Magic in the Mist (Amyla)

I know. I haven't been around much. Honestly not doing so well, but still plodding onward. Everything's just been... a lot.

Hope everyone's been weathering the shitstorm.

YouTube video by FlorenceMachineVEVO Florence + The Machine - Everybody Scream (Official Music Video)

New Florence video dropped and it's making me feel some kind of way (feral. the way is feral)
youtu.be/03iBgkXb1EE?...

A planting of trees is not a wood. For a wood tangles the soul when it is walked. A wood offers the chance to become lost, to discover some new wonder every time you enter it. Woods not only have spirits, they are spirits. Recognising this tutelary truth is a path to wisdom. – #CLNolan #Woods

a blue and pink striped flag flies in the wind ALT: a blue and pink striped flag flies in the wind

Just a quick reminder, trans-women are women, trans-men are men, JK Rowling is a bigoted hack and trans-rights are human rights.

That is all.

Work in progress of a digital painting featuring John Constantine as portrayed by Mat Ryan. John is a blond man wearing a white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a loosened red tie. His arms are crossed and his expression is somewhat surly as he sits at a table and glares.

Did a little work on the Constantine piece today. Still have quite a bit left to do, but it's coming together! Working in Rebelle 5. Still recording the timelapse, so part 2 of that video will be coming out after I finish the painting.

Some other favorite examples: the seashore, the edge of a cliff, the way two trees in a forest sometimes seem to arc into each other to form a natural gate, twilight/dawn, a crossroads. This is very Western-society-centric but I also view the time between Christmas and New Year's to be very liminal.

I'm feelin that marathon art session from yesterday too. I guess the burnout is gone now. Just need to be careful and keep things balanced so it doesn't come back!

It feels so good to paint again without it feeling like pulling teeth.

You were never meant to play small. You’re not made of glass—you’re forged of bone, blood, fire. Quit whining. Cast. Cut. Clear. Hex. Heal. Whatever it is—do. The #Witch who hesitates dulls their own blade. #witchmadness #noteverywitch #gaywitch #witches #pagansky

The magic that persists - in both personal praxis and the wider body of witchery - is the magic that works. You may think candle magic or charm bags twee, but their efficacy means they will outlast you and still be part of a living current of folk magic in a hundred years. - #EmilyCBanting #WitchSky

I think too often in these past few years I've been thinking of art in terms of "productivity" and not inspiration. Not an expression of my soul. No wonder the well ran dry. Burnout is a bitch.

Sometimes it's good to just stop trying to make something *good* and just Create Something. I forget that too often. I'm too hard on myself and it drains the joy out of the act of creation.

I did a little painting tonight. I didn't try to force it to be good. Didn't spend hours digging up references-- didn't use a reference at all. Didn't even really have a plan. Or a sketch. I just dove in and created and it felt good.

Closeted witches:

How do u strike the balance between being true to yourself, embracing your power, & being bold in your truth with the need to keep secret in a living situation or overall location where being *anything* other than the accepted majority could be devastatingly dangerous? #witchsky

So I'm holding that creative spark close until I can give it sufficient energy and action.

Still immersed in liminal chaos and... boxes. So many boxes.

But I feel the creativity re-igniting from within.

I want to create art again. I just don't have much extra energy; it's all going to unpacking and getting things set up and functional.

Love this so much, and it echoes what I've been feeling lately for my own path. 💓

Today’s spell: “Each moment is a chance to become more of who I truly am.” Say it. Believe it. Let it echo through the bones of your craft. The #Witch is not static. The Witch is becoming. #witches #dailywitch #spellcraft

Tiny, affectionate Void 💓

I've been reconnecting with Hekate lately and She seems to be encouraging that. When we get a stove I'll be making a meal with Her in mind.

I have done the "shared sensory experience" thing once and it seemed to go over well with the entity I was doing it for. I suppose it depends on the being in question as well.

Ooh, I'll keep that in mind for when we're settled in and hopefully more financially secure. :D

I just realized I could probably use a cinnamon stick for this without the side effect of grittiness. A bit too pricey for everyday use, but every now and again is doable.

I've remedied this by putting the cinnamon in the filter but I'm not the only one who drinks the coffee, and nobody else likes it. So I'll just have to remember not to drink to the last drop. Sorry, Folger's!

Only problem with stirring cinnamon into your coffee for a little magical boost in the mornings? It never dissolves properly and you sometimes get a gritty mouthful if you drain your cup too much.

Still, though, love the flavor of cinnamon coffee!

#witchsky

Eating offerings made to deities and spirits, as a means of sharing sensory experience: does anyone have any perspective or experiences to share regarding this practice? #witchsky

I also want to get back to building my relationship with the nature spirits in the area, and focusing on some deity work. That sort of thing can be a little tricky when you're closeted even in the household (offerings can be... complicated) but there are workarounds.

I've been trying to step back into my witchery again since being back, just a little bit. Mostly that has taken the form of cleansing, warding, and calling in the sort of energies I want in my space. When I have my kitchen fully set up and functional again I'll get back to doing some cooking magic.