Hellenic Polytheism - Free (and Reliable!) Resources

some people think writers are so eloquent and good with words, but the reality is that we can sit there with our fingers on the keyboard going, “what’s the word for non-sunlight lighting? Like, fake lighting?” and for ten minutes, all our brain will supply is “unofficial”, and we know that’s not the right word, but it’s the only word we can come up with…until finally it’s like our face got smashed into a brick wall and we remember the word we want is “artificial”.

Im sorry 😭 I knew a character’s name started with A and their last name was Crowley and I just assumed it was him

I now know that his last name was a reference to aleister crowley

It's 2023, Google is free, and there are people who think I'm referring to a character from a TV series when I mention Aleister Crowley.

Google Docs

Video Game Opinion Survey

For research for my "Writing for Public Relations" class.

do you like video games and want to help an overachieving college student put way too much effort into their semester project?

well, do i have the opportunity for you! i'm trying to get more responses for this survey i made for my marketing class so i have a sample size that's actually, you know, useful. if you have a spare minute, i'd love if you could fill it out!

Your transcript is nice, why were you nervous?

does Loki count as a chthonic god? because I've been burning incense for him as an offering, but I've read it somewhere (I can't remember where) that incense isn't a good offering for chthonic gods. what are your thoughts on the topic?

These take me forever to write up so have an audio clip of me prattling instead:

(Apologies for stumbling over my thoughts and for the audio quality. People are welcome to transcribe!)

A man and his wife are travelling through the United States, when they notice a sign telling them that the town they are entering is called Kissimee.

They quickly start arguing about the correct way to pronounce it. “KISS-a-me,” says the husband. “That’s wrong,” says the wife, “The right way to say it is kis-A-me.” “Not necessarily,” says the husband, “It could also be kis-a-ME.”

Their argument continues as they enter town, and decide to stop to buy some lunch. After finding a suitable parking place, they head inside to the front counter to order their food.

The husband decides that this is a good opportunity to be proven right, and settle the argument with his wife. “Excuse me,” he says to the waitress at the counter, “My wife and I can’t figure out the right way to pronounce the name of this place. Will you please tell us where we are, and say it slowly so that we get it right?”

“Sure,” says the waitress. “Buuurrrgerrrr Kiiinnnnggg.”

Here is a free pdf of the players handbook

Here is a free pdf of xanathars guide to everything

Here is a free pdf to monsters manual

Here is a free pdf to tashas cauldron of everything

Here is a free pdf to dungeon master’s guide

Here is a free pdf to volo’s guide to monsters

Here is a free pdf of mordenkainen’s tomb of foes

For all your dnd purposes

Actual Things I have studied over the years that would make me an excellent addition to your mystery-solving gang

Related to my Skill Monkey Character Trope post

Learning how to throw my voice (Ventriloquist style)

Overtone Singing

How to properly feed and care for Crows and Corvids so you can build your own guild of feathered trinket-loving thieves

Actual Witchcraft (I’m literally a follower of Apollo. Like, actual Apollo)

Lock-picking (accidentally, it’s a long story)

Playing the Didgeridoo and Ukulele

Color Theory and Lighting

The culture and biology of fictional creatures

Vampire lore

How to do the entire Thriller Dance (They made us learn it in Elementary School for some reason. We didn’t even perform it or anything, it was just a semester in gym class for no reason)

Pendulum, Tarot, Osteomancy (Bone Divination), and Bibliomancy Divination

Every Renaissance Fair skill known to man, from metalsmithing to jousting

Magical and Alchemic symbols

The Fair Folk and all the arbitrary rules for interacting with them

Geology and the science of Gemstones for some reason

Tidbits about shows and movies I’ve literally never watched

Medieval Armor from around the world

Herbalism and Home Remedies

The cultural and spiritual Symbolism for almost anything

Wayyy to much lore from my favorite series

Basic etymology, like the meaning of names and such

Strange Historical facts, like Yasuke, the first Black Samurai

And too many other things

@beenovel, @cryptichobbit, @claraofthepen, @blueberryrock

⛈️ Weather Lore ⛈️

Part I

Weather patterns have been noted and studied for hundreds of thousands of years. Meteorology has transformed from folk lore and observation to a well-understood science. However, Weather Lore remains an ingrained characteristic of many cultures. Some longstanding beliefs about weather patterns and weather predictions include:

1. “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky in morning, sailor’s warning.”

This popular nautical saying is used to predict poor sailing weather. A red sunset indicates that sunlight light from the west is shining through the clouds to color the sky. This means that precipitation-heavy clouds are not present. A red sky at dawn, however, can be the result of light reflecting off of cirrus ice crystals in the clouds in the upper atmosphere, signalling incoming precipitation.

2. “Sharper the blast, sooner ’tis past.”

This old piece of weather lore refers to cold fronts. The belief dictates that the colder and/or harsher a front comes in, the sooner it will end.

3. “If there is a halo round the sun or moon, then we can all expect rain quite soon.”

