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Âu Cơ

A story by MasterLibrarian on .

Welcome back to Fae Friday! (Many days late…) This time, we’re traveling to Vietnam to learn all about the Faery Queen they have to thank for creating their people. Âu Cơ, an immortal mountain faery, is at the center of Vietnam’s founding myth along with the dragon god Lạc Long Quân. They both left their respective homes in order to travel the land of Vietnam; Lạc Long Quân left the sea to battle monsters and Âu Cơ left the mountains to heal the people of the land. Their story starts as a typical damsel in distress tale. Âu Cơ was attacked by a bird-like monster and transformed herself into a beautiful white crane to escape. Lạc Long Quân was known as a monster hunter who earned humans’ admiration by slaying many mythological beasts that threatened their land and their lives. Seeing the white crane in peril, Lạc Long Quân killed the giant bird and saved Âu Cơ’s life. She immediately fell in love with her hero, and the two were married. Together, they became the Mother and Father of all the Vietnamese people. Their union led to Âu Cơ giving birth to 100 eggs, each of which hatched into strong, intelligent children (Kalmusky, 2018). (Some legends specify sons, but others say 50 daughters and 50 sons.)

Even though this was a love match between the immortal faery and the sea dragon god, both beings grew homesick for what they left behind. Though they always promised to love and help one another, they decided to separate. Each took 50 of their children with them: Lạc Long Quân went south to the ocean and Âu Cơ traveled north to her mountain home. The children who went south became fisherman and built extensive coastal villages, and those who populated the mountainous jungles learned to cultivate the land (Kalmusky, 2018). The oldest of their children, Hung Vuong, became the ancestral king of Vietnam, and present-day Vietnamese people are known as the grandchildren of the faery and the dragon (Canadian Museum of History, n.d.).

Âu Cơ, Lạc Long Quân, and their Children
Image via POPS Kids video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CI52V3lQTA

Activity

The Vietnamese people find hope within the tale of Âu Cơ and Lạc Long Quân because, even though its population might be separated by different terrain, they are still connected by that one sacred union. This post’s corresponding project is something that can help connect the earth and water elements within your own home, much like the mountain and ocean were connected in this origin story. I got the idea from a Hearth & Vine post by Patti Estep (2020) about making your own simple indoor water feature using river rocks: https://hearthandvine.com/diy-indoor-fountain/.

Indoor Fountain
via https://hearthandvine.com/diy-indoor-fountain

All you need is a medium or large waterproof bowl, some beautiful river rocks of your choosing, and a small water pump to make the fountain flow. The attached post has a recommendation for an inexpensive and efficient pump you can buy on Amazon for less than $10. You simply suction this pump to the bottom of your bowl, arrange your stones around it until only the pump’s outlet is showing, add your water, and then plug it in. Easy peasy!

You can add some extra magic to this feature by using moon water to fill the bowl. Choose the phase of the moon you wish to draw from and allow a jar of water to sit in the moonbeams for a few hours to soak up the lunar power. You can also incorporate water-safe crystals such as rose quartz, amethyst, and aventurine into this fountain for a beautiful witchy touch.

References

Canadian Museum of History. (n.d.). History of Vietnam: Legends and prehistory. https://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/cultur/vietnam/vitim02e.html

Estep, P. (2020, February 10). DIY indoor water fountain you can make in minutes. Hearth & Vine. https://hearthandvine.com/diy-indoor-fountain/

Kalmusky, K. (2018, May 25). Âu Cơ the fairy goddess: Mother of Vietnam’s people. https://theculturetrip.com/asia/vietnam/articles/au-co-the-fairy-goddess-mother-of-vietnams-people/

It Lives In You

A story by Calista Moon on .

Hello again, my darlings! Can you believe we’ve had 2 months of Tarot Tuesdays now? I have to say, writing all these posts has really brought me closer to my own witchcraft practice. It is deeply fulfilling to be sharing my knowledge with you and has certainly helped me flesh out my own grimoire! So let’s keep going, shall we? Today we’re going to talk about Strength in all its forms.

Upright, the 8th card of the Major Arcana speaks about physical, emotional, and psychological endurance and how this is rooted in our belief of our own capabilities. Your strength gives you the confidence to overcome growing fears, doubts, or challenges. You are fueled by your inner strength, personal power, and determination now. Your strong will allows you to control a situation quietly and without excessive outward force. Instead you guide gently knowing you will persevere. If you have been feeling burnt out, stressed, or drained, now is not the time to lash out at obstacles that appear in your path. Take your gut reactions, and channel the raw emotion into a constructive response. Note your instincts, but bring them into balance with your goals. The strength is in you to do so. Reach deep for your resolve.

