord #witchblr

[aidenthevvitch]

Spirit Contact - Meditation

I think this practice is foundational of anyone who believes in a sort of spirit or entities tied to another realm. This, of course, has evolved over the years, as most things do, and now when witches talk about doing “spirit work” they are rarely talking about working with the dead, damned, or demons. If you are like me and came into witchcraft from a more folkloric setting, this may strike you as rather odd. After all, what is a witch without their spirits, imps, demons, and familiars? This word - spirit - has now turned into a catch all between working with your HGA to Necromancy to intentionally trying to communicate with folkloric creatures and spirits such as the fair folk or elementals. Of course, this little excerpt is just touching on language that I’ve seen changed, or at least redefined from what I understood it as, by the witch community. A spirit is ultimately a non corporeal being. But, how do we, as witches, connect with them? Work with them? Are we to build relationships and respect them or use them as tools at our disposal. As per usual, in witchcraft, it really is up to you. But lets say you are a novice who has no knowledge of spirits or making spirit contact. The first thing people will push you to do is research, however I think this is way too general a statement for this task. If people are still telling you “just research,” without any further explanation of what that means, topics to research, or an area of focus in a topic to research, they aren’t really helping you at all. Nor do they want to. And that’s okay. There is some independent decisions that need to be made before getting into spirit work. Ancestral veneration is often seen as a great way to start spirit work and I agree. If you are trying to “make contact”, however, please keep in mind it is a bad idea to call upon family members or spirits who you lost traumatically or you still have emotional baggage with.  To start up a relationship with your ancestors - or the general dead for those witches who prefer - you ought to start praying or offering at a shrine or altar. This can be anything as a single photo and candle to a whole ornate set up full of tools for cleansing, protection, and divination. There are many, many different ways to do this. If you are having trouble working with your altar, I have made a post about this as well.  Once you start getting comfortable with having their energies around, being able to hone in on what is coming through, you will be ready for meditation. Note that this is advice for someone who has never even thought about contacting a spirit. Setting up the altar or shrine and introducing the energies to the home is a slow, steady process not all witches may have to take. If you view yourself as comfortable with spirits and ready to work with them, just follow these next few steps for first contact in meditation; When it comes to spirit work, you should always be protected and cleanse yourself afterward. I find it slightly counterintuitive to cleanse a space before I attempt to contact a spirit. Why would I drive out those things which I’m trying to contact? There is an argument for driving out solely negative entities, which is great in theory, but has never worked for me in practice unless I am connecting to Divinity. For simple protection during spirit work, you could cast a circle or physically put one down (with salt, flour, rice. Consider how it would react to your working space.) And for simple cleansing, using sound, vocal incantations, smoke, or prayer is all quite common. I’m a fan of physical circles in my practice, but I know it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. So, all this prep is great and all, but when are we going to start hearing voices in our head? Right about now. This is not possession but rather channeling. You are simply being a conduit for the spirit to speak through. You are not losing will or ability, but simply connecting to the spirit. There are ritual forms of doing this which enable the spirit to lean more toward a possessive nature, but these are rituals you should be well-studied for and comfortable with simple contact first.  The Meditation Simply sit down and get comfortable in a space where you are okay with bringing these energies about. Make your breath steady and low. Once you feel you are completely calm, call out unto the world. We are all familiar with the “are there any spirits here?” from Ouija, but this is a bit different. To show you what I mean. here is a loose incantation of what I do: “Wandering Spirits, restless or cold, come forth to my circle for secrets be told. By fortune’s luck, and witch’s reign, I raise the dead to this Earthly plain.” This is a bit more welcoming of a variety of spirits, and the beginner may want to vocalize the type of spirit or attitude of spirit desired. Keep in mind, however, not all spirits are honest. I recommend taking a divination tool such as tarot or coin to assist in determining whether or not a spirit is being truthful. And, as always, use your own discretion and intuition. I hope this is able to help somebody if anybody!

#ouija #ancestors #mightydead #occult #occultism #circle #circle casting #meditation #spirit #spirit contact

[aidenthevvitch]

Prayer to Sol

O’ Sol  In this morning, I face East Bless me with your grace.  Sun, ever shining, great life giving lover. Who rides on golden chariot And take command of your fiery steeds Each day, even after your blood has been lost to the cosmos evermore. By the names of The Rising One,  The Invincible Sun, The Unconquerable Sun! Fill me with your loving grace and light! Air fills my lungs and fire my heart! Sun, O Sol, Behold me at night’s early part! Consume my flesh and  tear me apart!

