artemisian-dragon

[artemisian-dragon]

I am so HYPED for this temple! I have a feeling they're going to do some extraordinary things!

Seriously, give this temple a follow on all of their social media!

#pagan temple #pagan #witch #paganism #temple #totns #temple of the Nightshadow

[artemisian-dragon]

Offerings to Nyx

So to go along with the epithets post, here’s a list of offerings! It’s in the same vein as the epithets post, meaning there’s not a lot of historical evidence available, so it’s largely what I’ve come up with based on historical references, experience with other Gods, and just generally what feels appropriate. If anyone who actually regularly works with Nyx has any input (additions or corrections), please let me know!

Offerings to Nyx:

Black animal votives

Dew (particularly that which gathers after sunset)

Dark feathers

Starry/celestial images and items

Dark liquors/beers

Red Wine

Black Tea/Coffee

Symbols of Her children (torch, skull, scissors, etc.)

Black fabric/veil/cloak

Dark chocolate

Honey/molasses

Roses/Lilies/Poppies/Dark Flowers

Night-blooming flowers

Incense/Resin (watery, musky, earthy)

Viniq (that shimmery liqueur that looks like a galaxy in a bottle, because galaxy)

Dark berries (blueberries, blackberries, elderberries, etc.)

Sources:

http://www.theoi.com/Protogenos/Nyx.html

[artemisian-dragon]

Mother May I

Spend my years in your embrace.

Live a life filled with chase.

Build for women a sacred place.

Be the one to open gates.

For you are the spark of my desire.

And my feet go where you require.

Forever I will carry your fire.

It is true I cannot deny Her.

[artemisian-dragon]

APPALACHIAN FOLKLORE 101

Appalachia has a rich history in the united states, which goes farther back than most tend to give it credit for. The Appalachian mountains are millions of years old, and humans have only lived in the region for 16,000 years or so, which means the mountains are bound to hold some mysteries and legends.

Many of these stories, and folk practices originate from the Native Americans, specifically Cherokee, and are mixed in with the superstitions brought over from the old world specifically English, Irish, and Scottish. As well as the practices brought over from the African Continent During the Slave Trade. The Native population assisted the early settlers in Appalachia with ways to survive the area, grow food, and even forage for one of Appalachia's staple foods, RAMPS!!!

Let's delve into the history of Appalachian Folklore and the origins of everyone's favorite stories.

Cryptids and Myths

This is one of the most famous aspects of Appalachian folklore and one which outsiders know the most about, Appalachian Myths and their Cryptids that follow. Below I will go over a few of the more famous ones, which many have learned about, either second-hand or through living in the area.

The Moon-Eyed People

There was a group of humanoids called the Moon-Eyed People, who were short, bearded, and had pale skin with large, bright eyes. They were completely nocturnal due to their eyes being extremely sensitive to light. Although not mythical, they were considered a separate race of people by some. The tribes viewed them as a threat and forced them out of their caves on a full moon night. They were said to have scattered to other parts of Appalachia as the moon’s light was too bright for their eyes. There are some early structures that are believed to be related to the Moon-Eyed People, dating back to 400 BCE. Some theories suggest that they were early European settlers who arrived much before Columbus discovered the Americas. Other theories suggest they were people who had Albanism.

Image of The Moon Eyed People Statues in Murphy, North Carolina

Spearfinger

Spearfinger is a Cherokee legend of a shapeshifting, stone-skinned witch with a long knife in place of one of her fingers. She often was described as an old woman, which she would take the form of to convince Cherokee children that she was their grandmother. She would sit with them, brush their hair until they fell asleep, and then kill them with her “spear finger.” She had a love of human livers which she would extract from the bodies of those she killed. It was said she left no visible scars on her victims. She carried her own heart in her hand to protect it, as it was her one weakness. As the legend goes, she was captured and defeated with the help of several birds that carried the information to defeat her. Though she has been destroyed, sometimes you can hear her cackles and songs throughout the mountains. 

