Working With Dantalion

Working With Dantalion

Keeper of the Library of Bibliotheca

Enn: "Avage Ayer Dantalion On Ca"

Rank: Grand Duke

Colors: Blue, purple, yellow, green

Herbs: Dandelion, honeysuckle, rose, jasmine, lily, mangrove, sandalwood, poppy, mayflower, elder, eyebright

Crystals: Moonstone, pearl, emerald, indigo gabbro, howlite, apatite, opal, amethyst, kyanite, que sera stone

Element: Water/Air

Planet: Venus/Mercury

Zodiac: Pisces (Gemini)

Metal: Copper, mercury

Tarot: 9 of Cups, the Hermit

Direction: North

Dates: March 11th - 15th

Day: Wednesday

Animals: Moths, crows, cats, mantis

Domains: Libraries and learning, divination, dream work such as lucid dreaming and dream walking, love, communication, connections and patterns, rain and clouds, enlightenment, meditation, peace and quiet, identity, joy, children, illusion, tricks, deceit and subterfuge, thoughts, answers, manifestation, gentle guidance

Offerings: Books, pens, paper, hand-written letters, flowers, tea, coffee, cakes, fossils, pursuits of knowledge

Sigil:

Fetches, Familiars, and Fylgjur

These titles have seemed to have been blurred or the meaning completely lost in modern day because they are conflated to mean the same thing when they are not the same things at all. So this post is gonna clear all that up.

Fetches:

A fetch is in Irish and English folklore, the term for one’s Double, an apparition of a living person. The fetch is also called a “co-walker” in England. Seeing a fetch is a sign of ill-boding, although in Irish lore, to see a fetch in the morning means one will have a long life. When seen at night, however, the fetch is believed to foretell a person’s death.

Fetches are seen by persons with clairvoyant ability, or by friends or family of the living person just prior to, or at the moment of, that person’s death. As such, the fetch is the equivalent of certain crisis apparitions, a term applied in psychical research and parapsychology. Sometimes the fetch is witnessed by the person who is to die several days or weeks prior to his or her death. As such, it is similar to the Germanic doppelgänger and to some conceptions of the British wraith. Francis Grose associated the term with Northern England in his 1787 Provincial Glossary, but otherwise it seems to have been in popular use only in Ireland.

Corresponding to its contemporary prominence in "national superstitions", the fetch appeared in Irish literature starting in early 19th century. "The fetch superstition" is the topic of John and Michael Banim's Gothic story "The Fetches" from their 1825 work Tales by the O'Hara Family and Walter Scott used the term in his Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft, published in 1830, in a brief reference to "his … fetch or wraith, or double-ganger".

Familiars:

Familiars are (usually animal) spirits that can guide us and aid our magical practice and rituals. They can appear in the form of animals we are partial to and will change their form to be a more comforting animal for us.

In European folklore of the medieval and early modern periods, familiars (sometimes referred to as familiar spirits) were believed to be supernatural entities that would assist witches and cunning folk in their practice of magic. According to records of the time, those alleging to have had contact with familiar spirits reported that they could manifest as numerous forms, usually as an animal, but sometimes as a human or humanoid figure, and were described as "clearly defined, three-dimensional… forms, vivid with colour and animated with movement and sound", as opposed to descriptions of ghosts with their "smoky, undefined form[s]".

When they served witches, they were often thought to be malevolent, but when working for cunning folk they were often considered benevolent (although there was some ambiguity in both cases). The former were often categorized as demons, while the latter were more commonly thought of and described as fairies. The main purpose of familiars was to serve the witch or young witch, providing protection for them as they came into their new powers.

Since the 20th century some magical practitioners, including adherents of the Neopagan religion of Wicca, use the concept of familiars, due to their association with older forms of magic. These contemporary practitioners use pets or wildlife, or believe that invisible versions of familiars act as magical aids.

(familiars are almost NEVER physical, so that cat you adopted from the shelter is almost certainly not your familiar. I have only ever seen one physical familiar in my entire life and it is an EXCEEDINGLY rare circumstance)

Fylgja:

Fylgjur (plural of Fylgja) (pronounced "feel-hyur" & "feel-hya" respectively) are supernatural guardian spirits, bound to a family line, who are said to accompany a person throughout life. Like many concepts in Norse mythology, the Fylgja is sometimes hard to comprehend or explain.

Fylgja, translated from Old Norse, means "someone that accompanies". They can appear in two ways.

The first is an animal form, which can be described as an extension of an aspect or characteristic of a particular family. They seem to embody the spirit, and guide the one they choose, or work deeds for them.

Maria Kvilhaug translated and summarised Professor Else Mundal's academic paper on the topic, “Fylgjemotiva i norrøn litteratur” (Fylgjur Motifs in Norse Literature):

"The animal fylgja motif is sometimes blended with the húgr-motif. [Húgr (masculine singular) means “intent”, “desire”, “thought”, “soul”, “heart” and seems to have been a part of the human soul that could move outside of the body in animal shape]. Manna hugir ["the intents of men"] sometimes replace the term manna fylgjor [the “followers” of men] and usually then appear in the shape of wolves. Wolves, being associated with fierce passion and desire (or greed and hunger) are closely connected to the húgr. The other animals appear as manna fylgjor."

