[caption id="attachment_884" align="alignleft" width="340"] "Los Caprichos" print by Francisco Goya from 1799. As depicted here, the broom is most constantly thought of as a magical vehicle that carries the witch or the wizard to the sabbath or to a metaphysical world.[/caption] The besom or the witch's
[caption id="attachment_872" align="alignleft" width="340"] Sigil made by Radiana Piț on the cover of her book, Yearning for Spirit. Her native totem, the Crow-Raven and that of her Daco-Thracian ancestors, the Wolf, are depicted together in order to represent the symbiotic relationship between the two totems
[caption id="attachment_836" align="alignleft" width="340"] Johannes Praetorius - A German writer and historian shows in his work "Witches' Sabbath" from 1688[/caption] In 1799 the German mason, member of the illuminati, natural scientist and first and foremost: poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote the ballad "Die erste Walpurgisnacht"
[caption id="attachment_845" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] "Witches near Treves", engraving from about 1600. Many of the depictions of the witches' flight to the Sabbath were inspired by the confessions of accused witches, who shared their visions and sensations of flight with the accusers. These visions and sensations
[caption id="attachment_782" align="alignleft" width="340"] Promotional photo of Florence Farr from the Abbey Theatre, also known as the National Theatre of Ireland. One of the leading Irish playwrights at the Abbey was Florence's friend and fellow Golden Dawn member, William Butler Yeats. Like Yeats, Florence would
[caption id="attachment_649" align="alignleft" width="340"] Just like most cultures, Romanian tradition reveres long and healthy hair as a sign of beauty and fertility and some even consider it the "external soul" of a person. It is believed that washing the hair with tonic waters from sacred
[caption id="attachment_740" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Bone magick: the usage of bones is helpful for necromancy and animal magick, as they help to build a bridge from the earthly plane, thus facilitating your communication with ancestors or spirit animals. It also allows you much easier to draw
[caption id="attachment_638" align="alignleft" width="340"] Nettles are associated with the war god and fire lord Mars, which is why it is also known in Romanian folklore as "the weed of Marţ". Its resistance to cold inspired the Romanian people since the oldest of times to consume
[caption id="attachment_713" align="alignleft" width="340"] The keeper of secrets and mysteries, the Crow/Raven is a totem that often works as a messenger of the gods and guide into the unknown.Photo: Flickr.[/caption] In the introductory article: Totems, familiars, power animals and where to find them, I've mentioned that
[caption id="attachment_589" align="alignleft" width="340"] Cord or Knot Magic is traditional to many cultures and various forms of witchcraft. However, the principle is always the same: binding your will into a series of knots and then releasing its power using different methods, such as by untying
[caption id="attachment_652" align="alignleft" width="340"] Animal magick is strongly related to ancestral magick, at least in my system. Spirit animals can work as messengers and guardians during ancestral communion. The use of animal bones acquired ethically can be helpful for ancestor work, especially if they are
[caption id="attachment_668" align="alignleft" width="340"] Aleister Crowley posing as Magus with the Stelae of Revealing and magical weapons: wand, chalice, sword and the Book of the Law – the Liber Al Vel Legis[/caption]On March 16, 1904, in the King's Chamber at the Great Pyramid of Giza,
[caption id="attachment_624" align="alignleft" width="340"] While the health benefits of the stinging nettle have been scientifically proven in modern times, this plant has been used in herbal medicine, especially by witches, for thousands of years. Photo: Flickr CC.[/caption] We began our journey into the world of plants
[caption id="attachment_601" align="alignleft" width="340"] Known as the "weed of Mars" in Romanian folklore, the Stinging Nettle is considered as the "fire in the garden", not only because of the burning sensation caused by its sting, but also because of its purging powers. Photo: Ray Wewerka.[/caption] The
[caption id="attachment_562" align="alignleft" width="340"] Portrait of Emanuel Swedenborg by Carl Frederik von Breda; made sometime before 1818. Swedenborg was considered mad, but brilliant by many, especially for his common-sense view that God is Divine Goodness who is neither vindictive nor in need of Christ's atonement