Image of SpearFinger Cherokee Legend

W*ndigo

This spirit is said to go to where its name is called allowed so since most of us already know the name I won't be writing it out in completion. So out of respect for some of our native readers, it will remain censored

The W*ndigo is a creature, sometimes referred to as an evil spirit, that is said to be 15 feet tall with a body that is thin, with skin pulled so tight that its bones are visible. Many native legends view it as a spirit of greed, gluttony, and insatiable hunger. It is a flesh-eating beast that is considered most active during the colder months, and its presence is easily felt and smelt. It has been described as having a distinct smell of rot and decay due to its skin being ripped and unclean. It produces an overwhelming urge of greed and insatiable want. Most notably, it is not one to chase or seek after its prey; instead, it uses its terrifying mimicry skill. It often mimics human voices, screams, loved ones, or anything that might entice its victim to come to it. In some cases, it is believed the W*ndigo is a spirit that can possess other humans and fill them with greed and selfishness, turning them into W*ndigos as well.  

Appalachian Folk Practices

Many of the common Appalachian folk practices stem from things the Native Americans and Enslaved Africans taught them mixed in with cultural practices from Europe. Here I will go over some of the most common practices done by the Appalachian people

Water Dowsing

water dowsing is a practice that has been done for hundreds of years in many different cultures. This practice was brought over by the European settlers and was how many people of the time found where to dig for their water. The practice itself is simple in nature, you take a forked branch from a tree and hold it in both hands and walk around once the stick points down due to the electromagnetic current that's where you dig your well.

this isn't exactly the best way to find water but many people still do it to this day.

Image of Someone Using A Dowsing Rod

Bottle Trees

This practice originated in the Congo area of Africa, in the 9th century A.D. brought to America by the slave trade, in the 17th century. Bottle Trees, were popular in the American South and up into Appalachia, the spirits are said to be attracted to the blue color of the bottles, and captured at night, then when the sun rises it destroys the evil spirits.

This is still practiced in the modern era by many Appalachian Folk Practitioners

Image Of Bottle Trees

SIN EATING

This practice originates from the Ancient Greeks and Egyptians, it branched to many different cultures and has been practiced since antiquity by many Christian and Catholic tribes. And later making its way to America via immigration. The process was once a profession in Appalachia, in which food was placed on or near the deceased and a person dressed in all black would eat the food absolving the dead of all of their earthly sins. This essentially cemented their ability to get into heaven. The practice while sparsely done any more as a profession, it can still be found in many peoples funeral services to this day around the world.

Many cultures still do this practice and the sin eaters usually choose to hide their identity as the practice is seen as taboo to this day.

Popular Herbs To Forage In Appalachia Folk Practices

Wild Leeks or RAMPS!!!

Allium tricoccum, are a species of wild onion native to North America. They are a delicacy, and hold a special place in the hearts of many Appalachians. Native Americans such as the Cherokee ate the plant and used it medicinally for a variety of purposes including as a spring tonic. Early European settlers learned how to Forage from the Indigenous People and continued to eat and use ramps medicinally. Ramps provide many nutrients and minerals and historically have been used to nourish people after harsh winters.

*RAMPS poisoness Look Alike

False hellebore (Veratrum) is a highly poisonous plant that can be mistaken for a prized wild edible, the wild leek, or ramp (Allium tricoccum)

Chicken of the Woods

Laetiporus sulphureus. Chicken of the woods is a sulphur-yellow bracket fungus of trees in woods, parks and gardens. They are delicious and are loved by many foragers, Native Americans, and Appalachians alike. The Native Americans taught the early settlers that these were edible and have been a favorite ever since. Chicken of the Woods is most likely to be found from August through October, but it can be found as early as May and up to December depending on where you live.

*These have a poisoness look alike, Jack O Lantern mushrooms

The Jack-o'-lantern mushroom should not be eaten because it is poisonous to humans. It contains toxic chemicals that can cause severe stomach upset accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea and headache

PawPaws

The Pawpaw Asimina triloba, is well loved by Appalachian locals as a native fruit with a tropical taste. Pawpaw fruit is the largest tree fruit native to the United States, and its custard-like flesh has been said to taste like a combination of banana, pineapple, and Mango. The pawpaw has been used by Native Americans for centuries for both its fruit and its medicinal properties. Many tribes, including the Osage and Sioux, ate the fruit; the Iroquois used the mashed fruit to make small dried cakes to reconstitute later for cooking. PawPaw season is late summer, look for the smell of rotting fruit, eat the ones that are squishy to the touch.

*They resemble mangos on the trees, many options to eat the ones that are on the floor already as they usually have ripened, but you can also ripen them at home.

Appalachia has a rich and beautiful history filled with magic and delicious food. But the only real way to learn about Appalachia is to visit it. Go and speak with locals, learn about the history, their delicious foods, and powerful Grandma magic, and you too will fall in love with Appalachia.

