Star-comet-witches - Adventures In Universe/free Readings Open/

Galactic Ghouls and Stellar Screams

A quiet, starry night sky might not seem like a very eerie spectacle, but space can be a creepy place! Monsters lurk in the shadowy depths of the universe, sometimes hidden in plain sight. Many of them are invisible to our eyes, so we have to use special telescopes to see them. Read on to discover some of these strange cosmic beasts, but beware — sometimes fact is scarier than fiction.

Monster Black Holes ⚫

You know those nightmares where no matter how fast you try to run you never seem to get anywhere? Black holes are a sinister possible version of that dream — especially because they’re real! If you get too close to a black hole, there is no possibility of escape.

Just last year our Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope traced an otherworldly ghost particle back to one of these monster black holes, providing additional insight into the many signals we’re picking up from some of the most feared creatures in the cosmic deep.

But it gets worse. Our Hubble Space Telescope revealed that these things are hidden in the hearts of nearly every galaxy in the universe. That means supermassive black holes lurk in the shadows of the night sky in every direction you look!

A Hazy Specter 👻

This fiendish specter lives in the center of the Milky Way, haunting our galaxy’s supermassive black hole. But it’s not as scary as it looks! Our SOFIA observatory captured streamlines tracing a magnetic field that appears to be luring most of the material quietly into orbit around the black hole. In other galaxies, magnetic fields seem to be feeding material into hungry black holes — beware! Magnetic fields might be the answer to why some black holes are starving while others are feasting.

Bats in the Belfry 🦇

The universe has bats in the attic! Hubble spotted the shadow of a giant cosmic bat in the Serpens Nebula. Newborn stars like the one at the center of the bat, called HBC 672, are surrounded by disks of material, which are hard to study directly. The shadows they cast, like the bat, can clue scientists in on things like the disk’s size and density. Our solar system formed from the same type of disk of material, but we can only see the end result of planet building here — we want to learn more about the process!

Jack-o-lantern Sun 🎃

A jack-o-lantern in space?! Our Solar Dynamics Observatory watches the Sun at all times, keeping a close eye on space weather. In October 2014, the observatory captured a chilling image of the Sun with a Halloweenish face!

Skull Comet 💀

On Halloween a few years ago, an eerie-looking object known as 2015 TB145 sped across the night sky. Scientists observing it with our Infrared Telescope Facility determined that it was most likely a dead comet. It’s important to study objects like comets and asteroids because they’re dangerous if they cross Earth’s path — just ask the dinosaurs!

Halloween Treat 🍬

Trick-or-treat! Add a piece of glowing cosmic candy to your Halloween haul, courtesy of Hubble! This image shows the Saturn Nebula, formed from the outer layers ejected by a dying star, destined to be recycled into later generations of stars and planets. Our Sun will experience a similar fate in around five billion years.

Witch’s Broom Nebula 🧹

Massive stars are in for a more fiery fate, as the Witch’s Broom Nebula shows. Hubble’s close-up look reveals wisps of gas — shrapnel leftover from a supernova explosion. Astronomers believe that a couple of supernovae occur each century in galaxies like our own Milky Way.

Zombie Stars 🧟

Supernovae usually herald the death of a star, but on a few occasions astronomers have found “zombie stars” left behind after unusually weak supernovae. Our Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) has even spotted a mysterious glow of high-energy X-rays that could be the “howls” of dead stars as they feed on their neighbors.

Intergalactic Ghost Towns 🏚️

The universe is brimming with galaxies, but it’s also speckled with some enormous empty pockets of space, too. These giant ghost towns, called voids, may be some of the largest things in the cosmos, and since the universe is expanding, galaxies are racing even farther away from each other all the time! Be grateful for your place in space — the shadowy patches of the universe are dreadful lonely scenes.

Mysterious Invisible Force 🕵️‍♀️

Some forces are a lot creepier than floorboards creaking or a door slamming shut unexpectedly when you’re home alone. Dark energy is a mysterious antigravity pressure that our Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) is going to help us understand. All we know so far is that it’s present everywhere in the cosmos (even in the room with you as you read this) and it controls the fate of the universe, but WFIRST will study hundreds of millions of galaxies to figure out just what dark energy is up to.

Want to learn some fun ways to celebrate Halloween in (NASA) style? Check out this link!

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com

Bird Symbolism

So I was looking out my window and saw two birds and the idea of making a list of symbolism associated with types of birds came to mind. My mom always taught me if you see an animal -especially if they are doing something out of the ordinary- you should take it as an omen. So here’s a list of some basic birds, some of the associations are personal but I hope you like it!

Blue Jay-the truth will be revealed, high energy, playfulness, clarity and communication.

Cardinal-hope, joy, good health, some associate them with angels or deceased love ones, passion and warmth.

Crow-often associated with magic and witches, transformation, power, intelligence and mystery. 