It stands to reason, then, that its reversal shows us being vulnerable to self-doubt and lacking self-confidence. If you’ve been pushing hard to achieve a goal or dedicating yourself to others, you may feel sluggish. Strength reversed invites us to take stock and restore energy levels through withdrawal and others for a short time. You must take care of yourself if you wish to take care of others. If you neglect your own needs, you may find yourself prone to explosive behavior. Perhaps you’ve already lashed out at others and have acted without thinking. Beware your animalistic instincts. They can drive you to do or say something you will come to regret.

Strength is much like bravery. Even when you feel weak or scared, the ability to push ahead is where your real strength lies. The Strength card isn’t about forceful brawn. It’s about endurance and confidence, whether you’re lacking, or full to the brim. Use these qualities constructively and avoid reactive behavior where your primal, raw emotions are involved. While those feelings are valid, they won’t help further you toward your goal. Stay focused and in control of your faculties as best you can, my darlings! Let me know some calming techniques that work for you when you feel the animal aggression rising, and I’ll see you all next week!

Backyard Fairies

A story by MasterLibrarian on .

Happy Fae Friday! I’m doing things a little differently for this post, and instead of having a faery of the week, I’m going to channel my inner children’s librarian and review a beautiful picture book by Phoebe Wahl. I stumbled upon Backyard Fairies when I was looking for books to suit my upcoming story time all about (you guessed it) faeries! I immediately fell in love and wanted to share it with you in case you have a little one in your life you wish to treat to a story. (It counts if the little one is your own inner child.)

This book follows a little girl who believes with all her heart that faeries are all around her: living in magical, natural homes within her woods, playing music and flying through the trees, and even hiding inside her own house. She is constantly on a quest to catch a glimpse of one, and every page shows a magical creature hiding just out of (and sometimes in) plain sight.

p. 8

First and foremost, the thing I love most about this book is the illustrations. I mean, just look at this beautiful scene:

p. 17-18

There are so many distinct types of Fae represented, and they’re each celebrating in their own way during the festivity. There’s dancing, singing, kissing, drinking; you name it. They are portrayed as wild and free, just as faeries should be. They are also shown as living entirely separate lives from us, and I think that’s something important we need to learn. These are not beings who are waiting for us to notice them. They are not clamoring for our attention so their existence can be validated. They live and perish, love and feud, frolic and toil; all of this without our help or knowledge. They only interact with us when they choose to.

Which brings me to my next favorite point about this book. They do choose to play with the little girl in the story, even if she can’t see it at the time. They can be mischievous with their pranks, such as when they braid the hair of the protagonist’s dog when its sleeping. But they can also show their sweet side through actions like making the flower crown for the girl after she is sad for missing their revelries earlier in the night.

And why do they create such a sweet thing for the little girl? Because they like her. They know she believes in them and searches for them. And most importantly, they know she leaves them gifts:

p. 11-12

The surest way to a faery’s heart is to show how much you appreciate them. And how do you show your gratitude and build a strong relationship with these magical creatures? Leave them gifts. Oh, how they looove gifts. Which leads me to this week’s activity:

Activity

Start building your own relationship with the Fae. They are immensely powerful beings and can be very useful in spell work that needs some extra oomph. You can’t just ask them for something the moment you need it; they don’t work that way. That would be like asking a stranger on the street to help you move. The only help they’ll offer you is telling you where you can shove it.

So I recommend you make a connection with them now by leaving them presents. Sweet treats are the best way to go, and they are very fond of fresh berries, milk, and honey. My only suggestion is that you don’t leave anything that can poison local wildlife (e.g., chocolate). You can make these offerings as frequently as you want, and I make mine every full moon, new moon, and Sabbat. Leave these gifts anywhere you feel faeries may gather: in a hollowed-out tree stump in a forest, behind a potted plant in your apartment, or even in your own backyard. (See how I connected that back to the book title?)  

Bonus Activity

Check out more books by Phoebe Wahl. She truly is amazing.

Reference

Wahl, P. (2018). Backyard fairies. Alfred A. Knopf.

It’s About Drive, It’s About Power!

A story by Calista Moon on .

Hello again, my darlings! Welcome back to Tarot Tuesday, where I break down each individual tarot card for our own edification! Today we’ll be looking at the 7th card in the Major Arcana, The Chariot. I know I can be long winded in these deep dives, but this card is straight to the point, so this will be a quick read today. Traditionally a vehicle for war, the Chariot maintains the feel of ambition and drive toward a goal. Action is key to remember with the chariot. You don’t want to fiddle around. The course is plotted, and you can either go forward or turn back, but staying in one place is going to result in failure. 