Thank you for sitting down and having Tea with me on the Other side of the Great Divide

[artemisian-dragon]

Music for Dragons and Dragon People

Do you like music? Of course you do. Here are some playlists I use for my practice and personal listening.

General Listening/Upbeat: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2elzSFhkKsHSyXHAxi6dGc?si=b6e846ae44cc45e2

Meditation: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7DuQqYlOdAuaBI2npPRv5U?si=51f67ca2fbac44c7

Enjoy! Please feel free to throw recommendations my way, too!

[artemisian-dragon]

Draconic Witchcraft & Working With Dragons💫

What is Draconic Witchcraft?

Draconic witchcraft is witchcraft performed with or taught by dragons. Some people do not believe in the existence of dragons but I would argue that working with them is similar to working with any other deity. Dragons and their energy is often connected to the four elements and can be very draining to work with. Unlike a relationship with a deity, which can place them on a pedestal, dragons expect equality. Therefore, if they give you something (knowledge, help, etc.), they expect to receive something in return. Draconic magic relies heavily on visualization, meditation and other forms of messaging through the subconscious. Their messages are often very hard to decipher so practitioners are reliant on divination and intuition to understand signs. In order to work with dragons, you must have a strong mind and a strong will. They put practitioners who want to work with them through many trials/tests in order to prove their worthiness.

Why Work With Dragons?

Although draconic witchcraft can be challenging and the information regarding this practice is limited, it can also be extremely rewarding. Dragons help facilitate change and personal growth (although sometimes forced). They are also incredibly knowledgable and can be amazing teachers and guides. Many draconic witches find that the bulk of their knowledge and experience comes directly from the dragons they work with rather than books or research. Dragons appear in nearly every culture in the world and posses great cultural significance.

The First Steps:

These steps come before you even interact with dragons and will help you prepare to begin draconic witchcraft.

Research- the golden rule of witchcraft and the starting point for every new avenue. Forming a basic understanding of dragons and their practices is the first step in beginning draconic witchcraft.

Practice meditation- developing a meditation routine is important because dragons rely on messaging through the subconscious to communicate. Being able to meditate for long periods of time can be difficult so practicing it bit by bit will help you in the long run.

Determine your method of divination- divination is an important tool in draconic witchcraft so determining your favourite method and developing your skills is vital.

Practice visualizing- this one is going to be different for everyone because not everyone can see images in their mind. The way I like to practice is by picking an object in my room and starring at it until I have it memorized. Then I close my eyes and try to recreate it in my mind in as much detail as possible. If you do not see pictures in your mind, try looking online for other ways to practice.

Connect with elemental energies- having an understanding of elemental energies is important because dragons are often very closely tied to the elements. Knowing what the energies of each element feels like to you will be helpful later on.

*All images are from Pinterest*

🖤Check out the author D.J Conway for more information on dragons and draconic witchcraft.

[artemisian-dragon]

I truly wish there were more authors versed in dragon magic and we weren't essentially forced to read these books when starting out...

If anyone knows of dragon books that aren't Wicca based and aren't D&D books (yes I've seen practioners recommend a dragon D&D book), do send them my way!

Ok been trying to get into dragon magic. I was recommended this book as a basis of draconic magic. I finished it today. Do I recommend it? Hnnnmngggghh maaaaybeeeee???? I stuck with it the best I could despite some obvious cultural and lore inaccuracies but I ended skipping a lot of the ritual work, all of it. I recently learned why Conway isn't really respected in the witch community and... I totally get it.

I don't enjoy dunking on things recommended to me especially since there aren't a lot of dragon magic books out there. I kept in mind who the author is and at what time this was written. It was published in 1994 so I tried my best to keep by opinions to the side because of the time and person it was written by. I have my own draconic teacher and the amount of times he corrected something was at least once every chapter but that's my own experience. Of you read the book yourself you can obviously make your own observations.

But generally speaking this book is under HEAVY assumption that you are Wiccan and it comes across as witchcraft = wiccan practice. We all know it's not. Shit, I'm Catholic and sometimes it felt like I wasn't welcome to read this book because of a lot of anti-christian sentiment in here. (Yes I know. Christianity is the reason why the craft is demonized but I don't think it's right to have a personal vendetta against people who are Christian and it comes off as that sometimes. As a Catholic witch I think it's safe for me to say not all of us demonize the craft).

