SAY WHAT?
Who's binding what?
by: Faerie Godsmother by Faerie GodsmotherWHEN LIFE BRINGS YOU LEMONS...HOW TO HOLD ONTO YOUR RITUAL PRACTICE
by Michelle Pellin
Letter from the Owner
Wisdom from the Faerie Godsmother: It's Gonna Be Lit
The Witches' Corner: The Witch's Call to Arms: Why We Must Keep Fighting for Reproductive Rights
The Devil's Advocate: The Invention of Evil Pagan Group Listings
Chronically (ch)ill Witchcraft: Fibro Edition
When Life Brings You Lemons...How to Hold onto Your Ritual Practice
Letter From the Editor
PURPLE MAGIC: The Lavender Goddess poem Say What?
Magick is a complicated thing, and no results are guaranteed. No medical or income claims are made in this publication. This publication may contain adult language and situations. There is a wide array of views expressed in this publication. Read at your own risk. Perform any spells or rituals at your own risk.
If you open some creepy portal or summon an uncooperative demon, it's not our fault.
Dear Reader --
Thank you for taking this journey once again, as we wander through the pages of this month's issue.
It's late as I write this, so forgive me if I am not eloquent or verbose.
I want to tell you how important you are to me. This magazine is a labor of love, and it is an honor and a privilege to bring this to you each month (with lots of help from my writers and editor, of course!).
So grab a cup of tea, peruse our pages, and enjoy
If you feel so led, we'd love to have your feedback.
I wish you Peace, Long Life, & Joy --
Lady Shay BygulP.S. If you are enjoying this magazine, would you consider buying me a coffee? It's just $3, but it would help a lot and be very much appreciated. https://ko-fi.com/ladyshay
Throughout history and across cultures, the image of a witch has been shrouded in mystery and intrigue. From pointy hats and broomsticks to cauldrons and spells, the concept of a witch has captured the human imagination for centuries. But what truly makes a witch? Is it the stereotypical trappings or something deeper? In this article, we'll delve into the multifaceted nature of witches, exploring the historical, cultural, and modern interpretations that contribute to their captivating allure.
The concept of witches dates back to ancient civilizations. In societies where the understanding of natural phenomena was limited, individuals who possessed knowledge of herbal medicine, healing, or divination were often revered or feared as mystical figures. These individuals could be male or female and were regarded as intermediaries between the spiritual and earthly realms.
One of the most infamous periods associated with witches is the European witch trials of the 16th and 17th centuries These dark chapters in history saw thousands of individuals, primarily women, accused of practicing dark arts and subsequently subjected to torture and execution. These trials were influenced by religious, social, and political factors, reflecting the prevailing fears and anxieties of the time.
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The image of a witch is not confined to Western folklore alone. Cultures around the world have their own interpretations of witchcraft and magic. In African, Caribbean, and Latin American traditions, for example, there are practitioners known as healers, shamans, or witch doctors who are revered for their ability to connect with the spirit world and provide guidance or remedies
Similarly, in Wiccan and modern pagan traditions, witches are seen as practitioners of earthbased spirituality, focusing on rituals, nature worship, and a deep connection to the cycles of the moon and the seasons. These practices emphasize harmony with nature and personal empowerment
In the modern era, the image of a witch has taken on new dimensions. Popular culture, from books and movies to social media, has contributed to a resurgence of interest in witchcraft. While some individuals may still adhere to traditional practices, others have embraced a more eclectic and individualistic approach to witchcraft
Modern witches often emphasize the importance of intention, mindfulness, and self-care in their practices. Many engage in rituals, meditation, and spellwork to manifest positive change in their lives. Additionally, there is a growing emphasis on inclusivity and diversity within the witchcraft community, as practitioners strive to create a space that is welcoming to people of all backgrounds, genders, and identities.
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At its core, being a witch is not solely about casting spells or wearing black robes. It's about a personal journey of empowerment, self-discovery, and transformation. Witches, regardless of their specific practices, often seek to harness the natural energies of the universe to create positive change in their lives and the lives of others. Whether through connecting with nature, exploring spirituality, or embracing ancient traditions, witches find a sense of agency and purpose in their craft.
