Category: Uncategorized

To be a Local Witch

thespiralpath:

Throughout history and our legends, Witches and Wizards were the crazy men and women that lived on the outskirts of the village. Their craft was wild and strange to those that lived in the village, but, nonetheless, people would seek after their wisdom of the land, the plants, the local spirits, and for wisdom or guidance in their path. These men and women, often bachelors, would know the ins and outs of the region and often went walking alone. 

Today, our villages are less rustic and more like local towns, and suburbs. But one can still be a Local Witch, and develop special connections with the land you call home. 

Become a Local Witch: 

  1. Learn Local Lore
    Folktales, legends, and even tall tales develop the culture of a town or area. Learn these. Retell them over summer campfires, and over drinks with friends. People will start to LOVE your stories. 
  2. Start Frequenting locally owned shops and stores
    Develop connections and relationships with the owners and those that work there every day. Learn their names, and introduce yourself after visiting more often. Supporting locally owned shops helps small business owners and provides nourishment to your community. This is putting down roots, and develops your connection with the people that shape your town.
  3. Find a Local Bookstore
    This is an extension of 1 and 2. Locally owned bookstores always have a Local Writers, Local Plants, and Local History sections. Ask inside where these sections are, and start devouring these books. Not only will you be supporting a local shop, but you have a direct source of helpful information. Oftentimes, employees and owners also know a lot of Lore. Talk to them about what you’re interested in learning. They probably have some hidden gems of information. 
  4. Learn about your Indigenous Plants
    Start researching and learning about the flora that grows locally, learn their lore, their uses, and magical or folklore associations. If Natives from your area used these plants, find out how. Learn where these plants grow and research local foraging. If you’ve never foraged, see if you can find a local group that can serve as helpful guides to stay safe. Never ingest anything unless you are SURE. 
  5. Start a local Plant Grimoire
    Keep dried presses of flowers and plants in it, draw and diagram to help you remember what they look like. 
  6. Learn about the indigenous animals
    Research their folklore and mythology. Start finding out what they eat, and what their habitats are. (Safely) Do your part to help foster their growth and health. This could be making insect houses to help local endangered pollinators, or leaving out special birdseed for endangered bird species in the area. (Safely) Start interacting with the non-aggressive species and leave them treats. This is great for birds, deer, rabbits, moles, chipmunks, hedgehogs, etc 
  7. Join local Conservation Projects 
    Getting directly involved in wildlife conservation strengthens our spiritual and natural ties to the land we call our home. Taking personal responsibility and interest in it’s stewardship is honoring the spirits of the land, and the Gods. 
  8. Use Google Maps while exploring parks, or protected open spaces to drop pins and places where you find animal habitats or useful plants for foraging. 

That’s all for now. More will come later I’m sure. Now go be the best local Witch or Druid you can be! 

Ailments of the fairy folk

visardistofelphame:

I thought it would be interesting to list all the ailment (the ones I know and wish to share) that fairies can cause harm to mortal beings. Enjoy! Some found in folklore, others from personal experience, and some from a mix of both

  • Strike of the eye, eye struck, eye bite, or evil eye

Typically, it can range from being hexed to even cursed. The victims are plagued by bad luck. Some bits of folklore and stories of fairy doctors say that one can tell if they have been “bitten by those fairies eyes” from the victim’s eyes. A strange bruise or blue mark might also appear on their skin usually near the face. 

  • Fairy Wails, Banshee’s song, or the Fairy Dog’s howl

The victim is said to hear a fairy’s call, one which they were not meant to hear. Some say it is soothing, while others say it is frightening. Either way, it is something that can lead to some strange occurrences. Not always negative, it can sometimes lead to prophetic visions and even the fairy sight. Though, it can also lead to one’s death or expose them to illness of ghastly winds from the underworld and the dead. 

  •  The Fairy Strike, fairy struck, The fairy grasp, Cravings of Fairyland

The victims tended to be either youths or the elderly. They were people that fell and began to wither, whether it be physically or mentally. It is said they are being stolen away by the fairies to become their brides, grooms, nursemaids, or slaves. The people will wish isolation, no longer crave food, and lose interest in all that they once love. They merely want to sleep. 

  • The Fairy Bleat, Fairy Blast, or  “The Wind”

This is caused from a gust of wind sent from an angry fairy, which can cause a darkness of heart or for the heart to be swallowed up. They are weak and all strength is sucked up. They might also shiver and be cold, yet it is summer and warm. They might also become grayer in complexion. 

  • The Fairy Stroke (also called the Fairy Blast too) 

When someone is hit by a fairy, they will show signs usually lumps, tumors, bruises, strange marks (even claw marks), or even become paralyzed (both temporarily and permanently) 

  • Fairy Taken, Fairy-napped

Both physically or mentally, an individual has been taken away by the fairies. If physically, the person is missing (maybe replaced by a fake like a doll, animal, or even log). If mentally, the person is not responsive to anything or anyone, rather they lay in a state of sleeping. This usually is the result of the fairy grasp.

  • The Fairy Song, fairy’s flute, siren’s call

The call to those unknowing. It is hypnotic and pleasing to our ears. The victims forget themselves and are drawn to the call. Sometimes its straight into the sea, where they drown. Other times, its right into a fairy fort and to a Fairy Queen. 

  • Fairy Darts, fairy arrows, elf darts 

Small arrows and darts that fairies use to attack various creatures from crows to people. They typically aim around the joints and can cause pain, redness, and swelling. For cows, it might cause their milk to sour or go dry. 

  • Fairy Nightmares

When the fairies tug and pull at a sleeping person’s body (their hair, limbs, clothing, etc) and torment them in their sleep. 

  • Fool of the Forth, glance of the fool, Mad Eye

One of the more deadly ailments, the fool of the forth is believed to be incurable, though some swear that Biddy Early could cure them half the time. Basically, the victim looks into the eyes of the Fool and become mad. It can lead to them committing suicide, eating strange and dangerous things, becoming a wrathful beast, or even attacking friends/family. Some experience partial Mad Eyes, due to not directly looking at the fool of the forth. These cases can lead to severe symptoms that are temporary or very minor symptoms that stick with them. 

That’s all I’ve got to share with you guys, hope you enjoyed! Some sources below 🙂