Some Fae Facts From Lore

Leonora Carrington, from The Hearing Trumpet

Divination Methods:

Pendulum Board + Pendulum

A small, often circular board that can be used in divination along with a pendulum itself. A  person will hold the board and ask a question, and whichever word the pendulum swings over is the answer. 1. Done some centering and cleansing. You can start by meditating 2. Get clear on your question. Opt for close-ended very specific yes-or-no questions. Avoid “Should I….?” or complex questions.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/pendulum-board

𝐋𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚

What is Lupercalia?

Celebrated on February 13th - February 15th, Lupercalia was an ancient Roman holiday dedicated to the god Faunus, the wild horned spirit of nature, and the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. The festival is believed to have far more ancient origins than its association with these mythical figures, likely stemming from earlier fertility rites and purification ceremonies.

The name of the festival, Lupercalia, is derived from the Latin word lupus (wolf), tying it to the legend of the she-wolf who rescued and nursed Romulus and Remus in the cave known as the Lupercal. This cave, located on Palatine Hill, became the heart of the festival’s rituals, emphasizing the protective and nurturing symbolism of wolves.

At its core, Lupercalia celebrated the themes of fertility, purification, and the harmony of nature. It honored two deities: Faunus, the primordial spirit of wild nature and fertility, and Juno Februata, the aspect of Juno associated with purification and the passions of love. The name "February" itself originates from Februare (to cleanse) and Juno Februata, underscoring the month’s ties to this festival.

The festival began with sacrifices of goats, symbolizing fertility, and dogs, representing purification. These sacrifices were followed by ceremonial rituals performed by Faunus’ priests, known as the Luperci. After consuming the sacrificial meat, the Luperci smeared themselves with the blood of the animals and dressed in strips of goatskin, referred to as "Juno’s cloak." They then ran through the streets of the Palatine Hill, carrying whips made from goatskin called februa.

Women who wished to conceive strategically positioned themselves to be struck by the whips, believing this act would enhance fertility, ensure conception, and guarantee safe childbirth. This ritual also served as a broader purification rite for the community, cleansing it in preparation for the coming New Year, which in the Roman calendar began at the vernal equinox.

The nine days of Lupercalia, from February 13th to the 21st, were believed to be a liminal time when the souls of the dead wandered the earth. Offerings of food and drink were left for them, with the living honoring the spirits as part of the festival's traditions.

Over time, the festival's elements shifted and evolved, blending with other traditions. February 14th, now celebrated as Valentine’s Day, originally marked the first day of Lupercalia, dedicated to Juno Februata and Faunus, when women prayed for fertility and blessings.

Lupercalia continued to be celebrated for centuries until it was officially abolished in 495 AD by Pope Gelasius I, who replaced it with a Christian feast day. Now, in modern times, even though Lupercalia is no longer a widely celebrated festival, it is often associated with modern Valentine’s Day or even a celebration of self-love. Today, it’s all about love, fertility, and connection. You can spend the three days of Lupercalia by offering yourself love and understanding, doing things that nurture your self-appreciation, and spending special time with your loved ones.

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Magic Correspondences:

Colors: red, white, pink

Crystals: rose quartz, milky quartz, selenite, moonstone, ruby, garnet, lepidolite, green aventurine, emerald

Deities: Juno, Lupercus, Faunus, Venus, Aphrodite, Pan, Hera, Dionysus, Eros, Freyja, Cernunnos (deities associated with love, fertility, and abundance)

Animals: dog, goat, wolf, dove, swan, dolphin, ladybug, lovebirds, horse

Flowers: lavender, roses, snowdrops, hyacinths, tulips, orchids

Herbs: cinnamon, basil, jasmine, vanilla

Fruits: figs, cherries, grapes, bananas, strawberries, pomegranate, raspberries, apples

Symbols: phallus, hearts, wolves, whips, goat

Magick: fertility and abundance spells, self-love magick, sex magick, purification

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Activities to do:

🐺 Take a relaxing long bath, and add some rose essential oil if you like

🐺 Spend time with your dog(s)

🐺 Watch some romance movies

🐺 Treat yourself to things that make you feel good, like lotions, perfume, or new clothes

🐺 Light red, pink, or white candles

🐺 Collect flowers and put them in your altar or room

🐺 Drink goat milk

🐺 Perform love, fertility, and purification spells

🐺 Give flowers to loved ones

🐺 Spend some time in your home, simply being naked because why not?