What makes a witch is a complex tapestry woven from history, culture, and personal beliefs. From the healers of ancient civilizations to the diverse practitioners of today, the concept of a witch continues to evolve and adapt to the changing times. Ultimately, it is the pursuit of knowledge, connection, and the desire to shape one's reality that defines the essence of a witch, transcending the boundaries of time and culture.
So what truly makes a witch?
It's whatever you feel works for you.
Lady Shay embodies a rich spectrum of spiritual beliefs as a devoted Unitarian Universalist Pagan and an eclectic witch Deeply attuned to the interconnectedness of all beings and the beauty of nature, she finds solace and inspiration in the diverse traditions and practices that encompass her spiritual path. Driven by a profound sense of purpose, Shay has dedicated herself to uplifting the Pagan community and creating a platform where individuals can freely share their wisdom, experiences, and perspectives
In January of 2022, fueled by her passion for fostering community and promoting spiritual growth, Shay embarked on a remarkable journey by founding Purrfectly Pagan Magazine
Recognizing the need for a publication that caters specifically to Pagans and their unique spiritual needs, she set out to create a sanctuary within the pages of her magazine a space where fellow Pagans could come together, celebrate their traditions, and explore the depths of their faith.
Through Purrfectly Pagan Magazine, Shay not only imparts wisdom but also provides a platform for individuals within the Pagan community to share their unique voices and perspectives She believes that everyone has a story to tell, and by amplifying these diverse voices, she empowers her readers to forge deeper connections and foster a sense of belonging within the broader Pagan community.
Driven by a genuine desire to make a difference, Shay goes beyond the pages of her magazine to actively support and engage with the Pagan community. She organizes events, workshops, and gatherings that bring together like-minded individuals, creating opportunities for collaboration, learning, and personal growth. By fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie, Shay weaves a vibrant tapestry of shared experiences and collective wisdom that helps propel the Pagan community forward.
A 15 year old girl stands in front of her dresser obsessing over the positioning of her candles and playing with the fire as i flickers. She was harnessing her skills by pinching the air above the flames asking the flames to move with her. She was fascinat by fire and enjoyed watching it dance in the direction she asked to go. She had a relationship with fire until her house burned dow four years later.
Although she had nothing to do with the origins of that fire, an everyone came out of it physically fine, her relationship with fire changed. She was afraid of fire and stayed away for a long time, but eventually, the warmth, the crackling noises, and the sight of flames dancing allured her and she was doing fire magick once more.
That girl was me. I still have a healthy respect for fire. I still don't leave it unattended and I am careful in my practice Fire magick is so beautiful and powerful that I cannot stay away
Every time you use the stove or oven and put love in your food, you're using fire magick. Any time you make a soup or healing potion using heat, you're using fire magick. Any time you use the Sun in your practice you're using fire magick. Fire magick is fun, potent, and it's EVERYWHERE! But be sure to be safe with your use of fire, as with any of the elements, it can be dangerous.
Fire is fickle in that its flames dance and can go out in an instant or set the world on fire. It is reacts to everything from environment to emotions of fire magick practitioners. That's why it is so important to keep calm when working with fire. The more out of control you and your emotions are, the more out of control the fire can get. It is especially reactive to anger.
That said, fire can also be very soothing and mesmerizing to watch. Watching the flames of a candle, a bonfire, or a fire in the fire place can be meditative and help calm you.
So before you use the flames in your magickal practice, take a moment with them and allow yourself to be calmed by their dancing. Use those moments to focus your mind, calm your emotions and set your intentions. Then, when you are calm and focused, begin your spell work.
Water, Air, Earth, and Fire can each destroy all of the others, but fire is the only one that needs to consume one of the others in order to exist. That says something about it's personality. It is powerful and incredible but cannot exist without the others. It needs them, especially Air and Earth.
Fire is said to have a very masculine energy because it runs hot and can be very active Fire is like a shark, if it stops moving, it dies. Air is much the same way. Whereas water and earth can be still with little movement and still be as alive as ever. Don't get it twisted though, water and earth can move when they want and will swallow you whole if they want. They are considered the passive and feminine elements but they are just as powerful as air and fire. They just have a little bit more chill. Whereas fire and air have no chill, they're always active, even when they're calm.