[caption id="attachment_453" align="alignleft" width="340"] Fox, the witty keeper of the flame, the guide of those lost in the dark, is a teacher who challenges one's adaptability, wit, and responsiveness. Photo: Flickr.[/caption] After the introduction of Totems, familiars, power animals and where to find them, we have
[caption id="attachment_542" align="alignleft" width="340"] Portrait of alchemist Nicolas Flamel by the French painter Balthazar Montcornet from the 17th century. The French scribe is the epitome of Alchemy and his legendary possession of the Philosopher's stone appears in esoteric literature such as the alchemical novel »The
[caption id="attachment_505" align="alignleft" width="340"] Sir Isaac Newton • Portrait by Godfrey Kneller (painted in 1689). Location: Institute for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge[/caption] Most people nowadays think about the apple, the tree and the law of gravitation when the name »Newton« is mentioned. But, let's start
[caption id="attachment_307" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] 28 films made it into the list of finalists at the First Hermetic Film Festival 2018 in Venice[/caption] Not less than 28 films, most of them with open, some with more concealed hermetic or esoteric messages or symbols, were shown about two
[caption id="attachment_445" align="alignleft" width="340"] Portrait of Radiana Piț and the Owl by artist Elena Cercel, who was also Radiana's visual arts teacher at the school she attended. In this context, the owl is not only a feminine symbol of mystery and wisdom but also a
[caption id="attachment_434" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Photo of Radiana Piț during a communion with the natural world. The animal bones she uses are acquired ethically, often times found in the Transylvanian forests where she lives. She uses them mainly to honor the ancient spirit animals and also
[caption id="attachment_298" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Witch Nettle among the guests at the Hermetic Film Festival 2018 in Venice[/caption] Last week, on the 1st and 2nd of March 2018 the First International Hermetic Film Festival, for short FHIFF 2018, took place in Italy. Overall, 28 films in 10
When we've learnt about the love god, Dragobete, and his celebration on the 24th of February, I mentioned his beloved mother, Baba Dochia. She is a very endearing presence in the Romanian pantheon who is surrounded by captivating legends. As a child, I was fascinated
As we've come to learn, the ending of February and the beginning of March is a time of celebration for the Romanian people. They celebrate the new agrarian year through old traditions such as the Week of Sântoader's Horses, Dragobete, and now Mărţişor - little
[caption id="attachment_242" align="alignleft" width="340"] Moina Mathers - The high priestress behind the Golden Dawn[/caption] Moina Mathers is often seen as the "strong woman behind the great man". The unconventional beauty of her time, with her unruly dark-brown hair, blue eyes, and slightly dark skin complexion, who
Next on our journey in Romanian lore is a wonderful celebration of love that I am happy to be able to share with you. It's a very endearing celebration that has always fascinated me and that I have always enjoyed myself. And no, it's not
[caption id="attachment_209" align="alignleft" width="340"] The Great Work - Illustration in Dom Pernety's "Dictionnaire Mytho Hermétique", a seldom remembered book with enormous impact on alchemy and hermetic philosophy[/caption] “Adepts do not run after gold and silver” wrote French polymath Dom Pernety more than 300 years ago, referring to
[caption id="attachment_87" align="aligncenter" width="819"] Frater Ifpas - on Instagram "this_occult_life" in altar robe[/caption] I first noticed Frater Ipafs one year ago on Instagram and started following his quite unique feed, which gives rare and open insights into his strict discipline, rigorous studies and practice of ceremonial
[caption id="attachment_157" align="alignleft" width="340"] Agrippa von Nettesheim, born in Nettesheim near Cologne. Renaissance man, magician and often considered to be the historical Dr. Faust after his death in 18 February 1535[/caption] The Witch's Advocate, Cornelius Agrippa was on a mission to bind man back to the First
[caption id="attachment_113" align="alignleft" width="290"] Giordano Bruno, the Benedictine monk found himself in conflict for his heretic views early on: at the age of 19 he removed the icons from his cell and opposed the adoration of Virgin Mary. The waters calmed down due to the