#occult #rebirth #helios #sun-souled #paganism #witch #witchcraft

[aidenthevvitch]

Altars are extremely useful tools, and you can have as many as you want. Be sure that you are keeping up with them though, because it can easily become cluttered and nasty. I currently live in a dorm, so keeping altars looks a bit different from what one may expect. However, my altars are always growing and evolving, this growth improves them usually. I listen to what the spirits I work with want, and act accordingly. What Santa Muerte wants is not the same as what Eros wants. No two witches altars should looks the same, because everyone’s altar should be unique to their needs. When we start out, it may be easy to fall into the trap of aesthetics over functions, but at the end of the day, we should strive for practicality over pretty aesthetic. What are y’alls thoughts on this? Feel free to share!

Interacting with the Altar

I have seen a lot of people’s altars through my decade of witchcraft, but one thing I notice is this tendency to put every single witchy thing you have on one tabletop, which may be for you, but personally, is not for me. I find this clutter can really take away from what the actual purpose of an altar is. If you are looking to re-do your altar or setting a new one up, here are of few of my own personal takes through the years: The first question I ask for anything in my spirituality is “What purpose does this serve?” and then “How does this serve me as a witch?” Altars can be define as a place to work or craft spells in witchcraft, pray or make offering if you are religious or work with deities, and a place of honor during ritual. This, of course, is my own definition. There are also shrines for those that we wish to honor but we don’t necessarily work with in our craft. Shrines are something I am not too familiar with and do not want to speak on the topic to spread misinformation. So how do you interact with your altar? Does it need to be daily? Weekly? Holidays and funerals? Honestly, it’s up to you. I consider myself devout to my god and pray every morning and night and exchange my offerings weekly. On quarters I reset and wipe down everything, as well as sometimes on cross quarters. I have a separate space for spell crafting but, in some ways, I view my entire room as my altar sometimes. Of course, not everyone is like me! So here are some “takes” on what I commonly see in altars: - clutter : I can’t operate like this, and I don’t see how anyone could. I don’t use crystals in my practice, but I see often a ton of crystals just sprawled across an altar with no rhyme or reason, and often with varied correspondences. If you use your altar to keep tools of your craft or your materials for spells, I would minimize this. I only keep ritual tools on my altar as far as things that I “need” for my craft.  - offerings : Please keep up with your offerings if you make them. This is not only to interact with your altar and get you into a spiritual mindset but is also hygienic. No one should have mold or flies or any foul sight or smell unintentionally coming from the altar, especially the offering plate or cup. Water is often used as an offering and stagnant water will eventually either mold or attract life. I use coffee, myself. Things like high proof alcohol, tobacco, dried herbs and flowers, or coins though, are to your discretion to refresh. - prayer or petition : You do not have to dedicate your altar to any god or goddess, spirit or group of spirits. Many people will have altars to either purely work on/with, ancestral altars, or altars of worship. So, if you are not religious, you can always create a petition and will your want in to the universe that way. I enjoy petition/prayer boxes. Just a small box for you to put written prayers or petitions into. This can be done with something like a box of tissue or piggy bank, but you can always go box shopping if there is a certain theme or aesthetic of your altar you do not want to ruin. - placement : Have you considered where you are placing your altar or what direction it is facing? If you work with Sun gods, maybe you should see what its like to work either near a window or with your altar facing east. If you work with a god or goddess that rules over or has a relation to death, perhaps the West. Not just directional placement, either. What is the space like where your altar is? I recently moved my altar into my closet, actually, and I prefer it much more because it gives me a very private and small space to connect with my Lord. This, of course, won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. But I like it! - altars for the novice magician and unwelcomed witch: Shoebox altars and travel altars make great small altars for you to work with. If you are unable to physically have an altar, draw one or create one in an app like #SelfCare. Witch of Wonderlust has a video on this if you care to view. The altar I have today is definitely not the altar I had ten years ago. The way I look at my altar, understand my altar, and work with my altar has changed completely since I first started. If you are looking to work with your altar more, examine your craft and see if there is a portion you could move to a set space like an altar. Hope this helps anyone struggling to create a spiritual space in your home. If you need tutorials on how to set up simple altars I recommend Yeyeo Botanica on YouTube, but there are plenty of tutorials out there.