The second description from “Fylgjemotiva i norrøn litteratur” explains how Fylgjur are female entities. They act as a guardian for a family, and attach themselves to an individual at birth, following through the generations down a certain lineage. They are likely to represent an ancestral mother. We know that the mothers were celebrated, with female ancestral spirits being described as "Dísir" (meaning "Ladies"). These female spirits are bound to a family of which they are matriarchal ancestors, and can be both benevolent or malevolent.

In the Anglo-Saxon and later English superstitions, an animal Fylgja became known as a fetch. Whether this was originally the same creature that appears in Icelandic literature, or whether this is a similar concept, it is hard to tell. A fetch in the British witchcraft tradition is an animal spirit, or living animal, that would allow its "owner" to travel with it or send it on errands for magical workings or spirit travel.

It is more common for us to see the witch's fetch depicted as a familiar; a physical animal that aids the practitioner in her works. Many folk tales describe how these animals might also be the witch transformed, and physical injuries suffered by the animal matching those of the witch once she is restored to human form. This shape-shifting also appeared as a Norse concept.

In modern reconstructed Heathen spirituality, a Fylgja can be seen as an attendant female spirit or animal, which may visit you in dreams, or appear if you are practising Seiðr, trance-working, or going on a spirit journey. People sometimes feel that their Fylgja has run on ahead of them when travelling in a physical sense.

Working With Ose

Enn: "Ayer Serpente Ose"

Rank: President

Other names: Oze, Oso, Voso

Colors: Orange, yellow, green, blue

Herbs: Horsetail, catnip, blue lotus, silver vine, marigold, storax, dragon's blood, eyebright, frankincense, mugwort, wolfsbane, dandelion, yellow rose, sunflower, cannabis, blessed thistle, ashwagandha, violet, sandalwood

Crystals: Labradorite, tiger's eye, fluorite, blue adventurine, fire opal, peacock ore, chrysocolla, malachite, yellow sapphire, aragonite, moldavite, apatite, tangerine quartz, peach moonstone, amber, orange jade

Element: Air/Earth

Planet: Mercury, Venus

Zodiac: Libra

Metal: Mercury, gold, silver

Tarot: 4 of Swords

Direction: East

Dates: October 12th - 23rd

Day: Wednesday

Animals: Leopards, cats, butterflies, owls, phoenix, snakes

Domains: Transformation, shape-shifting, hedge-riding/astral projection, demons/daemons, familiars, cunning, stealth, shadow magick, hidden truths/secrets, illusions and glamour magick, deception, enlightenment, confidence/charisma, mischief, humor, adventure

Offerings: Things that symbolize transformation, animal themed items/figures, tea, milk and honey, fish, meat, wine, cannabis, jewelry, drums/music, mirrors, cat toys

Sigil:

Sigils I've created (part 2)

Working With Aradia

Queen of Witches

Origin: Italian folklore, daughter of Lucifer and Diana

Other titles: Bringer of Magick, Freer of Slaves, Queen of Faeries, Holy Strega

Colors: Black, white, silver, gold, green, red

Herbs: Anise, belladonna, lemon, jasmine, rue, vervain

Crystals: Moonstone, pearl, opal, labradorite, goldstone

Dates: August 13th, Friday the 13th

Animals: Cats, foxes, snakes, deer

Domains: Witchcraft, divination, justice, equality, witches and practioners of magick, the enslaved, outcasts, the lost, freedom

Offerings: Incense, flowers (especially those that bloom at night), milk, honey, wine, cakes, anything associated with the moon, songs, poems, and invocations

Symbols: Moons, suns, pentacles, wands, chalices, swords, stars

"I am the daughter of the Sun and Moon and even though I have been born into this world, my race is of the stars." - The Charge of Aradia

— Dragons are found in every culture on earth from Greek, to Egyptian, to Inca, Native American, Roman, Persian, Sumerian, Babylonian, African cultures, Japanese and Chinese cultures, ancient Atlantean legends; they all speak of the power and wonder of dragons. Dragons are misunderstood they are not evil. They are protectors or guardians. In many stories, dragons were the very first creation the Gods. They are guardians of the elements, protectors of the realms, both the destroyer and the creator.

So, what is Dragon Dust?

- Dragon Dust is magical Incense designed to draw dragon magic and dragons to you. Dragons are powerful ancient beings. Unlike the fae, dragons pick who they follow. Like the fae, once a dragon picks you, that dragon is bound to you forever, even following you when you are reincarnated or reborn. The main ingredient of Dragon Dust is Dragon’s Blood resin.

~ Before I teach you how to make Dragon Dust, you first need to learn about Dragon’s Blood and its uses ~

A bit about Dragon’s Blood

- Dragon’s Blood is a bright red resin that is obtained from different species of a number of distinct plants. The most common species to obtain the resin from is Dracaena cinnabari, otherwise known as the Dragon’s Blood Tree.