Because of their activity fire and air are great to use when you want instant results. You can use them together very easily by burning sage, incense, a candle or anything with a scent.
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When asking Dian Cecht (the Irish God I go to for healing) I combine water, earth, air, and fire magick by making delicious healing soups. When doing gratitude blessings and talking to the Fae I use earth, water, air and fire to make coffee and pour the grinds on my plants While doing readings I use fire and air magick by lighting frankincense incense.
Fire magick is used in nearly every spell that I do, whether it be for Brigid (the Goddess of the hearth) asking for her help my family, healing with Dian Cecht's help, or needing The Morrigan's help. Water isn't always used, earth isn't always used, but air and fire usually are. I guess you can say I'm the fire starter but I'm not a twisted firestarter... or maybe I am. You be the judge.
(All pictures used in this article were taken by the author during her different rituals that she took part in.)
Owner of Holly Be Healing, a business dedicated to energetic and spiritual healing. While the business, Holly Be Healing, is only a few years old, Holly’s dedication to helping people has been a lifelong mission and her talent for intuitively knowing what people are feeling and how to help them heal is as skill that Holly has honed over the years Holly taught Shaolin Chuan Fa for 10 years and Yang Style Tai Chi for 5 years. While doing and teaching the martial arts she discovered her love of energy work and started focusing a lot on meditation. She became a certified Chakra Meditation Specialist and certified health coach in order to help people clear their chakras and heal physically, spiritually and emotionally.
Holly has been reading Oracle Cards, and tarot for 26 years privately and just recently added it to the services that she provides through Holly Be Healing. Holly Be healing offers Chakra Meditation sessions, Moving Meditation sessions, and Oracle Reading sessions to clients of all types. Holly has read for all types of people, schoolteachers, massage therapists, stay at home moms, jewelry designers, and even radio stars. She has lead meditation sessions with black belts, teachers, local artists, IT specialists, world renowned artists, and countless others.
Holly is also the co-creator of a unique and fun podcast, "Psychics and Swears," where she and her cohost enjoy doing 5-minute fun readings and interviewing our favorite intuitives. Holly and her partner John Shäden are also the creators of the amazing fragrance, "Moon Owl Moon Water."
To learn more, please reach out to Holly: 475-329-8997
Hollybhealthy@gmail.com
Preface: This is just my experience as a witch with Fibromyalgia Everyone’s experience is different - just the same as everyone’s path is. Remember… Your experience and your Craft are valid. Thank you.
As an avid reader Witch, I have read countless books over the years that discuss how to perform a ritual for witchcrafting – for spell work, ceremonial witchcraft, to shield, to ward, for this reason and/or that reason…
But since 2018, after having the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia added along with a list of other illnesses this human experience has had, I have always been rather discouraged and began thinking that I couldn’t be a “real witch” because there were some days I couldn’t even get out of bed to take care of myself (aside from the essentials, of course), let alone fight through the brain fog that comes with Fibromyalgia (and many other chronic illnesses) to even pick up a book to read on a witchy topic of the day (or week, or month, or year…)
For those who do not know, Fibromyalgia is “is a chronic (long-lasting) disorder that causes pain and tenderness throughout the body, as well as fatigue and trouble sleeping. Scientists do not fully understand what causes it, but people with the disorder have a heightened sensitivity to pain.
There is no cure for fibromyalgia, but doctors and other health care providers can help manage and treat the symptoms. Treatment typically involves a combination of exercise or other movement therapies, psychological and behavioral therapy, and medications ” –NIAMS article of Fibromyalgia.
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Day to Day for Fibromyalgia Warriors, which some refer to themselves as, can be vastly different – From waking up stiff as a board (unfortunately, not light as a feather) and having that last throughout the day, to having an “okay” day, that I would describe as to where people have actually said, “Well, you look healthy to me!” (eyeroll.)
And some don’t dare to push themselves on “okay” days. Not unless the “luck” of the draw would “like” to have what’s called a Fibro Flare (which is an exacerbation of symptoms) for a good week… never mind a few days!