🐺 Bake heart-shaped cakes

🐺 Support dog shelters with a donation

🐺 Spend time with your lover

🐺 Listen to your favorite music

🐺 Show appreciation for your body

🐺 Take your health medicine

🐺 Decorate your space or altar with heart-shaped objects

🐺 Spend time and meditate in nature

🐺 Eat lots of chocolate

🐺 Practice yoga

🐺 Connect with deities associated with love, fertility, and purification

🐺 Drink some red wine

🐺 Dedicate a day to self-care, doing what feels healthy and good for you

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Food and Drinks:

Drink red liquids like wine, cranberry or strawberry juice, consume goat dairy, cakes, muffins, chocolate, honey, cherries, champagne, grapes, hazelnuts, cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, any food with meat, apple pie, strawberries.

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sources: Wicca: A Modern Guide To Witchcraft & Magick; Encyclopedia of Witchcraft: The Complete A-Z for the Entire Magical World by Judika Illes

Liminal Spaces in Witchcraft

First of all, what is a liminal space? A liminal space refers to a place or time that is in a period of transition between two phases. These are usually places where reality feels altered because you are neither moving forward or backward, like a rest stop. The word liminal originates from the Latin word limens, meaning threshold. These places often give off a sense that time stands still and that you are experiencing some sort of reality shift. 

        In magic and witchcraft these spaces are considered to be the boundary between our world and the other, it is known as “the in-between”. These places are considered areas of great magic because it is believed this is where the veil is thin. These places are great for divination, spirit work, meditation and astral travel; they are ideal for hedge witchcraft.

Times & Spaces of Liminality:

crossroads manmade or natural

river, creek or lake shores/ beaches

hallway/corridor/stairwells/landings/doorways

graveyards

dawn, dusk, afternoon, midnight

valleys

forest glades

many more!

      Samhain/Halloween is considered the best time to communicate with spirits and faeries because of its liminality, it is a time of transition between autumn and winter. Irish folklore tells that this is the day faeries and ghosts come out to play because of the veil thinning. The equinoxes and sabbats like Beltane and Imbolc are also days of liminality because the time of day and night are equal (equinoxes) or it is a transition between seasons.  

       Mental states of liminality are also times of spirit communication. While being in a meditative state we are in a state of transition between our concious and sub-concious minds, this is where we sometimes experience astral projection or messages from spirits. People often experience spirit while falling asleep because this is another state of liminality. 

     In my craft I often practice in liminality in order to connect with the faerie realms.

-Moonlight 🌙

Palmistry

🖐 🖐 🖐 🖐

*sorry I only did one minor line (marriage line)*

Palms

* For females, the right hand is what you're born with, and left is what you've accumulated throughout your life.

* For males, The left hand is what you're born with, and the right is what you've accumulated throughout your life.

* Another way would be you can choose whichever hand is dominant to be your present/past life hand (the non-dominant hand would then be your future life hand)

* Earth - broad, square palms and fingers, thick or coarse skin, and ruddy color; length of the palm equals length of fingers

* Solid values and energy, sometimes stubborn

* Practical and responsible, sometimes materialistic

* Work with their hands, comfortable with the tangible

* Air - square or rectangular palms with long fingers and sometimes protruding knuckles, low-set thumbs, and dry skin; length of the palm less than length of fingers

* Sociable, talkative and witty

* Can be shallow, spiteful and cold

* Comfortable with the mental and the intangible

* Does things in different and radical ways

* Water - long, sometimes oval-shaped palm, with long, flexible, conical fingers; length of the palm equals the length of fingers but is less than the width across the widest part of the palm.

* Creative, perceptive and sympathetic

* Can be moody, emotional and inhibited

* Introverts

* Do things quietly and intuitively.

