Cat_LeFey

Cat_LeFey, 3 days ago to random

I run a poll each Friday for our little fedi Pagan community. Many of you have answered and commented on these polls, and it's something I look forward to each week. I love talking about my religion, and hearing all of the interesting and varied ways people do paganism.

In fact, the purpose of my polls is to not have a consensus. I like to show how everyone is a little different, and there's nothing that is universally practiced by all. I also like to showcase the awesome acceptance in our community of the different flavors of paganism.

Which is why it's annoying when someone comes along who isn't even pagan, to argue semantics and bog down the comments section. It goes against everything I'm working toward here. I really wish I had an option to delete comments from my posts, because it basically ruins the whole thread.

Cat_LeFey, 3 days ago (edited 2 minutes ago) to paganism

Hail Freya, it's Friday!

For this week's #FridayPaganPoll I'm wondering how many Pagans here are into astrology.

How much astrology do you know?

#Pagan #Witch #Astrology

Cat_LeFey, 5 days ago to random

It's Pride Month, here's my obligatory gay post: 🌈

Coming out isn't something you do just once, it's something you have to keep doing again and again throughout your life.

Sometimes you choose the right moment,
and sometimes you just blurt it out.
Sometimes it doesn't go well,
and sometimes people surprise you.
Sometimes you choose not to because the environment is unsafe,
and sometimes you’re feeling brave enough to do it anyway.

The point is that you choose.
When and how to come out is your choice, and only yours.

Cat_LeFey, 4 days ago to paganism

I repainted this chime candle holder I made as a devotional to Janus. It was my first 3D printed project, years ago. I use it every morning when I do my tarot reading, as all my tarot decks are dedicated to the God of Omens.

The structure is based on the Temple of Janus in Rome, and the bottom is from a Roman coin minted around 60CE. The phrase translates to “Peace of the Roman people on land and sea, the Gates of Janus are closed.”

These were actual gates throughout Rome that were left open to symbolically receive soldiers home from battle, and would be closed during times of peace. This only happened twice in Rome's history.

#Pagan #Janus #Polytheism

Cat_LeFey, 7 days ago to paganism

Like any other niche religious movement, paganism attracts cult personalities. Any leadership position is going to be appealing to these narcissists, and our community is not immune. Learning how to spot cult groups should be included in any basic 101 education for new Pagans.

The first lesson is coming to terms with the fact that intelligent, reasonable people get drawn into cults. It's not weak or gullible people that fall for it, it can happen to anyone. It can happen to you. Accepting that is the first step toward protecting yourself. Here's a link to a good list of red/green flags to look out for:

https://culteducation.com/warningsigns.html

#Pagan #Paganism

Cat_LeFey, 7 days ago to random

I was out foraging spell ingredients all day today, as the spring flowers are closing and the summer ones are budding. It's these transitional times that are best, because some things need to be picked before they flower, and some after. Wildcrafting means getting while the getting is good

One thing on my list was Orris Root (Iris), for this protection oil I'm working on, so I went to one of the local lakes where I've seen them. There were absolutely tons of them! I only dig up the yellow ones though, because they're more invasive so I don't feel bad.

#HedgeWitch

Cat_LeFey, 9 days ago to Haiku

Cleaning the basement,
an ode to obsolete tech;
all we throw away.

#haiku

Cat_LeFey, 10 days ago (edited 9 days ago) to paganism

It's Freya's Day!
Today's #FridayPaganPoll is a question for Pagan converts:

How far into your study of paganism did you feel “officially” Pagan, and start labeling yourself as one?

#Pagan #Witch

Cat_LeFey, 11 days ago to random

Eastern Phoebe update:

The 5 little chicks seem happy and healthy cuz they hardly make any noise. It sounds like soft little grunting cheeps when they're hungry, but they mostly just sleep.

Cat_LeFey, 12 days ago to paganism

If I could get rid of one concept I see in modern paganism, it would be the erroneous idea that older = better. Humans have proven many times over that just because something has been done a certain way for centuries, doesn't mean it's the “right” way to do it.

Of course, that doesn't mean it's the wrong way to do it, either. Each practice should be evaluated on its own merit, and whether or not it works for the people that we are now, in this era.

#Paganism

Cat_LeFey, 16 days ago to random

I cannot believe there are still witches out there claiming to be from a long line of “hereditary” witches since before Gerald Gardener. Cringe. I really hope none of the kids are falling for this.

The witch-cult hypothesis has been robustly studied for nearly a century, and has been thoroughly disproven. This is common knowledge within the Pagan community.

There were many growing pains along the way, but now, we've accepted that we are re-creating and re-building paganism inspired by the ancients, not continuing any hidden unbroken traditions. And that's okay. It’s actually really special, being the first in your line, and creating traditions that might last into future generations.

#Witchcraft #Wicca

Cat_LeFey, 13 days ago to random

This strange looking flower is called a Jack in the Pulpit. It's one of Michigan's native orchids, and the only ‘carnivorous’ flower that grows here.

This pair has popped up in my forest for the past several years now. They are extremely long-lived for perennials, up to 25 years.

No touching! The calcium oxalate crystals in all parts of the plant are like tiny shards of glass.

Close up of a Jack in the Pulpit flower, aimed to look downward into the center of the striped, cup-like blossom.

Cat_LeFey, 14 days ago to Bloomscrolling

I love the sherbert colors of this Lantana!

Sometimes called ‘shrub verbena,’ it's not edible like vervain tho. Only a bit toxic to humans, but very dangerous for grazing animals, which is why it's behind the fence in my #PoisonGarden

#bloomscrolling

Cat_LeFey, 17 days ago (edited 16 days ago) to paganism

It's Freya's day! Time for a #FridayPaganPoll

When performing a ritual with prescribed words, how do you usually remember them?

#Pagan #Witch