So, for my Path and Craft (I’m an Eclectic Chaos Witch!), I opt for more of these sorts of things:
● Tarot and Oracle! Easy to do from my bed, as I keep a lot of my decks nearby. I also have a Selenite wand on my nightstand that I use to cleanse the area, myself, and my cards.
● Body Oils. I have a few favorites that I use on my arms, behind my ears – I have a third eye specific oil that I place there. There are so many different kinds of oils, too, such as: self-love, money and luck, protection; for deities, calling in your guides, the fae, archangels….! Oils are so versatile, and a lot of places offer these!
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● Meditation! An important one, and one I admit I need to do more of. I throw something on YouTube that vibes with me… and go with it. Guided meditations are so helpful, too! A lot of Smart TVs now have YouTube installed on it, or you can get to YouTube from most any cellular or tablet device now!
You don’t have to perform big rituals or ceremonies in witchcraft to be a Witch. It’s okay to take medicine as a Witch (you’d be surprised how much I’ve heard that witches shouldn’t be medicated from people on the interweb and social media!)
You are still magical, no matter what And the only person who can take that away from you, is you.
Jess Reed is a faerie living in a human experience. They have identified as a Witch since they were a teen.
WRITTEN BY: LILY MAYA
This is a story about Lavender tea. And the magic this Goddess brings...
Under the purple storm, the Divine is born. She's awake & she's magic.
There's a fire burning inside but you won't see the blister, but experience the spark.
Walking softly through the fields of life her mind is peaceful & her smile is wide.
She knows your pain, she heals your wounds then off you go, enjoy the bloom.
Painted by royals & scented by Gods, created to cleanse the energy around your heart.
She's awake & she's magic. Wishing you Calm & Magic
Lily discovered her desire for writing at an early age. She asked her granny to buy her a notebook and waiting for no teacher, she start waving words on paper, with passion and in awe.
In her 20's she gathered some pieces of her work and publish them, becoming an author of the 'Ruthless Silence' poetry book.
She then continues to feed her soul through various art forms. Today, as a founder of the Black Rabbit Tea brand, she runs a successful soul-led business and mentors others on their way to building this dream for themselves.
WRITTEN BY: MICHELLE PELLIN
The other day, I posted a question to my coven in order to gain inspiration. What are some struggles that you deal with as a modern day witch? Many wonderful and insightful answers came my way. However, the one that stood out for me the most came from a young mother who just experienced a challenging situation in regards to her newborn baby. Her baby was born with serious health issues, and almost didn’t make it How does a witch in 2023 find balance and consistency in ritual practice, when life throws your way some BIG changes?
This one hit home for me personally, as I have a lot of changes happening in my life currently within my family unit. News of horrendous health issues, coupled by family members suddenly packing up and moving across the country. On the one hand, the witchy part of me is jumping up and down like a child having a temper tantrum, screaming “This is the time to do MORE magic. What's wrong with you? Let’s get the show on the road!!”. The more human part of me is not only exhausted by the emotions attached to the situations at hand, but also flooded by an overwhelming todo list a mile long How do I find time to do my daily rituals, let alone more magic, when I find myself doggy paddling in the waters of life?
WRITTEN BY: MICHELLE PELLIN
My first instinct as a fellow coven member to this overwhelmed, sleep deprived mother, who barely has time to take a shower and feed herself, let alone do her ritual magic consistently, was to give her a big bear hug. Right now, the most important thing, in my humble opinion, is for her to take care of herself, so she can take care of her baby. Let go of the heaping helping of guilt and shame she is wallowing in. Taking care of herself IS her magical practice right now. Anyone who has experienced the trials and tribulations of being a young parent knows that getting a good night’s sleep and a hot meal is magical!!
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WRITTEN BY: MICHELLE PELLIN
The second thing that came to mind is to suggest modifying the ritual practice that she longs for. Perhaps ten minutes a day is too long for a mom with a colicky baby in tow. Lighting incense while carrying an infant isn’t the best practice. And remembering to provide offerings consistently may be asking too much on a brain soaked in parenting duties galore. Modifying her ritual practice for now may help this mom still feel connected to her magic.