Upright, The Chariot is a sign of encouragement toward your goal. Stick to your path, regardless of the challenges that arise, and there will be challenges. Remaining confident, assertive, and focused on what is essential to you will lead you to success. Don’t flounder and don’t cut corners or you will not reach the finish line. Use your willpower to lay down boundaries and hold the line as you advance. Display strength and courage now. You have the ability to reach this goal, but you are responsible for your level of determination and perseverance. Build the habits and disciplines necessary to help you succeed.

When The Chariot arrives reversed, it’s time to retreat. You’ve been hell bent toward your goal, but take a moment or five to re-evaluate the path and see if you need to change direction. If you find that you’ve deviated from that which matters most about reaching this goal, realign yourself with your values before changing tact. That deviation may be why you’re facing more obstacles than necessary. Look at what you can and cannot control, and focus on that which IS in your power to change to improve the situation. If you find that you’ve become consumed with detailing every moment of every day, try loosening your grip and letting the days pan out on their own. Remember, that accepting help is not weakness, even if it doesn’t align with exactly how you wanted to proceed. Do not burn yourself out unnecessarily on a solo path. 

Whether you’re meant to plunge ahead through whatever stands in your path, or rein in the horses, the Chariot wants us to look at our dedication, values, and self-discipline. These must all be aligned to find success in our endeavors, whatever they may be. There will be days that motivation is nowhere to be seen, but on those days, we strengthen our resolve and lean on the disciplines we have created to continue forward. Inner strength and willpower are our greatest tools, my darlings. Exercise them regularly and they will remain healthy and ready for battle!

New Moon, Who Dis?

A story by Calista Moon on .

Hello, my darlings! I hope you’re all feeling open to change and possibility as we come up on the New Moon on Wednesday! Since we focused so much on Imbolc last month and the power of manifestation it gave us in conjunction with the new moon, I wanted to have a special post just for the new moon. My working from last month was wildly successful, so this new moon I’m going to cultivate gratitude. I want to manifest a day to day where I see the good things over the bad. Not ignoring the problems, but not letting them consume me either. So let’s talk about the new moon.


In this state, the moon is considered “empty” since there is no light on her. She’s a dark moon, ready and waiting for all the light to fill her up again. She is drawing it to her little by little, making progress every day towards the fullness we’ll see in two weeks’ time. This particular new moon will be in Pisces, my personal sun sign. Pisces is an introspective water sign, with positive aspects of dreaming, imagination, and intuition. Some of the negative aspects include delusions, deceit, and dissociation from physical reality. 


With the moon in Pisces, you may be feeling more sensitive or perceptive of your surroundings, causing you to act passively. While waiting to see what comes next isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it may come from a place of insecurity. If that resonates, don’t hold yourself back now. Open to the potential and opportunities surrounding you. If that doesn’t ring true, spend this period of rest and calm investing in your creative interests or spending time on your spiritual practice. If you don’t have a spiritual practice, maybe now is the time to build one! Whether that’s saying a little prayer before bed, or taking 5 minutes in the middle of the day to meditate and quiet your mind, the imagination of Pisces will greatly influence these areas should you dedicate time to them.


 Like I said, I’m going to be looking for opportunities to exercise mindful gratitude in the coming weeks, and to build that new perspective, my ritual this month will look a little different. Since Pisces is the water sign of the fish, I’m going to be taking a ritual bath. I promise that this wasn’t coordinated with the post that the Master Librarian made for Fae Friday, but it does seem to coincide well! A ritual bath isn’t something I’ve done before, so everything I share in this how-to will be rather experimental, but a lot of the steps remain the same.


1. First we’ll cleanse our workspace. In this case, it will be the bathtub. (If you don’t have a bathtub, that’s okay. You can take a ritual shower too. Or even just take some extra care in a face wash. There’s no wrong way, guys! Seriously!) I would suggest cleaning the tub/shower like normal, and then if you feel so inclined, burn some incense or wipe some moon water around the tub in a clockwise motion. Remember, clockwise for welcoming in energy, counterclockwise for banishing energy. 

