fox-and-fern

[fox-and-fern]

“The desert, when the sun comes up. I couldn't tell where heaven stopped and the Earth began.”

#my pics #desert plants #desert photography #nature #nature photography #desert aesthetic #southwest aesthetic #southwestern aesthetic #arizona

[fox-and-fern]

prayers don't have to be perfect by the way.

I pray to the gods in the middle of my classes, my shifts at work, and in the shower.

I pray waiting at the bus stop.

I pray looking for something I lost.

I'm not always the best at consistently praying and leaving offerings at my altar. most of my worship is quick prayers on the go and devotional acts.

that's ok. I'm trying and the gods don't hate me or anything.

they don't hate you either. practice in a way that fits into your life and your needs. that's enough I think.

[fox-and-fern]

What really hurts about religious discourse is how much we all have in common. I know being a Hellenist brings me unfathomable levels of warmth and comfort that I can’t find anywhere else. And I know there are people of other faiths that feel that way with their deities.

There’s so much emphasis on who is “right” or “wrong”, but I don’t believe there’s one truth for everyone. We all have such different lives and paths. The way religion is used as a weapon of hate and not a tool for love and compassion will always sadden me.

I may not personally worship every deity of every religion, but I acknowledge that the feeling of spiritual fulfillment that other religions give people is real. That is enough for me to find love in my heart for them all.

If Allah can bring you that feeling, THATS BEAUTIFUL!! If Jesus can bring you that feeling, THATS BEAUTIFUL!! If any deity of any faith can bring you that feeling….THATS BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Personally, I don’t see my religion as an undeniable truth for everyone. I see it as spiritual connection that brings me love and warmth like no other. I know Lady Aphrodite is real in my heart, because I feel her. I can never give you an equation or a fact that proves my feelings, but I know it’s true in my life. How could you look someone in the eyes and tell them they’ll be punished for seeking love and warmth?

I know I’m just rambling, but I just wish we could live in a world where religion wasn’t a competition of who is right, but a way for us to find more beauty and fulfillment in our worlds.

[fox-and-fern]

Learning is hard.

It's gonna take time.

And, if you're like me, that most likely isn't what you want to hear.

Or it can even seem scary to hear that.

But, beginning something new is always going to take a while to get a grasp of.

And good things are always worth waiting for, worth practicing for.

You don't need to learn everything instantly.

You don't need to master every single skill or trick out there.

You don't need to do everything by the book.

You don't need to follow every single rule people put out.

You don't need to be scared of time, because ultimately your journey is weaved for you specifically. Not your friend, not your idols, you. So embrace it, experience it.

It's gonna get bad, it's gonna get really good, and you're going to have mundane times too.

You're going to get frustrated, confused, feel "stuck", and everything in between.

You're going to feel euphoric, safe, and adventurous.

All of it is apart of the process to shape you out into the best you for the journey you're on.

You're doing fine, everything's okay.

[fox-and-fern]

With the recent rainfall and slight warming of winter’s chill, the wildflowers where I live are beginning to bloom again, and the other plants and trees are such a vibrant green.

I took these photos of wildflowers sprouting up on the side of a road earlier this week... I love these subtle signs of spring.

#spring #my pics #flowers #pagan community

[fox-and-fern]

A reminder that feeling compelled to begin worshipping/researching a god is also a sign and you don’t need to see some major sign in order to begin worshipping!

I began worshipping Lord Apollon because I was interested in him for some reason, and that’s led me to many years of researching/worshipping him! He never came to me through animal symbolism or anything major/visible but my worship of him is something that feels so right, even when I have a drought and struggle to actively worship, I never feel too worried or uncomfortable to return to normal because he is my god and I felt and still feel like I was meant to worship him

The idea that you need to see physical signs in order to begin worshipping/building a relationship with a god is ridiculous and should never stop you! Think about all the other gods you don’t feel compelled to worship and compare it to those that you do, and if you want to begin worshipping loads of gods, then go for it! There’s no right or wrong way to begin worship and only you know what’s the right thing for yourself

#diety worship

[fox-and-fern]

Adding to this: it doesn’t always have to be eloquent prayers and rituals. Prayer can just be you talking to your deities about whatever’s on your mind (however casually, however muddled). It’s okay. The gods understand and they love you for your strength in allowing yourself the vulnerability to show up exactly as you are.

And anyway, in a world that often views sensitivity, authenticity, and emotion as a weakness, I consider vulnerability to be a strength.

it's okay. you can be vulnerable in front of the gods. you can cry your heart out. you can be naked. you can dance like an idiot. you can scream, enraged, or break down in silence. you can be yourself, they will never ask you to hide your humanity or be ashamed of it.

#paganism #diety worship

[fox-and-fern]

Lady Hekate

An aesthetic of Lady Hekate as I see her.

(All images were sourced from Pinterest)

#hekate #hecate #hekate devotee #hecate devotee #hecate deity #hellenic polytheism #pagan witch #aesthetic #moodboard #e offering #eclectic pagan #devotee #devotees #pagan deities #hellenic deities

[fox-and-fern]

I love it when people work hard on their posts. I love it when they do it for themselves and for anyone who happens upon it. Even if few people interact at first, I think it's still a lovely thing to share what you're passionate about. 🧡

#<3

[fox-and-fern]

Bleeding fairy helmets

[fox-and-fern]

Listen. Abandoning the idea of what a proper pagan is was the most rewarding experience. Your intuition is stronger than you think.

This isn't a science. You don't have to treat it like one. Go with your heart, go with your intuition. It will help you grow more than you've ever dreamed of.

#paganism

[fox-and-fern]

Consumerism in Witchcraft

I've been waiting to get a chance to make this post as I feel it's extremely important for any "witch" to hear, no matter how far along in your spiritual journey you are.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: You do not need all of these special tools to practice witchcraft.

Sure, a lot of these tools are helpful and fun, but you don't need to feel pressure to get a certain tarot deck or to spend ridiculous amounts of money on crystals that the media says you need for x y z.

The market of witchcraft is completely saturated with elitism, and I've seen too many starter-witches/baby-witches fall into this void of feeling like they aren't good enough because they don't have the resources.

There is magic in every little moment in life. You just need to find it. Nature, tea, cooking, makeup, writing, crafting, bathing, local wonders - All of these are places where you can express your spirituality and practice your craft.

Overall, I think it's important to understand that witchcraft has absolutely no rules.

[fox-and-fern]

ig - afternoondreams

[fox-and-fern]

Cedar stump

[fox-and-fern]

Botanical illustrations 

by  Beatrix Potter 

[fox-and-fern]

I know people generally see or envision deities appearance a certain way, but not everyone is going to see them the same. Deities dont have a physical form, but humans can't comprehend that, so they appear to us in a way that we can understand. However, I think it's different for everybody. Everyone percieves things differently. Just a thought!

#diety worship

[fox-and-fern]

~ Brown and Green ~