Lore wise there is definitely things taken out of context and misinformation. A ton of it. If you pick it up be very critical of it. Also, do not be afraid to dabble in draconic magic. Conway has this very high and mighty stance of sort of, not so much shaming but putting people down for dabbling in magic and goes so far as to say to put the book down and don't even try draconic if you're gonna dabble. An attitude of "SERIOUS MAGICIANS ONLY" sort of gatekeeping and honestly it bothered me A LOT. From personal experience the dragon I am learning under said dabbling is ok, especially if you are new to witchcraft or want to explore a certain path because you don't know if that path is what you really wanna do and you won't know until you dip your toes into the water.

Conway just has this sort of arrogance in the book as if she's the expert on dragons. Granted! She has worked with dragons for over 20 years so some things she has to say can be helpful like understanding the basic elements of the dragons but there is just a lot of lore misinformation and she tends to act as if the way she does her rituals are the correct ways to practice dragon magic when really every witch has their own way of doing things. It all depends on you and if you made contact with a dragon they'll surely assist you in how you will practice the draconic craft.

Bottom line: do I recommend this book? With a heaping pile of sea salt. Would I say this is a very small foundation to explore draconic craft? Sure but with that heaping pile of sea salt. Personally I recommend trying to make a connection with a dragon first before reading this book. Find other draconic witches like alchemy.of.spirit or that.dragon.witchh on Instagram and check out their content. Dancing with Dragons is the bare bottom of the barrel minimum of you really need a book to start somewhere. Keep the salt around while you read it and thanks for listening to my TED talk!

Happy Mabon!

[artemisian-dragon]

Jes' Collection of Witch Books

I said I would make this list, so here I am, making this list.

These are all the Witchy (and witchy-adjacent) books I own and/or have read. It's a long list, so it's going under a cut!

Key of Symbols:

📗 Read

📖 Reading

📚 Not Yet Read

Books that I own

📗 Rebel Witch by Kelly-Ann Maddox (Review)

📖 A Dabbler's Guide to Witchcraft by Fire Lyte

📚 Spellcrafting by Arin Murphy-Hiscock

📚 The House Witch by Arin Murphy-Hiscock

📗 Witchery by Juliet Diaz (Review)

📚 A Witch's Guide to Spellcraft by Althea Sebastiani

📖 All That is Sacred is Profaned by Rhyd Wildermuth (edit: nevermind, he's a transphobe now)

📚 Reclaiming Ourselves by Emma Kathryn

📖 In the Midnight Hour by Anthony Rella

📚 Weave the Liminal by Laura Tempest Zakroff

📚 Traditional Witchcraft: A Cornish Book of Ways by Gemma Gary

📗 Grovedaughter Witchery by Bree NicGarran (@breelandwalker)

📗 The Sisters Grimmoire by Bree NicGarran (@breelandwalker)

📚 Witchcraft by Anastasia Greywolf or Tamsin Chamberlin (don't buy this one: here's why)

Books I read from the Library

📗 The Modern Witchcraft Spell Book by Skye Alexander (don't buy this one: here's why)

📗 Backwoods Witchcraft by Jake Richards

Zines and Pamphlets

📗 A Pagan Anti-Capitalist Primer

📗 Brainscan 33: DIY Witchery by Alex Wrekk (@upthewitchypunx)

📗 Brainscan 34: A Dabbler's Week of DIY Witchery by Alex Wrekk (@upthewitchypunx)

📗 Everyday Magic #1

📗 Everyday Magic #2

📗 Exploding the Tangerine by Clint Marsh & Oliver Bly

📗 Five Principles of Green Witchcraft by Asa West

📗 Hex Your Ex

📗 The Witchy Zinester's Pocket Book of Spells

📚 Twin Peaks Tarot Spreads

📚 Sow Sprout Grow Tarot Spreads

Charity Bundle E-Books

These all came as a bundle, so the quality will vary as it does with any bargain grab-bag. I'm not linking these unless I've read (or am reading) them because it takes a long time, and I have no idea if they're good or absolute shit. If you want to learn about these, you know how the internet works.