2. Let’s dress our workspace. A couple things to keep in mind if you’re a crystal lover like me: First, Selenite represents the moon and is a powerful cleansing and purifying stone. Second, DO NOT get it wet. Keep those shiny beauties on the sink counter or on a shelf nearby. They don’t play well with water. Other stones that represent the new moon are Clear Quartz for grounding, Labradorite, the gem of magic, and Tiger’s Eye, a powerful manifesting stone. If you want to represent Pisces, their stones are Fluorite, Amethyst, and Aquamarine. All of these stones are fine to be near water, so I’m planning to put them on the edge of the tub or on the shower shelves. I also intend to burn some herbs, so I’ll have my cauldron on the counter with Rosemary for cleansing and protection, Mugwort for awakening the third eye and banishing negativity, and Sage (a Pisces related herb) for wisdom and blessings. I’ll also have a couple of candles for my deities and a lighter and charcoal for the cauldron. I’m going to have a cup, some dried sunflower petals, bath salts, and lavender essential oil for the bath as well.

3. Charge and cleanse your vehicle. For this particular ritual, I’m going to be my vehicle, since I am the one seeing the opportunities for gratitude every day. I plan to start drawing the bath, light my candles, and then light my charcoal to burn the herbs in my cauldron. I’ll fan the smoke from the herbs around myself with the following incantation:

I quiet myself with the Black Moon. As she is now empty, so too do I cleanse and open myself to that which I have overlooked. As she fills, so too will I become stronger in the positivity surrounding me.


During this portion I’ll be envisioning the smoke attaching to the dark parts of my mind and body that have been overwhelming my day to day. I envision this as a black sticky tar like substance. The smoke will encapsulate the tar and separate it from my energy. I’m going to put a large amethyst on my third eye in the middle of my brow bone and visualize it opening like an eye to see the objective truth of reality.

4. Bath time! When the bath is full, I will add a few drops of Lavender essential oil for calm, bath salts for cleansing, and sunflower petals for peace and clarity. I like to listen to music in the bath so I’ll be starting some gentle music before adding the last ingredient; me! The cleansing portion of this can look however you like. I will be pouring water over my head and visualizing the water connecting with the smoke covered tar and washing off of my person, safely into the water where it will be cleansed and neutralized. I’ll repeat my intention three times as I do this:

I cleanse myself so that I may see more clearly the world around me and the path before me.

Then I’ll set the cup aside and quietly submerge and meditate in the water, thinking on all of the abundance present in my life. 

5. Closing the ritual. When you’ve finished your bath and are draining the tub, envision all the black tar that didn’t neutralize in the bath going down the drain, back to the earth. Mother earth neutralizes all. (If you took a shower, you can visualize this while you are cleansing instead of seeing the black tar neutralizing in the tub.) Before putting out candles I’ll say: 

Thank you for listening and assisting me in this working. I have all that I need while working towards what I desire to have in my life. I welcome gratitude, joy, and silver linings. I open myself to that which serves my Highest Good and aligns me with my Highest Self. And so it is. And so it is. And so it is. Blessed be.

I’ll thank my deities for joining me and invite them to stay if they wish before extinguishing their candles.

And there you have it! A new moon gratitude ritual bath! Once I’m dried and dressed, I’m going to make a list of things I’m grateful for and post it up in the house so I can see it every day as a reminder. Like I said, this is an experimental spell for me, so let me know what you would change or what you intend to manifest in the comments. Happy manifesting, my darlings!

Dinny Mara

A story by MasterLibrarian on .

As a children’s librarian, I currently have summer reading on the brain. (It’s never too early to plan for warmer weather when you live in Indiana, right?) The theme this year is Oceans of Possibilities, and I’ve spent a ridiculous amount of time looking to hire some poor unfortunate soul to dress as Ariel. With mermaids on the brain, I thought I’d dedicate this Fae Friday to an overlooked mythological creature: the merman. Specifically, the Dinny Mara who reside off the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea. Mermen may have been sexualized in current media, but the Dinny Mara are considered ugly creatures with pig-like eyes, breath like raw fish, and crimson noses from drinking all the brandy found in sunken ships (Bane, 2013). Despite their odd appearance, the Dinny Mara are considered very affable sea creatures who are usually in the mood to help sailors by warning them of impending storms or by providing fish when food supplies are running short on ships (Mer-Gyver, 2013). The Dinny Mara do have a bit of a bad side, though. If you want to avoid making them upset, be sure to never whistle while sailing in their waters. They absolutely detest whistling, and they are known to conjure up strong winds that will blow your boat off its course (Bane, 2013).

Mermaid and Merman
Image via https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MermenLubok.jpg

Activity

A beautiful way to connect to water and the spirits it holds is by taking a ritual bath. Though bodies of water hold danger and must be respected, they are also places of tremendous healing. In a chaotic world that fuels our stress, anxiety, and depression, slipping into the warm embrace of a relaxing bath can help ease the tensions we hold within our bodies on a daily basis.