This is a pervasive saying that is regarded as accurate. Meteorologists have determined that the so-called “halo” seen around the moon and/or sun is caused by light reflection off of cirrus ice crystals in high atmosphere clouds. Cirrus clouds are often the first sign of oncoming precipitation.

4. “If in the sky you see cliffs and towers, it won’t be long before there is a shower.”

Vertical clouds, referred to as “cliffs and towers” in the saying, are a sign of unsettled air in the atmosphere. Unsettled air is a sign of imminent active weather.

5. “If woolly fleeces bestow the heavenly way, be sure no rain will come today.” 

This saying refers to fluffy white (cumulus) clouds in the sky. Generally, when cumulus clouds are present it is a sign of calm weather. Hence the nickname for cumulus clouds; “fair-weather clouds.”

6. “When the icy wind warms, expect snow storms.”

The arrival of warm air during the winter can signal a low pressure system, which often brings active cold precipitation.

❣️

My favorite wind spell

In my experience, nothing feels quite as good as testing your control over your craft quite like a wind spell. The following is my favorite incantation to use.

Wind spell

Move your hand in a circle, palm downward.

Chant: “Wind, Wind, hear my plea,

Dance across the land and sea.”

Fog in Witchcraft

Fog is often a forgotten aspect of weather that seems to get passed over when it comes to witchcraft despite it having some powerful and noble uses as well as a history in the craft. Though not all areas get fog commonly, many do, almost every morning depending on the time of year. Allow this small post to perhaps be some help to those who have interest in harnessing fog into their craft.

History and Fiction

As stated above, in many literary sources witches of both historical senses and fiction harness fog as a powerful towel. In popular lore, witches were said to summon fogs to roll across the lands to protect fleeing mothers and children during wars to hide from invading soldiers, though this lore is hard to pin point down, it is often said to come from Celtic and Gaelic origins.

In other tales witches would summon fog to protect traveling royalty or heroes who are on a quest to reach lands that may be unfriendly to their arrival. At some other times fog was related to almost like the “witching hour” it meant it was a time that the supernatural were out and witches were casting their spells.

Fog as a Liminal Space

What is a liminal space? To put it simply it means a “transforming space” or a place that the Veil or energies are thinner and overcross one another. Often they are associated with spirit work, energy work, astral work and over all witchcraft. Some call these places or areas “places where one area and time stop and another begins”.

In many cases, places that are covered by fog often are said to be liminal spaces during this time, due to the surrealism and energy fog brings with it. It turns something mundane looking to mysterious, confusing and even to some creepy. Its concealing nature brings the feeling of the unknown and the unseen.

Traditionally and theatrically fog is often used to represent the Veil between worlds and afterlife, often used in settings of literature and movies by covering graveyards before something supernatural happens or by filling the streets at night when magick is about to begin. Often when many people who don’t practice the craft think of supernatural energies and the Veil they imagine a foggy night or a wall of fog, this imagery is for a reason.

Often, fog is seen as an important tool for spirit work both fictionally and modernly due to its relations of being a liminal space and therefore seen as easier to contact spirits with the barriers weaker when it arrives.

Correpsondences and Uses of Fog

Generally Fog Corresponds with - The Veil, Spirits/Spirit Work, The Hidden, The Unseen, Invisibility, Protection, Obstruction, Curses/Hexes, Warding, Meditation, Astral Work, Fear, Patience, Calmness, Serenity, Peace and Travel

Often times, fog is useful to one when they wish to cast or enchant items for invisibility and protection during travel, often necklaces or items enchanted while out in the fog. Others will take the opportunity of using fog for spiritual communication, past life work and astral projection, taking advantage of the weakened barriers and Veil for these purposes.

Associations

Crystals - Clear Quartz, Smokey Quartz, Thunder Egg

Herbs/Plants - Cotton, Broom, Saffron, Thistle/Thicket, Wheat, Pansy

Colors - Gray, Silver, Black, Blue

Other Tools - Steam, Incense/Smoke, Wands, Besoms, Branches, Storm Water/Rain Water, Ash, Dust, Mirrors and Gray Candles

Fog Summoning

There are many ways said to summon fog. A few of those ways will be listed below

Method 1: Using storm water boiling it until it has thick amounts of steam rising from it, carefully move it outside or to a window (if one is not already outside) and offer it to the sky. Many will chant or call to the weather or winds to bring them fog much like the steam of the pot.

Method 2: In water on a burner add storm or sea salt and a sigil on paper for fog. Close the lid to it and wait until it is boiling. Remove the lid and allow the steam to rise. Here chant if desired for fog or let the water boil until it is nearly gone.

Method 3: With a besom go outside if it is a private space and much like wind summoning call to the fog to come to you, using your tool as an extension of yourself and your energy. Remember to ask it to come rather than demand for it.

Method 4: Using storm water or rain water, ash and a jar fill it with these ingredients and shake it thoroughly to summon fog. Be sure to center yourself and focus on your energy to put into this fog summoning jar. Leave it outside or in a window afterwards for further effects.