* Fire - square or rectangular palm, flushed or pink skin, and shorter fingers; length of the palm is greater than length of fingers

* Spontaneous, enthusiastic and optimistic

* Sometimes egoistic, impulsive and insensitive

* Extroverts

* Do things boldly and instinctively.

Hand Mounts

* That's what the fleshy bit below your fingers are called, on the opposite side of your knuckle.

* To make them visible, cup your hand just a bit.

* A high Venus mount (the one under your thumb) indicates a predisposition for hedonism, promiscuity, and the need for instant gratification. A non-existent Venus mount indicates little interest in family matters.

* The mount under your index finger is called the Jupiter mount. If this is well-developed, it means you are dominant, possibly self-centered, and aggressive. A lack of one means you lack confidence.

* Under your middle finger is the Saturn mount. A high mount shows you're stubborn, cynical, and prone to depression. If it is low, it's an indicator of superficiality and disorganization.

* The Sun mount is under your ring finger. You're quick-tempered, extravagant, and prideful if you have a high Sun mount. A low Sun mount means you lack imagination.

* The Mercury mount is under your pinkie. If it's protruding, you talk too much. A low mount means the opposite -- you're shy.

Heart Line

* This line can be read in either direction (from the pinkie finger to the index finger or vice versa) depending on the tradition being followed.

* It's believed to indicate emotional stability, romantic perspectives, depression, and cardiac health.

* Begins below the index finger - content with love life

* Begins below the middle finger - selfish when it comes to love

* Begins in the middle - falls in love easily

* Straight and short - less interest in romance

* Touches life line - heart is broken easily

* Not Present- ruled by logic instead of emotion.

* Present at the fate line- Consumed by others

* Long and curvy - freely expresses emotions and feelings

* Straight and parallel to the head line - good handle on emotions

* Wavy - many relationships and lovers, absence of serious relationships

* Circle on the line - sadness or depression

* Broken line - emotional trauma

* Smaller lines crossing through heart line - emotional trauma

Head Line

* This represents a person's learning style, communication approach, intellectualism, and thirst for knowledge.

* A curved line is associated with creativity and spontaneity, while a straight line is linked with practicality and a structured approach.

* Short line - prefers physical achievements over mental ones

* Curved, sloping line - creativity

* Separated from life line - adventure, enthusiasm for life

* Wavy line - short attention span

* Deep, long line - thinking is clear and focused

* Straight line - thinks realistically

* Donuts or cross in head line - emotional crisis

* Broken head line - inconsistencies in thought

* Multiple crosses through head line - momentous decisions

* If the head line is not there, it indicates a sluggish person.

* A faint line indicates the person lacks concentration and memory.

* A deep line  represents good memory and concentration.

* If the head line begins at the life line, this indicates the person is strong-willed.

* A head line that is separate from the life line indicates an individual who has a strong sense of enthusiasm and adventure for life.

Life Line

* This begins near the thumb and travels in an arc towards the wrist. It reflects physical health, general well-being, and major life changes (for example, cataclysmic events, physical injuries, and relocation).

* Its length is not associated with length of life.

* Runs close to thumb - often tired

* Curvy - plenty of energy

* Long, deep - vitality

* Short and shallow - manipulated by others

* Swoops around in a semicircle - strength, and enthusiasm

* Straight and close to the edge of the palm - cautious when it comes to relationships

* Multiple life lines - extra vitality

* Circle in line indicates - hospitalized or injured

* Break - sudden change in lifestyle

Fate Line

* This is also known as the line of destiny, and it indicates the degree to which a person's life is affected by external circumstances beyond their control.

* It begins at the base of the palm.

* Deep line - strongly controlled by fate

* Breaks and changes of direction - prone to many changes in life from external forces

* Starts joined to life line - self-made individual; develops aspirations early on

* Joins with the life line around in the middle - signifies a point at which one's interests must be surrendered to those of others

* Starts at base of the thumb and crosses life line - support offered by family and friends.

Marriage Line

* mainly reflects the situation of your marriage life, love relationship, marriage time as well as your attitude towards love.

* It is located below the base of the little finger just above the heart line

* A straight long marriage line indicates deep and long love.

* If your marriage line is short, it indicates passionless to the opposite sex.