I would suggest doing this during a new or full moon to help increase the bath’s potency. Just as the moon controls the tides of the Earth, it can also influence the water within your tub and within your body. Before drawing the bath, be thinking of your intentions. Do you want the water to heal your body? Your soul? Do you wish it to form a protective barrier around you? Whatever you desire, be thinking about that throughout your day as you gather the ingredients to add to your bath. These can be anything you feel drawn too (though to be safe, I would Google what you select to ensure it’s safe for human skin). To bring a bit of the ocean into this bath, I suggest Epsom or sea salt (these are also great for aches and pains). Rose petals would be a nice addition for femininity and beauty. Perhaps you are growing an herb garden and have some peppermint leaves or fresh rosemary to add. Essential oils are also a nice addition.

Before your bath, be sure to clean your ritual space. I know that cleaning your bathroom isn’t the most exciting task, but you are worthy of a clean environment. You deserve a peaceful bath free of impurities, and you will feel much more relaxed soaking in a freshly cleaned tub. It is also suggested that you take a short shower before the bath begins so you can rinse your skin of any unwanted sweat, grit, or negativity.

While you draw your bath and add your ingredients, set up the space to be most comfortable for you. Start a playlist of soothing music that feeds your soul. Light some candles to fill the room with soft light. You can surround your tub with your favorite crystals or bring your journal to write down your intentions. Incense would also be a pleasant addition to the atmosphere. Focus on making this time your own.

Next, enjoy your soak! You deserve it. Stay for as long as wish, releasing all your stress and anxiety into the water. Be sure to take note of your entire body as it is submerged; think of all the beautiful things those different body parts do for you in a day. All of you is powerful and beautiful. Focus on the intentions you set before entering the bath and enjoy a quiet meditation.

When you are finished, drain your tub and gather all the leftover ingredients in a bowl. After you are dry and feeling relaxed from your ritual bath, take those ingredients outside and return them to the Earth they were borrowed from. I hope this ritual gives you a restful night’s sleep and a wonderful start to your following day!

References

Bane, T. (2013). Encyclopedia of fairies in world folklore and mythology. McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers.

Mer-Gyver, M. (2013, June 12). Mermen in lore and history. http://mermaidminerals.com/mermaids/2013/mermen-in-lore-and-history

The Lovers; More Than Romance

A story by Calista Moon on .

Happy Tuesday, my darlings! We’ve talked about balancing masculine energy, we’ve talked about balancing feminine energy, and now we talk about where they meet and balance against one another. The Lovers card is the 6th in the Major Arcana and represents harmony, balance, relationships alignment, and oddly enough, love. Who would have guessed! While it generally refers to romantic relationships, the Lovers can also speak to any close relationship where love, respect, and compassion flow.

In a relationship reading, the upright Lovers show that you have a beautiful soul tie connection with a loved one. It’s a sign that if you communicate openly and honestly with those you care about, you can create a healthy vibrant relationship that is built on trust. In a personal reading, it represents figuring out what you stand for and living authentically. Staying true to yourself is paramount in establishing what is, and is not essential to you. Clearly set your values and beliefs about who you want to be in this lifetime and how you want to connect with others, as well as on what level you wish to connect. Choice is the core of this card. You may be facing a moral dilemma, and choosing love will not lead you astray. Love for yourself, others, or the universe at large. Choosing love, choosing to unite forces, even outwardly opposing forces, can create something whole. Accepting the duality of a situation or of differing peoples will let you build a relationship or foundation from which love can flow.

When this reversal appears in a personal reading, it speaks to self-love and respect. Do you accept yourself and the value you have in the world? Are you envious of qualities that others possess? If you can see these desirable qualities in others, remember that you already have them within you. You could also be facing a tough choice with significant consequences, or perhaps you’re punishing yourself for something you’ve done or that you consider yourself responsible for. Look inwardly and align yourself with your Highest Good, no matter how difficult the path may be. Forgive what has come to pass, and focus on specifying your personal beliefs and values now. Aligning yourself with detailed goals will help guide you in making decisions you’re proud of next time. If the Lovers are reversed in a relationship reading, it signifies imbalance in the relationship, whether romantic or not. Communication may feel strained, or perhaps one of you is more emotionally invested than the other. You may know that you love this person unconditionally and that this moment will pass, but be mindful that if the imbalance persists for too long, this can lead to disappointment and insecurity later on. Take the time to address miscommunications or the imbalance of emotional efforts if you wish to maintain a healthy open foundation.