#witch altar #occult #dorm altar #santa muerte #eros #witch #witchcraft #wicca #wiccan #thelema #sabbatic craft #sabbatic witchcraft #tradcraft #trad craft #dorm witch #dormdecor

[aidenthevvitch]

Here are my thoughts on the so-called “Post-Thelemic Manifesto”

#thelema #post-thelema #babalon #witchcraft #occult #occultism #space #aeon of horus #aeon of ma'at #marco visconti #youtube #youtuber #wicca #wiccan #witch #aleister crowley #crowley #revolution #manifesto #reaction #thoughts #thoughts and ramblings #thoughts and feelings

[aidenthevvitch]

Thoughts on “Post-Thelema”

If you were unaware, Marco Visconti, prominent figure in the Thelemic community, has released his self-titled “Post-Thelema Manifesto”. Whatever that means. Here is a copy of the message, provided on Twitter.

There is a small discussion surrounding this, but I wanted to get the takes of witches and Thelemites here on Tumblr. Crowley is a controversial figure that many have avoided Thelema because of. I think trying to introduce a philosophy that disconnects Thelema from one of it’s primary prophets is a fool’s gambit and this will never succeed.  Note: I’m not a Thelemite myself, but have been surrounded by Thelemites and have explored the philosophy of Thelema

#post-thelema #babalon #marco visconti #93 #93 93/93 #do what thou wilt #baphomet #nuit #choas #pan #hadit #aeon of horus #aeon of ma'at #da'at #daat #love is the law #love under will

[aidenthevvitch]

An important lesson in witchcraft

An important lesson I learned in my years of practice is that you don’t need fancy tools, exotic herbs, or complex rituals to have effective magick. You yourself are all that is required. Magick can be messy external work, or elegant internal work, and every shade in between and outwards. Magick is a wonder that cannot be contained in any jar, magick is found in life itself. All of these materials can surely aid in your magical practice, however none of it is necessary. When you realize that you yourself are the Great Work incarnate, then you can truly begin your path. 

#witchcraft #great work #occult #witch tips #magick #wicca #thelema #trad craft #magic #occult lesson

[aidenthevvitch]

Say hi to the Abyss for me!

knock knock

[aidenthevvitch]

You sound like an owl. What are you, Hekate?

knock knock

[aidenthevvitch]

Who’s there?

knock knock

[aidenthevvitch]

Imagery in Tarot

Tarot is a tool I think most witches have in their arsenal. I’ve never been the type to constantly cross reference a book or like to look up the meaning of tarot, but this seems to be the typical way people “learn”. By memorizing a prescribed meaning to a card, and understanding the card for its intended purpose. I know there is flexibility in most card meanings, but when you are first beginning it is hard to understand that if you are referencing your definition book constantly. I enjoy using a very well developed tool I have from a lifetime of looking into different arts and being taught symbolism in literature and art classes. I use the tool of just that - recognizing symbolism. The cups, staves, pentacles, and swords all them self carry a theme. Colors such as yellow and blue can symbolize a theme of happiness and calmness or sorrow, respectively, in a single card. I know this is a basic way of thinking, but I would like you to at least once examine your spread as if you are examining several art pieces. This won’t work on minimal decks such as the Kawaii tarot, but is great for decks like Rider-Waite and Thoth. Tarot is so much more than a deck of cards with set definitions. Divination truly sees its golden oracles from a combination of intuition and recognition of what the Divine needs to tell you. Look at your cards, note what comes first, and follow a journey the cards lay before you.

#occult #divination #tarot cards #magick #witchcraft #witch #color symbolism #occult symbols #occult symbolism #kawaii tarot

[aidenthevvitch]

New video on Imbolc practices!

#imbolc #imbolc sabbat #sabbat #wiccan #wiccan sabbat #occult #youtube #youtuber #witchtube #witchblr

[aidenthevvitch]

Hello! And welcome to Serpens Nox Obscurum! This server is a place for any occultist, witch, or magickal practitioner who finds them self drawn here. We are aiming to build a wonderful community with a focus on chthonic practices and figures (namely Lucifer and Hekate). Do not worry if this does not include you, you are still fully welcome here to discuss and exchange any ideas, experiments, experiences, or thoughts you have. We highly encourage you to share these, but it is not necessary to do so! Other than that, this is a place designed for people to call home.

#lucifer #hekate #trad craft #occultism #discord #hecate #witchcord