The most important thing to remember is WE ARE THE MAGIC. If we aren’t feeling particularly magical, because we are soaked in baby vomit and/or drenched in the tears of a devastating situation, let’s give ourselves a break. Having a cup of hot coffee with intention can be magical. Let’s break this “all or nothing” cycle of thinking. Doing some ritual magic is better than doing nothing. And if today, you did nothing, well that’s OK too. We are human beings having a human experience. And life will bite you in the ass. Let’s forgive ourselves. The magic will be there for you when you return to it, waiting patiently, and with love.
Michelle began her spiritual journey when she was a child after a family trip at age 6 to Salem, MA. After being introduced to the world of the occult, Michelle became obsessed with witches and ghosts, using tarot and ouija to communicate with the spirit world, performing magic for friends and family, reading endless books about the witch trials and ghost encounters, watching endless hours of “Bewitched” and “Charmed”, and even writing her high school senior thesis on poltergeists. Halloween did not go by without Michelle dressing up as a witch, except for the year she was Casper the friendly ghost!
When Michelle entered college, got married, had a full-time job, had children, did foster care and had multiple pets (and somehow kept her sanity in check through it all), things came to a halt for over 30 years. During this time, Michelle continued to use her gifts of clairsentience and claircognizance without realizing it, as she was often labeled “too sensitive”, and was told “you seem to have someone looking out for you”. In 2014, Michelle gained her professional mental health counseling license, and in 2018, she was led by spirit to a holistic healing center in Durham CT called “The Red Barn in Durham”, where she left her full time social work job to have her own holistic private practice. This led Michelle to have a spiritual “breakdown” of her ego, also known as a spiritual awakening!
Michelle’s world was turned upside down, as she was raised Roman Catholic, as she was taught that they were the one “true” religion. Michelle began to question everything, obsessively research, and challenge herself to let go of the guilt, shame and limiting beliefs that attaches itself to anyone who follows this religious path. Michelle felt terrified and exhilarated all at the same time while she was pulling away from a belief system layered in fear, and at times, thought she might be going crazy…
Michelle then joined a spiritual support group, which helped her connect with others who were going through the same process, and also helped her connect to a community of like minded individuals. Relief was on its way, as Michelle learned that others were having the same experiences as her! Michelle’s first mentors were Stephanie Rosally-Kaplan, Reiki Master/teacher/psychic medium, and Jennifer Gaylord, psychic medium, the leaders of the support group. Stephanie and Jennifer helped Michelle connect with her gifts, her ancestry, and her healing abilities. Within a few months, Michelle became a Reiki Master, and was able to use this ability to help others heal on a physical and emotional level.
In 2019, Michelle then met Paul Rice, psychic ghost worker (NOT hunter-Michelle does not believe in hunting people, or animals for that matter!), who would be her next mentor. Paul was teaching a class on how to tap into your psychic abilities in order to help ghosts move onto the light. Paul believed that there were many reasons why souls didn’t move on, and it was up to us to guide them, facilitate healing, and move them on to their version of heaven. Michelle developed her gifts, and realized that she could add clairvoyance to her spiritual resume! Paul was also teaching Michelle how to psychically protect herself, which is absolutely necessary for this type of work (although Michelle believes that humans are MUCH more scary than ghosts!). In 2021, Paul gave the group a formal name entitled “SHONE-spirit healers of New England” in order to continue his legacy (on FB and IG). When Paul retires and moves out of the country in 2023, Michelle will co lead the group, as her passion for rescue mediumship has soared.
In 2020, the pandemic hit, and doing things online suddenly exploded. Many famous mediums who were inaccessible suddenly were available at the request of a Zoom link. During this time, Michelle connected with mediums all over the world, and started doing practice circles and gallery readings that challenged her abilities (and scared her to death!). Michelle’s next mentor would be Kay Reynolds, an Arthur Findley college trained medium who was previously an elementary school teacher, and can work with others in a gentle and encouraging way (which is what Michelle needed!). Kay taught Michelle to develop her gifts even further, and the gift of clairaudience began to develop. Michelle continues to challenge herself, and will be working with more talented mediums in order to gain professionalism, and to learn how to perform trance mediumship.