Remember that communication is the core of any strong relationship. Whether you are communicating your ideals to yourself so you stay clear on your path, or making yourself vulnerable with another person by communicating honestly to maintain a healthy relationship, honest communication is always going to lead to resolution. Sometimes we don’t want to talk about the relationship, or look at how far we’ve strayed from our path. It’s hard. It’s scary. It’s tiring. But it is so worth it to know that you have given the top efforts toward yourself and those you care most about. So take a deep breath, sort your thoughts out, and stay authentic to yourself, my darlings! The hard work is the most rewarding!

Hu Hsien

A story by MasterLibrarian on .

It’s time for Fae Friday again, and in honor of the 2022 Beijing Olympics going on right now, I decided to pick a faery of Chinese origin: the Hu Hsien. These are fox fairies known for their shapeshifting, as well as their trickster behavior. This particular faery has a (mostly) infamous reputation in Chinese mythology, and they are considered a bad omen if seen (Bane, 2016). Their fox form is usually described as having nine tails with magical properties, like the ability to start a fire by striking the ground (Bane, 2016). As shapeshifters, they can appear in whatever form they choose (demon, animal, man, etc.), but a beautiful woman seems to be their most prevalent choice. The reason this particular Fae has such a negative connotation is because they tend to use their trickery to lead people astray. The Hu Hsien would attempt to seduce mortals with wealth and power, causing the humans to fall into a life of debauchery and doom (Hamilton, 2021). They are also associated with using their shapeshifting abilities to seek revenge, whether or not this vengeance is actually warranted (Bane, 2016).

Image via https://www.lazada.sg/products/nine-tailed-fox-fairy-maidens-statue-summons-financial-protection-family-fairy-feng-bao-pingan-hu-xian-ling-fox-red-fox-yellow-fox-xuan-fox-ornaments-i1876897577.html

Activity

Ironically, I believe that foxes are a good omen in my own personal life. Foxes are confident and clever; they push boundaries and get into and out of trouble. Fox faeries like the Hu Hsien and other (more likable) fox spirits can become whatever they set their minds to simply because they believe they can. I find something so beautiful about that. Foxes symbolize so much more than just mischievousness; they offer protection, intelligence, luck, beauty, and a carefree outlook on life.

Your task for this week is to get in touch with your own inner fox spirit. Starting as far back as the Tang Dynasty (618 AD), Chinese commoners would leave offerings in their bedchambers for the fox spirits (Huntington, 2003). Food offerings are preferred, especially things like rice and tofu. I believe any type of food offering would be appreciated, however, so give whatever you can. And if you don’t have any food available, I think flattery might also put you in their good graces. A warning here: fox spirits are hungry creatures. They will expect to be fed again, and often.

After you have laid out your offering, put yourself in a state of meditation. Dive deep into yourself and see if you can locate your own fox faery inside your psyche. What characteristics does this fox display that you wish you had in your daily life? Perhaps they are oozing confidence in their own skin. Or maybe their cutting wit and cleverness are something you admire. Use this meditation to take on whatever attribute you desire most. Like the fox, you too can shapeshift to fit your needs. This might not be a physical metamorphosis, but it is a transformation nonetheless. After your communion with the fox spirit is complete, thank them for their guidance. Emerge from your meditation with your newfound character trait, and go about your day as if it has always been a part of you. Have the same assurance that a fox faery has when they slip into another skin with ease. Who knows? If you like this transformation enough, perhaps this new persona will be yours forever.

References:

Bane, T. (2016). Encyclopedia of beasts and monsters in myth, legend and folklore. McFarland.
Hamilton, M. (2021, November 22). Huxian. https://mythopedia.com/topics/huxian
Huntington, R. (2003). Alien kind: Foxes and late imperial Chinese narrative. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

The Hierophant’s Sagely Advice

A story by Calista Moon on .

Happy Tuesday, my divine darlings! Today we continue our journey through masculine energy with the Hierophant, or The High Priest. Sixth in the Major Arcana, he is the counterpart to the High Priestess. Where she is divine feminine, the Hierophant is our divine masculine. He is a sage, filled with spiritual wisdom and a well of knowledge in tradition and institution. This echoes the systematic structure that The Emperor thrives on and uses to resolve issues that land at his feet. The Hierophant is more intellectually inclined and represents a set of spiritual values and beliefs that are often correlated to formal religious structures. He is often associated with the zodiac sign Taurus.

