Winter is Still Here

Hey everyone, 

Just a little reminder that we’re still in the depths of winter. It’s ok to need to go at a slower pace. This is a time of regeneration, recuperation and rest. As you take the time to look after yourself with sleep, good food, and all the lovely things that comfort you; your body and soul responds with growth. 

As we travel the Wheel, and get nearer to spring, we will pick up more energy. The Sun will soon melt away, not only the literal ice of the winter; but also our troubles. For it’s easier to tackle things when we have the energy. Work on personal protection, and leave everything else free to evolve in its own sweet way. The spring is a new beginning for everyone, and as we approach it, it will be easier to make the changes we need to.

Have faith in yourself, and your abilities, you’ll feel much better soon! 

Runes:

ᛒ - Berkana 

ᛁ - Isa 

ᛖ - Ehwaz

ᛉ - Elhaz

ᚱ - Raidho

Sacred Symbols: Elhaz of the Elder Futhark

We have a rune in the floor of our hallway. As I sit on the stairs, and put my boots on, my gaze always lands on this shape. It appears to be Elhaz of the Elder futhark, also known as Algiz, Eoih, Elgr. ᛉ

You can’t see it very well in this photograph but the bottom branch of the stave is more - or less - visible depending on the light.

Elhaz is the rune of defence and protection, and I think it is fitting, as the mark is right by our front door. My eyes trace over the symbol each time I sit it in front of it, or pass by it; and in my mind’s eye I imagine protective energy emanating from it. Each time I do this the feeling gets stronger and stronger. I ask it to protect all that dwell in this house.

This symbol asks us not to take this protection for granted (I won’t), but to remain alert and level headed; using intuition where possible and when needed. Your intuition is your protection with this rune.

Do you have any markings in your home that were already there when you arrived? Have you placed runes, or other symbols, in or around your home for protection or other reasons? 

NEXT - Sacred Symbols: Thor's Hammer
NEXT - Simple Magick: Using Eggshells
NEXT - Simple Magick: Magickal Attitudes & Personal Protection 

Sacred Symbols: Runes

Jumping on the @witch.with.me train for Week two of their Divination Month, and we’re talking runes!

Runes are letters that were used to write Germanic languages before the adoption of the Latin alphabet.

The three best known runic alphabets are the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc, the Elder Futhark and the Younger Futhark, a reduced form of the Elder Futhark.

The word “rune” comes from the Germanic root run- meaning “secret” or “whisper” and can also be found in Baltic languages, meaning “speech”.

In Norse mythology the runes are seen as having a divine origin; the poem Hávamál explains that they came from Odin, as a result of self-sacrifice:

“I know that I hung on a windy tree nine long nights, wounded with a spear, dedicated to Odin, myself to myself, on that tree of which no man knows from where its roots run.”

I absolutely adore the runes, but my relationship with them is in its infancy. Our resident expert is @marget.inglis_witchcraft - check out her page for lots of information on them.

Do you use runes in your craft?

NEXT - Sacred Symbols: The Witch's Foot
NEXT - Winter Is Still Here
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Storm Callers 

Simple Magick: Magickal Beliefs & Attitudes

Following on from another post, I want to discuss the attitudes and beliefs I believe crucial for spell casting and ritual.

Integrity:

I believe having integrity is very important as a magickal person. If we do not keep our word and follow through in our ordinary lives, how are we to believe in our words and actions during workings; and follow them through to spellcasting success, in our magickal lives? I believe that if we behave poorly, and without honour, we risk straying into dangerous territory with our magick.

Language:

Our words are magick, which is why it’s called ‘spelling.’ If our words mean nothing - that is, we don’t do the things we promise, or we are careless with them - then how can we successfully apply words and language to our spellcasting, especially in the form of incantations and chants? If there is no truth in the words we speak, and they have a low vibration energetically, then how can we expect to use those words to do our bidding and manifest energetically in our spellwork? Words have their own vibration; pick them, and use them, carefully.

Belief: 

Following on from the Magician’s rule ‘to will’. As well as our intention and determination to create, there has to be absolute belief in ourselves. When I set my mind to something, whether it be magickal or mundane, I have absolute belief in myself, and my ability. There is no space for anything else. If I do fail at something I simply acknowledge the reason why, and believe that next time I will succeed.

Love & Acceptance:

It is important to love ourselves. We are as we are meant to be. We have to embrace the darker half and the lighter half, if indeed we are to be whole. If we understand there’s magick, and we can create it, then we must be magickal, too! Which is surely worthy of love? We are each our own priest or priestess; and to hold ourselves in a divine and sacred way when we are expressing ourselves magickally - ie spellcasting - means we need to love ourselves. Hold your head high, and work your magic.

Runes

Clockwise from Top:

Wunjo - joy, happiness, wellbeing, success

Jera - harvest, reward, natural cycles, fruition, fertility, growth

Mannaz - the self, intelligence, support, humanity

Elhaz - (on its side) divination, health and healing, foster spiritual awareness,  clarity

Middle:

Nauthiz - need, necessity, have patience

NEXT - Simple Magick: The Mind

Fabulous Folklore: Norse Magick

For the ancient Norse peoples magic and ritual were a normal part of everyday life. The Vikings’ beliefs were largely polytheistic, and magic was traditionally seen as a feminine practice. Seeresses and priestesses were highly revered people; they cared for the spiritual and physical needs of the community using herbalism, and they could foretell the future using prophecy, which was especially helpful before a battle.

Seiðr is an old Norse term for sorcery or witchcraft. Seiðr involve spoken incantations or ‘spell-songs’ known as galdr. These were chanted to reach higher states of consciousness; which were used to commune with spirits. One would be seated on a ‘high-seat’ whilst communing with ancestral spirits and the deceased. Trance work was occasionally used to receive messages, as was ‘mound-sitting’; sitting on a burial mound or chamber to communicate directly with the dead.

Freya and other Norse goddesses practised seiðr; it was Freya who taught the art to Odin, who was later admonished by Loki for doing so, as it was considered unmanly. It was uncommon to find men carrying out these practices; male roles were focused on politics, and hunting, farming and trading, and the practice of seiðr by men had connotations of unmanliness or effeminacy.

Various scholars have debated the nature of seiðr, some arguing that it was shamanic in context, involving visionary journeys by its practitioners. Accounts of seiðr made it into sagas and other literary sources, and further evidence has been unearthed by archaeologists and historians. 

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Yule Tree

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Evergreens of Yule

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Land & People 

Witchy Quotes: Gudrun of Mimirsbrunnur - Prayer for Receiving Stewardship of Land

O Great Landvættir beneath my feet,
I call you, I awaken you, I offer you friendship!
In the name of Jord, Green Mother,
I swear I will not exploit this land out of greed.
In the name of Frey, Lord of the Grain,
I swear I will plant each seed with thought and reverence.
In the name of Freya, Lady of Spring,
I swear I will see the beauty of my land as a source of soul’s comfort.
In the name of Nerthus, Mother of the Vanir,
I swear that I will keep the secrets of this land as jewels.
In the name of Skadi, Winter Queen,
I swear I will leave wild places for your children.
In the name of Ullr, Hunter of the Wild,
I swear I will not take too many of your children, even to feed my own.
In the name of Iduna, Orchard-Grower,
I swear I will be grateful for every mouthful this land gives me,
And that I will give back what is given with all due respect and joy.

~ Gudrun of Mimirsbrunnr 

NEXT - Witchy Quotes: Hermann Hesse - Wandering
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Norse Magick
NEXT - Sacred Symbols: Runes