In 2021, Michelle decided that the witchcraft had been put on a shelf for much too long! Michelle then began her year and a day training with Stacy Salpietro-Babb, an animist village witch who showed Michelle how to forage, craft spells, create sigils, perform tarot readings, read astrology, create self care items, perform rituals, tap into familiars, honor deities, and more! Most importantly though, Stacy showed Michelle how to be proud of who she was, and how to stand in her own truth. Michelle had finally come full circle!
Today, Michelle spends most of her days running her fully remote holistic telehealth practice from her home, encouraging people to be their true authentic selves. Michelle also runs ghost field trips that are open to the public, attends her mediumship and year and a day training classes, performs tarot and mediumship readings in private and at events, and spends time with her family, friends and her cat Loki. Michelle has her own blog entitled “Ghost and Spiritual Musings” on Facebook, where she shares her extraordinary experiences within the ghost and mediumship world. Michelle has also written for various publishings, such as CWPN (CT wiccan and pagan network), and writes ritual and spellwork for her groups.
Pioneer Valley Witches & Pagans - Western Massachusetts
Pioneer Valley Witches and Pagans group is for Pagans and Witches in the Pioneer Valley, Western Mass, and nearby areas to get together, chat, network, and socialize.
We have Meetups every two weeks. I'm trying to plan some more interesting outings and activities, set stay tuned! You can find us at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/pioneerwitchesandpagans/?ref=share
and for those not on Facebook: https://meetingplace.io/PVW
MA
Merry Meet! This group is for Pagans of all types (wiccan, neopagan, Celtic, etc.) in or near Fitchburg, MA, to meet and socialize.
It's also a welcoming place for those who are curious about paganism. We have online gatherings for those who are not local.
Join here: https://www.meetup.com/fitchburg-pagan-meetup-group
List your Pagan group here for free!
Contact Shay for info:
https://www.purrfectlypagan.com/contact.html
WARNING: ADULT LANGUAGE
“Ithinkhumanconsciousnesswasatragicmisstepinevolution.Webecametooself-aware, naturecreatedanaspectofnatureseparatefromitself;wearecreatureswhoshouldnotexist bynaturallaw.Wearethingsthatlaborundertheillusionofhavingaself;anaccretionof sensory,experienceandfeeling,programmedwithtotalassurancethatweareeachsomebody, wheninfacteverybodyisnobody.Maybethehonorablethingforourspeciestodoistodeny ourprogramming….Stopreproducing.Walkhandinhandintoextinction,onelastmidnightbrothersandsistersoptingoutofarawdeal.”
-RustCohle,TrueDetective
‘A Crown of Antlers’: A Review of ‘True Detective: season 1
WARNING:
by John Shaden
Those of you who are familiar with my work and my stance on things like police, spirituality, politics, etc may be shocked that I am a huge fan of the character of Rust Cohle ( played by Matthew McConaughey) on the HBO show True Detective, season 1. My fandom should be, if anything, seen as a shimmering thumbs up for the first season (season 2 ain't bad, but it ain't great, I ain't seen season 3 yet). I will be mentioning other characters from the show, but I'm gonna focus on Rust predominantly because his philosophy on life, death and futility semi-mirrors my own. Also, expect some spoilers (SPOILER WARNING!!!!!!), though I will try not to f*ck the narrative up too much. Honestly, if you haven't seen this series yet, stop reading this and go watch the first season. Its phenomenal.