- The therapeutic properties of Dragon’s blood includes the following: anesthetic, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-dysenteric, anti-fungal, anti-hemorrhagic (reduce bleeding), anti-leukemia, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-tumor, antiviral, neurasthenic (reduce nerve pain) and wound healer, and also includes analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-cancerous, anti-itch, anti-ulcerous, and astringent properties. It also has a protective action on the skin, and coupled with the wonderful anti-bacterial properties, makes it a natural to be included in a product to fight acne. Not withstanding the anti-bacterial effect on the skin, it also exhibits powerful anti-viral properties. Apart from all these very positive qualities, Dragon’s Blood also has very good antioxidant properties which also help to protect the DNA in the skin cell, which protects the skin from genetic alteration.

- When burnt, Dragon’s Blood creates a strong herbal and spicy fragrance. It’s traditionally used in Indian ceremonies to get rid of negative energies and spirits, and is regarded as having cleansing properties. It’s also calming, and some believe it has aphrodisiac properties too, especially if you leave a piece under your mattress. - As well as for burning, the resin has gained other uses throughout history. In the 18th century, Italian violin makers are said to have used it as a source of varnish for their instruments, and the Greeks and Romans regarded it as having medicinal properties. The warriors in ancient China used to carry it with them when going into battle. If they were wounded, they used the resin to stop their wounds from bleeding so much.

Medicinal uses for Dragon’s Blood resin

Dragon’s Blood resin is used externally as a wash to promote healing and stop bleeding. Internally, it is used for chest pains, postpartum bleeding, internal traumas, and menstrual irregularities.

Dragon’s Blood Bath Salt

Prepare yourself in style for your rituals and celebrations. Made with pure sea salt and clean, straight resin.

Dragon’s Blood Oil

Dragon’s Blood oil is good for protection and empowerment, and is especially helpful for defense on the astral plane. Like any sword, it has two sides; it can be used in offense as well as defense. On the other hand, some folks work love magick with dragon’s blood oil - its red color amplifies the passion of love magic, and its Mars association increases the power. This magick oil is made by steeping the best refined Chinese Dragon’s Blood resin in safflower oil. Like the Dragon’s Blood palm itself, safflower is a Mars plant (and even contains the Mars metal, iron), so the power of this oil is doubled. In addition, the oil is scented with opoponax, a Mars/Pluto resin that is especially effective for protection as well as for acquiring the kind of knowledge one might wish to gain on the astral plane. It’s also nicely fragrant. Dragon’s blood resin is a colorant, so this oil can stain clothes. Because this is made from resins instead of essential oils, it will settle out after it sits for a while, so shake thoroughly before using. Store in a cool, dark place.

More uses for Dragon’s Blood resin and incense

- The resin is burned to entice errant lovers to return, which is usually done by women seated near an open window looking outside at night. A stick of it placed under the pillow or mattress will cure impotency. the resin is a powerful protectorate that when carried, smoldered as incense, or sprinkled around the house, will drive away evil and negativity. A pinch of it added to other incenses will increase their potency and power. According to Cunningham, in order to quiet a noisy house, use the powder mixed with sugar and salt and place a bottle to be hidden somewhere in the house where it can’t be found. The result will be peace and quiet within the house.

- Magickal Herbalists have been stirred by the properties and uses of the resin for generations. Due to its color of red and its pleasing odors, Dragon’s Blood is widely used in love magick and workings of the heart. Also widely used as a funeral herb, it is most common to burn the resin as incense during funeral rites, for ease of transition. It is said that placing a piece of the plant under the mattress cures impotency. It is also added to love sachets and spells to give greater potency of other herbs for magick and rituals when blended together.

Dragon Dust

1 ounce Dragon’s Blood resin (you can grind up Dragon’s Blood incense to use in place of the resin if you don’t have any, but the resin will be more powerful)

½ teaspoon Frankincense powder

½ teaspoon Benzoin powder

1 teaspoon Sandalwood powder

¼ teaspoon Myrrh powder

1 tiny Seashell

A pinch of Sea Salt (regular salt will work fine, but sea salt will be more powerful)

¼ teaspoon Cinnamon (fresh grated is best, but not necessary)

¼ teaspoon dried Marigold petals

¼ teaspoon dried Mugwort

¼ teaspoon dried Mint

¼ teaspoon dried Yarrow petals

1 or 2 small pieces of Jade, Agate, Quartz, or Lapis Lazuli

Red or White candle

Mortar and pestle

- Using a mortar and pestle, grind the plant ingredients together. To this base, add the crystals and seashell for your specific need. you can also add any essential oil you wish. When done, place the dust in a small glass jar or bottle. If possible, find a bottle colored the same as the dust’s purpose. Light a white or red candle before mixing the dust, drip the candle wax to seal the bottle.

*Wiccan By Nature - with edits by Belladonna.