Fog Water

Fog water is a tool that can be used for witchcraft when fog is not rightfully available or in place of rain water/storm water in fog summoning. To capture fog water is pretty easy though you must be able to accept small amounts.

First you will need either very fine fabric or mesh or screen similar to what can be found in windows or for fishing nets. Tight it taunt onto something to hold it up like rods or sticks. Make sure it is held up at least a couple feet above the ground and somewhere the fog will roll through it. Base it off of how high the fog in your area tends to be, if you have low rolling fogs it may work better lower to the ground. After or during a time of fog you should be able to see droplets of water forming on it, you may use a jar tied below a corner of it to capture these drops or you can collect it yourself during/after they have formed. You can build much larger versions of this for potable water gathering and tutorials on this can be found easily online if that may interest you.

Store your fog water in glass containers and in the fridge, be sure to date and label to ensure you are using fresh water. Do not drink this water unless you set up the proper potable filtration systems.

Diffusing Fog

Often witches will find themselves tasked with fog being a hindrance rather than helpful. Its a dangerous weather condition especially for those on the road or at sea. 

Historically, sea witches would be asked to disperse fog for the safe return and port of sea vessels and the men upon them. Though it is difficult to find exact spells from these times, often broom or heather is used by facing the sea with it in hand and waving at the fog, putting energy into it and telling the fog to disperse. Other times it is said using a broom/besom to summon winds to remove the fog was a preferred way.

Other options for witches is to sing a fog removal song and often dance accompanied with it and with either a besom or wand in hand, direct the fog to travel away from you and somewhere else. Other witches have found success in praying and working with weather deities to move the fog back to the sky or to lead it away.

Omens, Superstitions and Dreams

In omens it is said fog represents blindness. It blocks our ability to see clearly and makes normal directions seem impossible to follow. It can go hand in hand with confusion and the feelings of anxiety. When fog appears in visions it is to be seen often as a warning that things are about to get just that - foggy.

Though it is also related to shrouding oneself, it may be a sign that it is time for you to create a fog about yourself and to build up those wards.

Superstition wise it was believed fog would steal people, often due to people getting lost in it and vanishing, because of this fog is seen as a warning of loss to come. Some cultures even associate it directly with death.

In dreams fog holds many meanings. If the fog is throughout the whole dream then it is a warning of deception. Someone is deceiving you and deep down you know it to be true. If you dream of being wrapped in fog and it is too thick to see through or escape it is often related to feeling that someone has stolen something from you. Dreaming of wandering in a foggy environment is a warning of dangers to come, keep on your toes. If you escape fog it means you are avoiding danger or theft.

If one dreams of fog just being around their head, eyes or following above them like a halo/hat, then it is an indication that you are lying to yourself. You are refusing to let yourself see the truth. It can also be a play of the saying “its all in your head” meaning you are overthinking a problem.

If you dream of fog and snow together, it is often said to be a dream related to sickness soon to come. Others say its a sign that illness of the mind and emotions is going to creep its way in.

If one dreams of their home, bedroom or apartment being filled with fog it is often taken as a bad omen and sign that a large family drama is soon to come.

Seeing a figure in fog in dreams can have different meanings. If it is someone that you know it means they may be hiding things from you or that you are going to have a fight with them in the near future. It can also indicate if you are in the fog and you see them outside of the fog, that you are guilty about something you did to them. Seeing a stranger in the fog or a shadow you do not recognize is often due to anxiety or fear in one’s waking life. They represent the unknown and the future to come, which you are currently stressed over. Animals in the fog can represent both anxieties and fears looming about you but also can represent that you a repressing your own desires and natural wants.

If you see fog rolling in from the distance of a dream it means something is looming in your waking life. If fog starts descending down on you in a dream from the sky to the ground, many take this as a bad omen for travel especially by air or sea. Historically it is said a foggy sea in your dreams means a shipwreck in your future. Though fog over a lake or river means dream-like wonder and is said that young women who dream of this can expect a mysterious stranger in their future.

Fog and Different Types of Witchcraft

Sea Witchcraft - Fog is often seen as more of a hindrance in ocean magick, especially historically when fog at sea or port could be rather hazardous and bring tragedy to many. Due to this, fog in sea magick is often used for more negative tasks like cursing.

Storm Magick - Fog is often seen more in the light of a less harsh type of weather compared to storms or rain but still one that can be used to harness energy. The energy of foggy weather is much more mysterious, calm and hazy than that of storm or wind. It can be used for such purposes.

Death Magick - Fog is often related to the barriers of the other-side as some may say, so many death witches will take advantage of fog to use it to communicate and commune with the dead. Many report that it can make using tools of communication like Ouija boards and pendulums easier.

Divination - Often fog can be seen as a hindrance for divination though it is often deeply routed with self discovery and past life work. Many will take the opportunity of foggy weather to explore their past lives and the history of themselves and others.