Detective Rust Cohle isn't your average pig. He's a man who is haunted with deep emotional and psychological agonies that would drive most to a Kurt Cobain showstopper (allegedly). But as Cohle says when asked what the point of getting out of bed is in the morning and carrying on in a world of shit and misery,’ I say I’ll bear witness, but obviously it’s my programming; and I lack the constitution for suicide’. Honesty like that is either a cool, refreshing glass of water or a big ol’ swig of piss-warm bum vodka. He has no bedside manner, being referred to with many colorful nicknames and nom de plumes such as ‘the tax-man’ and my personal favorite ‘ the Michael Jordan of being a son-of-a-bitch’. Aint that great?
by John Shaden
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His character is partnered up with his antithesis, Detective Marty Hart, a Southern good ol’ boy, well liked and respected with a family and other qualities best left unmentioned. Played by the Great Woody Harrelson, he and Rust ‘catch a bad one’ out at a grand Oak Tree in a sugarcane field A young lady was drugged, tortured and murdered and her nude body was posed kneeling at the foot of the tree A blue spiral painted on the center of her back and a crown made of twigs, grass and antlers adorned her head. A blindfold over her eyes and her wrists bound, her hands in prayer. This is how the show starts. The Occult elements of the show are well thought out, well researched and well executed (no pun intended).
Many deities are invoked by this image of a crown of antlers. Cernunnos (pronounced ‘care noon ows’) of celtic mythology, Rohanitsa, and Wotan also come to mind. Pan is another horned God. This historical context and symbolism isn't lost on our misanthropic detective
His knowledge of such things along with his philosophy of nihilism and pessimism is like a jagged shard of stag horn in his partners’ side, and holy sh*t it is funny. The banter back and forth between these two is Dean Martin-Jerry, Lewis level funny….. That is if Dean and Jerry wanted to kick 7 shades of sh*t out of each other These two tough bastards tend to whoop on their suspects much more than each other, though neither one is safe from the other. These two blur the lines while still being good cops, which is kind of scarier than just being corrupt scumbags.
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by John Shaden
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All the while, the story is sliced up and spliced in a non-linear hurricane of past, present, and nothingness. Nietzschean philosophy is also invoked quite a lot, including the idea that time is a flat circle That nothing changes, but is merely recycled All your love, hate, fear, hopes and aspirations are an illusion, ‘a dream you had in a locked room’.
One thing that did annoy me, though, also a part of the brilliant writing, was the constant mentioning of ‘Devil Worship”’ and ritual human sacrifice. Of course, these ignorant swamp folk of Louisiana would assume that these crimes were committed by ‘Satanists’, invoking the ‘Satanic Panic’ of the 1980’s. They do end up uncovering a whole slew of lowlife scumf*cks who should be brutally executed publicly, but these slime are no kin of mine I don't care what you believe, if you hurt children, I'll gladly kill you. Period.
The state of Louisiana is one of the main characters itself. It's a bleak, hurricane scarred and oppressively balmy landscape of misery. Swamps of atavistic darkness surround these islands of nihilism and vice. An archipelago of electric lighted cities which are glorified whorehouses and drug dens, connected by the web strands of a grand spider, moving parts and snaring unlucky fools.
Louisiana is its own planet, ‘someone’s faded memory’.
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WARNING: ADULT
Ambrose Bierce’s work ‘The Inhabitant Of Carcosa’ is referenced in this season as well as Robert W. Chambers’ ‘The King In Yellow’. The cult in the show is a white trash hodge podge of half-baked occult knowledge and Lovecraftian fan fiction mixed up in the psychic blender of a meth head. Imagine if the Cthulhu swamp cult in the Cthulhu mythos were real, but the cult members had never read anything, much less Lovecraft’s work. To do such abhorrent things whilst sailing on an ocean of deep ignorance could only be done by a lunatic on methamphetamine.
For those who don't know, the ‘King In Yellow’s’ real name is Hastur, and he is one of the ‘great old ones’ in Lovecraft’s works and a half-brother to Cthulhu himself. This sh*t is a bit convoluted, I know. You might have to do a little bit of research to grasp the whole thing. It's a lot to take in, but it is worth it.
For whatever few faults it may have, True Detective season 1 blends noir detective storytelling, drama, humor, action and cosmic horror and makes it something unique and exciting. You both feel for the parties involved and simultaneously want to smash their faces with a toolbox. The story in a nutshell is two deeply flawed but honorable men trying to tackle an entity they are not honestly prepared for and going for it anyway, personal safety be damned. The definition of gallantry.
I leave you with this line, words that i live by; ‘The world needs bad men. We keep the other bad men from the door.’