📚 City Magick by Christopher Penczak

📚 Consorting with Spirits by Jason Miller

📚 Herbal Magick by Gerina Dunwich

📚 Hex Twisting by Diana Rajchel

📚 Italian Folk Magic by Mary-Grace Fahrun

📚 Love Magic by Lilith Dorsey

📚 Magic When You Need It by Judika Illes

📚 Magickal Astrology by Skye Alexander

📚 Personal Magic by Marion Weinstein

📚 Plant Witchery by Juliet Diaz

📚 Positive Magic by Marion Weinstein

📖 Queering Your Craft by Cassandra Snow

📚 Reading the Runes by Kim Farnell

📚 Spellcrafting by Gerina Dunwich

📚 The Big Book of Tarot by Joan Bunning

📚 The Study of Witchcraft by Deborah Lipp

📚 The Witch's Eight Paths of Power by Lady Sable Aradia

📚 The Witch's Guide to Wands by Gypsey Elaine Teague

📚 True Magic by Draja Mickaharic

📚 Water Witchcraft by Annwyn Avalon

📚 Wicca Made Easy by Phyllis Curott

📚 Wishcraft by Sakura Fox

📚 Witch, Please by Victoria Maxwell

📚 Witchcraft Activism by David Salisbury

📚 Year of the Witch by Temperance Alden

[artemisian-dragon]

White spring at Glastonbury - Avalon

[artemisian-dragon]

low energy devotion

for low spoons, low money, etc.

vol. mercurius

listen to music (ive found he loves AJR & IDKHBTFM)

go for a hike/nature walk

do some reflection on your mental state/health

indulge in some light hearted pranks

watch some comedy/funny media

enjoy some lemonade (bonus if its strawberry lemonade)

learn about budgeting/make a budget

go thrifting

donate/sell old items

collect crow trinkets

🧭🗺️🪙🪽

[artemisian-dragon]

What great mysteries lie in these woods

#my photgraphy #mountain driving #great smoky mountains

[artemisian-dragon]

Remember that not all spirits are interested in humans. Don't fall into the hubristic trap of thinking they exist just to serve and work with people; many spirits were here long before us, and many will be here long after we are gone. Reducing them to a catalog of magical pets and servants is genuinely blasphemous.

[artemisian-dragon]

New Tumblr but not new to Tumblr. Aiming to focus more on my craft so drop a follow or a heart if any of the following interest you:

Artemis

Apollo

Nyx

Lady of Avalon

Traditional witchcraft

Appalachian folk magic

Dragons

The Good Neighbors

I do also partake in fighting the oppressive system that is the entirety of the US

#pagan #witch #traditional witchcraft #tradcraft #goddess artemis #lord apollo #goddess nyx #great mother #dragon #appalachia #appalachian folk magic #the good neighbors #fae #faerfolk #did i miss any? #dragon magic #avalon #lady of avalon

[artemisian-dragon]

Why are traditional spells so goddamn weird?

Because ancient grimoires reflect the reality of their time.

Old love spells often require you to take something from your target because photographs did not exist yet. Even once they did, it was much simpler to grab a hair from someone’s coat than to steal their photograph from inside their home.

And who else would you cast a spell on if not the guy next door who would be so easy to borrow a handkerchief from? People’s worlds were small. There was no social media, TV or frequent travel. The only men most women were interested in were the ones right in front of them.

Many ancient vengeance spells require the body parts of a hanged man because such corpses littered the streets back then. They would be left there for months, even years, to deter people from committing crime. Cutting a piece of their skin was as easy as picking an apple from a tree.

Animal sacrifice too was rampant because livestock were valuables. People’s wealth was measured mostly through the size of their land and the number of cows in their farm. Not through the model of their Apple Watch or the carat of gold in their necklace — things that some offer as sacrifice these days.

This truth is not restricted to spells. It applies to things like literature too. Poets could write hundreds upon hundreds of words about trees and rivers alone because they are what surrounded them back then. Now we are surrounded by malls, McDonald’s and Starbucks. That is why today’s poets often write metaphors about coffee, shopping and whatnot.

When reading ancient grimoires, keep that in mind. These witches’ reality was different from ours. Although, in traditional witchcraft, the goal is to stay true to the old path. As true as sensibility allows.

[artemisian-dragon]

[artemisian-dragon]

I cannot wait for the day my feet finally land in Glastonbury. I avoided delving deeper into my past lives because I know home is just within reach yet so unattainable right now.

“Mists of Avalon”.

A view of Glastonbury, UK, on cold January morning from Glastonbury Tor at sunrise. 

Photo by Michelle Cowbourne

Royal Meteorological Society’s Weather Photographer of the Year Awards

[artemisian-dragon]

The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley rebound from paperback to hardcover with black hand-dyed sienna leather, silver foiled pages, and purple and silver vinyl tooling.