* If it's also shallow, you usually lack the patience to pursue the opposite sex and hard to fall deep when fall in love.

* If your marriage line goes downwards at the end (Figyour partner will die earlier than you. If it curves downwards suddenly, your partner may suffer from accidental death.

* Another situation is that it curves downwards and touches the heart line. This indicates marriage crises and personality clashes with your partner.

* If the line curves upwards at the end, it indicates constant in love and a settled marriage life.

* If the line is forked at the beginning with a shape of "Y", It indicates split-up

* If the line has split ends, it indicates marriage crises and separation.You may spend the whole life in confusion. You may also suffer from indigestion.

* The broken marriage line shows you are easy to meet setbacks in love or marriage.

* The longer the broken part is, the more serious the situation is. If the break is short, that’s not too much problem.

* If an island appears at the beginning of the line, it shows you may not go smoothly in love relationship before marriage.

* An island in the middle indicates twists and turns in love.

* If the island appears at the end of the line, it indicated obstacles after marriage.

* Many islands indicate unfavorable love relationship and marriage. 

* Grilles means that there are great ups and downs during your marriage life.

* If you have multi disordered overlapping lines with different lengths, it shows you couldn't have an ideal love relationship or marriage. It's hard to meet a good lover and easy to spend the whole life without marriage.

* If you have two marriage lines running parallel with the same length, it indicates a tortuous marriage. Also, people who separate with his/her partner for a long time and reunite usually have this kind of marriage line.

* If the two lines running parallel with different lengths, you are easy to fall into love-triangle situations.

"...plants that reach for the sun have a strong solar quality, which lends itself to workings of healing, happiness, and joy.

Plants that are poisonous or develop strong root systems and return year after year have a saturnine quality, lending themselves to necromancy, cursing, and dark spirit work.

Plants with barbs, thorns, or irritants are martial in nature and are useful for defense and success in competitive areas.

If a plant has large, fragrant blossoms, it can be said to possess a venereal nature, potent in love, friendship, and beauty.

Plants that hold watery or milky substances or enjoy the shade have a lunar quality, useful in divination and foresight.

Plants with complex, small leaves or petals that flutter in the wind often have a mercurial nature, useful for learning, communication, and trade.

Plants that produce prolific nuts or seeds are connected to the planetary force of Jupiter, useful for success, wealth, and influence."

- Folk Witchcraft: A Guide to Lore, Land, and the Familiar Spirit for the Solitary Practitioner by Roger J. Horne

“Becoming a witch is an awakening, a remembering, an initiation. It’s a chant to ‘come home, come home, come home’, because even when you feel like you’re lost, you’re not.”

— Gabriela Herstik, from “Craft: How to Be a Modern Witch,” released c. 2018

February Magic Correspondences

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February is a month of love, abundance and purification. As winter gradually gives way to the first hints of spring, it's the perfect moment to cleanse the past and open the heart to new possibilities. This month is deeply connected to Februus, the Roman god of purification, who help us to release what no longer serves us. His influence encourages rituals and practices that help clear away negativity and create space for fresh intentions. This month brings an energetic focus on passion, fertility, and harmony. It’s a time to honor the primal forces of love and joy, whether in romantic relationships or in the bonds we share with ourselves and others. February also honors Juno Februa, goddess of love and sacred unions, and Faunus, god of fertility and nature. In this month of both purification and passion, it’s an ideal time to work with love spells, self-care rituals, and practices that help purify your mind and spirit.

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Celebrations:

Imbolc / Candlemas (February 1-2)

Lupercalia (February 13-15)

Parentalia (February 13-21)

Juno Februa (February 14)

Valisblot (February 14)

Valentine's Day (February 14)

Planets:

Venus, Moon, Mars

Flowers:

Snowdrops, Crocus, Violet, Carnation, Primrose

Herbs/Plants:

Rosemary, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Pine, Sage, Hyssop

Tarot Cards:

The Lovers, Two of Cups, Four of Wands

Fruits:

Banana, Grapefruit, Kiwi, Pomegranate, Strawberry, Blood Orange, Blackberry

Vegetables:

Cabbage, Leeks, Carrots, Potato, Cauliflower

Deities:

Februus, Faunus, Juno, Venus, Cupid, Pan, Aphrodite, Ares, Eros, Dionysus, Persephone, Brigid, Áine, Yue Lao, Lada, Bastet, Oshun, Sjöfn, Aradia

Colors:

Purple, Pink, White, Blue, Yellow, Silver

Runes:

Wunjo, Gebo, Ehwaz

Crystals:

Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Ruby, Garnet, Moonstone, Aquamarine, Pink Agate

Animals:

Otter, Sheep, Dove, Lamb, Wolf, Dog, Deer, Goat

Trees:

Rowan, Cedar, Myrtle, Laurel

Symbols:

Hearts, The Phallus, Brigid’s Cross, Snowdrops, Candles

Magical Powers:

Love, Fertility, Purification, Sex Magick, Healing, Abundance, Faerie Magick

ACTIVITIES TO DO

💌 Celebrate the season’s festivities.

💌 Clean your garden.

💌 Cleanse your home .

💌 Do love or fertility spells.

💌 Practice self-love and kindness to yourself.

💌 Work with deities connected to this month.

💌 Enjoy dairy products like milk or cheese.

💌 Light candles around your home.

💌 Connect with the fire element.

💌 Read about faerie folk.

💌 Connect with deities associated with love.

💌 Meditate in nature and leave seeds for birds.

💌 Cook and share meals with loved ones.

💌 Show love to your body.

💌 Donate to Animal shelters.

💌 Try new recipes with blackberries.

💌 Write gratitude letters to the Universe or your deities.

💌 Buy yourself something special, you deserve it♡

💌 Eat comforting foods like chocolate or pancakes (make a wish when flipping pancakes!).

💌 Try new ways of divination.

💌 Do kitchen magick and cook recipes with intentions.

💌 This month is all about purification so get rid of all toxic people that hurt you.

💌 Pick snowdrops, dry them, and use them for future spells.

💌 Read about Godess Brigid.

💌 Take care of you both mentally and physically.

💌 Start a journal.

💌 Wear rose quartz and pink agate in your pockets to attract positive love and harmony.

💌 Donate things you don’t need anymore.

The Lovers

Kaja Horvat, 2024

Working With Hekate

Goddess Of The Threshold

Other titles: Keeper of the Gates, The Triple Goddess, Bringer of Light, Night Wanderer, and many more

Colors: Black, silver, gold, red, white

Herbs: Asphodel, trillium, ebony, fly agaric, garlic, aconite, yew, datura, cypress, belladonna, saffron, foxglove, mandrake, willow, black poplar, dandelion, mugwort, henbane, mandrake, yarrow, myyrh, lavender, oak, mullien, thornapple, bittersweet, poppy, wormwood, sage, rue, fumitory, dragon's blood, rowan, black copal

Crystals: Moonstone (especially black), labradorite, mother of pearl, black tourmaline, obsidian, black/smokey quartz, lodestone, nuummite, serpentine, auralite, abalone, corundum, zicron, hematite, jet, lapis lazuli, pyrite

Element: Earth/water/darkness

Planet: The Moon, Saturn, Pluto

Zodiac: Scorpio (Aquarius)

Metal: Silver, copper, bronze

Tarot: The Moon, The High Priestess

Direction: All

Date: November 16th, the Night of Hekate

Day: Any

Animals: Goats, wolves, dogs, owls, snakes, horses, crows, bulls, sheep, skunks, lizards, dragons

Domains: Thresholds/liminal spaces/boundaries, crossroads, witchcraft and sorcery, the Moon, herbalism, the poison path, necromancy, nocturnal magick, truth, secrets, hedge-riding, shadow work and integration of shadow-self, baneful magick, protection, knot magick, foraging, divination, creatures of the night, the Underworld, the Otherworld

Offerings: Keys, hair of a black dog, any of her sacred plants, representations of any of her animals, divination tools, black mirrors, wands, athames, bolines, blades, things in sets of 3, fruit, wine, blood, rituals/magick in her honor/name, feathers, fossils, shells, bones

Symbols: Blades, fire, keys, crossroads, gateways, doors, entrances, moons, torches, wands/sceptres, whips, the number 3