 
(Now this isn’t exactly relevant, but I feel compelled to share that I found issue with this association when I first started my journey. Taurus? Stubborn, loving Taurus is associated with the search for knowledge? That didn’t seem right. I struggled with it, wondering why it wasn’t associated with more intellectually based signs or planets. But eventually I realized that Taurus is ruled by the planet Venus, the planet of love and beauty. Taurus, known for being practical, determined, artistic, and resistant to change in combination with the love and beauty of Venus makes sense when you apply it to tradition and religious beliefs. The core of most organized religion is “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” “Do what ye will and harm none.” These are inherently loving rules. Be kind. Be understanding. Be patient and compassionate. With Venus’ love as the foundation of most spiritual institutions, given time to form tradition and formalize religious practice, these systems become rigid, stubborn, and resistant to change, much like the earth sign Taurus.)


Now back to the task at hand. Upright, The Hierophant encourages you to learn the fundamental principles of your preferred field of study from a trusted source. If you are returning to school, the Hierophant is here to confirm that you are on the right path. If you have already mastered an area of study, he may be asking you to consider becoming a teacher or mentor. Regardless, he says you are following convention and staying within the bounds of a tried and true system. He may also be reaching out if you have been lacking ritual or tradition. He could be calling you to honor familial traditions or sacred rituals that have long laid neglected. He may even be a sign that you are ready to create a regular practice such as daily prayer or meditation. If you have these practices set up in your life, but are feeling disconnected, he can represent membership of an institution. You may find comfort being surrounded by those who have well established beliefs and values with whom you can identify and that will prompt further learning.


Adversely, the reversed Hierophant reminds you that you are your own teacher. All wisdom comes from within. Now is the time to divert from blindly following others and to go against tradition. They may question your choices, but if you are feeling restricted and have lost the sense of freedom that learning brings, now is the time to make your own rules. Challenge the status quo and find whether the beliefs of the many align with your values. Flexibility is necessary in education. As we learn our opinions and perspectives change. When change is stifled, so too is the pursuit of knowledge. Strike out on your own and seek the knowledge that’s being kept from you so that you might draw your own conclusions.


Much like the Emperor, the Hierophant walks a fine line. His is between blind obedience in organized systems and the disobedience of leaving the “approved” realm of knowledge to align with your own values and interests. The needs of the Hierophant can change from day to day. One day we may need community and support, the next we could need the solitary introspection of lessons with which others in the community don’t agree. The wisdom of the Hierophant is that you cannot write off community and institutions. Stay open to all courses of education. Bring in all the knowledge and counsel you can, but at the end of the day, make up your own mind. Don’t lose your curiosity, my darlings. Never stop learning, and know that if and when your outlook changes, it’s not because you were wrong before. It’s because you learned!

A Moon By Many Names

A story by Calista Moon on .

Hello, my darlings! I hope you’ve spent the last few weeks focusing on your manifestations from Imbolc’s new moon, because the sixteenth of February marks the second Full Moon of 2022. This one goes by many names for a lot of different reasons. The first name I heard for February’s full moon was the Bone moon, but in researching for this post, I learned it is also called the Snow moon, the Ice moon, and the Quickening moon.


I always liked the name of the Bone moon, because it makes sense historically. Food reserves were running low around this time of year, and people relied on bone broths and gnawing the last of the meat off of bones for sustenance before spring made her grand entrance. However, we’re a bit removed from that lifestyle these days with 24 hour grocery stores and year round abundance, so I wanted to look into other names that may resonate more with the earth and the lives we lead now. The Snow moon and Ice moon make sense, especially considering that here in the Midwest we just had one to two feet of snow fall in 2 days a couple weeks ago. 


The Quickening moon intrigued me. I like the tie it gives to the cycle of the planet. In my Imbolc post, I talked about how the very first stirrings of life were beginning to move in the earth again, and Imbolc translated means “in the belly”. The Quickening moon echoes this to me. Spring is building beneath the surface. The earth is rooting and waking. She’s preparing, much like a mother who feels her child kick for the first time. She’s not here yet, but she’s coming. Now is the time to strengthen our resolve and patience before change arrives. Take time to be grateful for that which you have now while we wait for the greenery to burst forth and change the world, yet again. 


The Quickening moon is going to be in fiery Leo, so if you want to harness some of that creative, warm-hearted and cheerful lion energy, I would encourage you to safely have a representation of fire on your altar. I intend to make a need fire for burning Rosemary and Chamomile since they’re associated with Leo (one of my favorite ways to work), but if that’s something you’re not comfortable with, don’t worry! You can pull out Sunstone, or Peridot, have a representation of a lion, or the sun on your altar. If those are out of your realm as well, you can simply add gold or orange colors. Remember, it’s less about tools and more about intention. 