John Schaden was born on a leap year in 1988. He is a musician, black magickian, and a chaos gnostic satanist John has had a keen interest in the occult and left hand path since as early as he can remember. He was born and raise Catholic, John found himself spiritually crippled and in his late teens decided to look into the darkness for answers and he found them. Through ritual magick and in communion with the divine, John has been able to sharpen his skills as a psychic and practitioner of the black work.
John founded an occult order known as the, “Order of the Oblivion,” in which he and his fraternal brother work with other occult organizations in forwarding their goals of gnosis, strength, and apotheosis in 2018. Along with his spiritual path, John has been the front man for the black metal band, “CARNIVOROUS STORM,” since 2018.
John has been a writer since he was a young boy, taking inspiration from authors such as Hunter S Thompson, E A Koetting, Michael W Ford, Charles Bukowski, and Sun Tzu. He has been published on many online forums and websites along with publishing his own work on Brilliantbias.com and various other websites over the course of the last 15 years.
Holly Broderick and John Shaden have teamed up to create an amazing psychic duo, in 2022. They call themselves, “Psychics and Swears,” and have helped numerous people with all kinds of issues. They have assisted several families get closure in 4 different cases of murder. They work very hard to be sure that their clients know that they are cared for, treat them with dignity and are important to their work all the while using cheeky language and humor.
N. R. Grossman asked: Do you think it's possible from someone to bind someone else from practicing Magick, making it ineffective?
Ok. Wow. Where to start? Let's start with the definition of binding. When looking up the word, 'binding,' in the dictionary, you're bound to find several different definitions. (See what I did there? hah!) The word binding can be a noun, verb, or adjective. Out of the 50 or so definitions that I found, only one definition does not say anything about constraints, tethering, tying together, becoming one with, securing, or protection.
In case you're curious, that one definition, that doesn't use those words states that the word binding means constipation. Don't believe me? Look it up: https://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/bind
The thing is, constipation is just a good a definition as any of the others to define what happens when you bind someone's magick. Binding someone's magick makes them incapable of using their skills, much like constipation makes a person incapable of using the bathroom.
Here's the thing. Binding someone else's abilities can be dangerous. While it has the potential to protect you and others from the practitioner in question it can be really tricky to do. Practitioners of magick often have layers of protection spells to keep them safe, and it can be difficult to get past all of that. Many practitioners use, "Return To Sender," spells for protection. If the person you're trying to bind has an effective "Return To Sender," set up, you're proverbially screwed because that'll sending the binding spell right back to you.
Not to mention if that practioner feels what you're doing and is more experienced or stronger in their craft, then not only will you likely fail in your quest but you may be starting a war with them. That is not a war you want to start.
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WHO'S BINDING WHAT NOW?Yes. Yes it is possible to disable someone else's magick abilities provided you know exactly what you're doing and are better and/or a more powerful practitioner than they are. But I STRONGLY advise against it. Just like constipation backs up excrement in your bowels causing discomfort and an abundance of crap, with an eventual proverbial bombing of the bathroom, binding someone improperly can cause a build up of power behind a magickal firewall leading to an eventual magickal bombing of the everything
The number one reason people think about binding someone else's magick is that they are afraid that the person is doing, or will do horrible things with their craft. If this is the case for you, you are likely better off protecting yourself and your loved ones with a "Return to Sender Spell," or some other protection spell.
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Dear Reader --
What inspires you? Is it love? Money? Fame? Family?
What lights a fire under your butt?
I've been contemplating this a lot. The more connected I am to what inspires me, the more success I have. Recently I've been inspired to do a lot of different things and I'm up late at night working on them, doing the things I love. I'm helping people and creating things I love for people who need my creations.
Motivational speakers call it, 'finding your why,' as they talk about manifestation I wonder if they know that they're promoting magick. I bet that a bunch of them have no idea that they're promoting magick.
I encourage you to think about your why. Think about the things that inspire you. Think about the reasons why you do what you do
P.S. If you are enjoying this magazine, would you consider buying me a coffee? It's just $3, but it would help a lot and be very much appreciated. https://ko-fi.com/ladyshay