Like any other full moon rite, you can focus on what you would like to let go of as the full moon wanes. With Leo being our point of reference for the moon, it could be a good time to release the weaknesses associated with this sign such as arrogance, stubbornness, or inflexibility if you’re feeling that you struggle in those areas. I know I will be releasing an arrogant inflexibility that manifests in needing to control situations this month! So let’s talk about what that release looks like.


I’m going to add this reminder every time I post a ritual or spell working. Every witch’s practice is a little different. This is mine.

1. Cleanse your space. This is the staple beginning point for any ritual or spell. Having a clean workspace helps us make sure our energies don’t get mixed. Just like for the Wolf Moon ritual I posted last month, I like to clear the workspace of old workings or stray items, and wipe the table down with moon water. For the full moon, try wiping in a counterclockwise circle for releasing or banishing. Clockwise can help with manifesting or bringing in new energy. Then I’ll do smoke cleansing of the area with incense. If you feel like you need to clear the entire room, try using a singing bowl to raise the vibration in the room or clear any lingering energy.

2. Dress your workspace. This is my favorite part. I set out my associated items for this working stones, herbs, colors, what have you. The Quickening moon is associated with bones, (shock!) Jasper, Amethyst, and Rose quartz for stones. It’s associated herbs are Myrrh, Sage and Hyssop, and its colors are purple and blue. If you are intending to include items for Leo, its stones are Sunstone, Peridot, and Onyx. Herbs, like I said before, are Rosemary and Chamomile, and it’s colors are gold and orange. I put out candles for my deities and light them to invite them to join me in my working. Since I am going to burn herbs and my intention to release, I am also going to make sure I have salt, rubbing alcohol and my cauldron in the space. I’m also going to have bay leaves and a marker nearby to write my intended release, but this can be done on a piece of paper as well. Personally, I prefer to burn herbs. They smell nicer than paper. I’ll also be keeping my djembe drum nearby for this working.

3. Meditate and connect. This step is crucial for me. I take time to quiet my mind and connect with the earth and the moon. Meditate on that which I want to release, and let the energy flow through me. For this particular moon, I will be using the following incantation:

I drum beneath the Quickening Moon to awaken the Earth beneath me. She who stirs with potential and grants us life, food, and shelter. I awaken my own potential alongside her. I take advantage of my strengths and gratitude in this time of preparation. Mother Earth, hear my drum and awaken with me. 


I will drum on my djembe until I feel ready to do my working. I tend to focus on the energy in my hands the most, though in awakening the earth, I also extend my energetic root to the earth and envision the energy she offers coming up to me for this working.

4. Charge your release vehicle. Once I feel the buzz of energy, I will grab my bay leaf and marker and write that which I want to release on it, visualizing the energy moving this need to control, this inflexibility and stubbornness, out of me and into the leaf through the writing. Sometimes after writing, you may feel that there is more energy to be moved out of you and into your leaf or paper. Take some time to sit with the item in your hand and continue moving energy into it until you feel like you’ve completely eradicated that which you want to release.

5. Burn to release. At this point we’ll set aside the leaf or paper, and bring up our cauldron, salt, and rubbing alcohol to make the need fire. Please remember to never leave your open flames unattended. Need fires burn bright and hot, but don’t burn for very long; only a few minutes. In your cauldron put one tablespoon of salt, and 1/2 to 3/4 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol. Mix this together until the rubbing alcohol has been absorbed and it’s a little gooey in consistency. Then use a long match or a long candle to light. It goes up quick, so use smart fire safety when making your own need fire. Once your need fire is lit, you can add herbs if you like, or just light your leaf or paper that you wrote on. As it burns, visualize the negativity being burned with the vehicle. When the fire goes out, it is done. 

6. After drawing energy from the earth, I take a moment to move any excess energy in my body back down into the earth and then pull up my energetic root. This can help if you wind up with a high energy of mind and body after workings. I usually still have a bit of an aftershock effect, but this step can definitely help in mitigating it.

7. Closing the ritual. Once your need fire goes out, you can do any other workings you have in mind or you can close with the following incantation:

Thank you for listening and assisting in my working. I release that which blocks me from my Highest Good and retain that which keeps me aligned with my Highest Self. And so it is. And so it is. And so it is. Blessed be.

I then thank my deities for joining me, invite them to stay or go as they will, and extinguish their candles. 


And look at us! We did our second full moon spell together! Thanks for joining me, my darlings. I hope removing whatever obstacle you released helps lessen the struggles in your path! If you changed anything or did something different, let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear about everyone’s nuanced differences.