Duck-friendships, new friends, happiness, good fortune and protect against negative energies “water off a ducks back” :)

Dove-peace, harmony, joy, love, might be telling you to break away from a toxic situation, think positive, often associated with Aphrodite or Jesus or Angels

Eagle-power, leadership, freedom, adventure, breaking free.

Hawk- common as spirit guides, courage, protection, and awareness. 

Hummingbird- I adore hummingbirds and often associate them with faeries. Creativity, joy, love and beauty. Can be a sign that you are moving too fast in life and need to take a break.

Magpie-Magpies represent duality because seeing them can be really good or really bad, I know it’s confusing :/ Seeing a magpie can be a good luck omen and new oppurtunities will appear. They also represent illusion and trickery, maybe someone is being a two-faced friend to you. 

Owl- wisdom, associated with the goddess Athena, intuition, spiritual exploration, change, observation and intelligence.

Raven- associated with the nordic god Odin, mystery, magic, fae magic, knowledge, mischieve, and can be seen as a death omen (but can also mean change) 

Robin- luck, prosperity, good things will happen, joy and your hard work will soon be rewarded. 

Sparrow- associated with Aphrodite, new love and relationships, fertility, team work, time of productivity and stop procrastinating.

Stork-long life, prosperity, fertility, new life, wisdom, take time to relax, motherhood and luck.

Swan- also associated with Aphrodite and Apollo, gracefulness, beauty, music, poetry, creativity, loyalty, and long lasting relationships.

Vulture-death, cleaning up other people’s messes, renewal, patient, use your resources and be perceptive.

Woodpecker- hard work, take advantage of new oppurtunities, attention, progress and determination.

Tip! If you are repeatedly seeing a certain animal or have a strong liking to an animal it could be a way a spirit guide is trying to get your attention (or that animal is just really common in your area lol )

As you die, you wake up in a fiery place. You quickly realize you’re in hell. You ask the next demon why you are there, as you lived a very good life. “You’re not being punished”, he says. “You are the punishment.”

General magick practitioner names, and titles

General names:

Witch - Meaning a practitioner of witchcraft.

Wicca - Meaning old English word for male practitioner of witchcraft.

Wicce - Meaning old English word for female practitioner of witchcraft .

Occultist - Meaning a practitioner of magick.

Wizard - Meaning wise person, much like Sage, or philosopher.

Sage -Meaning wise person.

Wise Man - Meaning a man that is wise.

Wise Woman - Meaning a woman that is wise.

Wise (gender name here) - Meaning a (gender name here) that is wise.

Magician - Meaning a practitioner of magick.

Mage - Meaning a practitioner of magick.

Magus - Meaning practitioner of magick, or a Zoroastrian priest.

Magickan - Meaning a practitioner of magick.

Magican - Meaning a practitioner of magick.

Magick Practitioner - Meaning practitioner of magick.

Practitioner - Meaning a person actively engaged in an art, discipline, or profession.

Spellcaster - Meaning one who sends out spells, and is a practitioner of magick.

Spell Chanter - Meaning one who sends out spells, and is a practitioner of magick. Does not necessarily have to chant.

Charmer - Meaning a practitioner of magick who cast spells upon entities, and constructs.

Thaumaturge - Meaning one who practices thaumaturgy, or low Magic.

Thaumaturgist - Meaning one who practices thaumaturgy, or low Magic.

Theurge - Meaning one who practices theurgy, or high Magic.

Theurgist - Meaning one who practices theurgy, or high Magic.

Mystic - Meaning a practitioner of mysticism.

Seeker - Meaning one who searches for truth, wisdom, knowledge, and/or enlightenment.

Neophyte - Meaning a person who is new to a subject, skill, or belief.

Adept - Meaning a person who is well studied, and practiced in a subject, skill, or belief.

Metaworker -  Meaning a someone who mostly practices energy work, astral travel, and spirit work.

Skill-based names:

Elementalist - Meaning one who works with the elements.

Enchanter - Meaning magickal practitioner who practices enchantment magick.

Enchantress - Meaning female magickal practitioner who practices enchantment magick.

Sorcerer - Meaning a practitioner who summons forth entities to aid them, or do their bidding.

Sorceress - Meaning a female practitioner who summons forth entities to aid them, or do their bidding.

Summoner - Meaning a practitioner who summons forth entities.

Diviner - Meaning a magickal practitioner that practices divination.

Fortune-teller - Meaning a magickal practitioner that practices fortune telling.

Dowser - Meaning a practitioner who uses the divination practice of dowsing.

Soothsayer - Meaning a person who speaks the truth usually relating to a practitioner of divination.

Exorcist - Meaning a practitioner who casts out, and banishes entities.

Astrologer - Meaning a practitioner of astrology.

Astrologist - Meaning a practitioner of astrology.

Demonologist - Meaning a practitioner of demonology.

Alchemist - Meaning a practitioner of Alchemy.

Empath - Meaning a person who receives emotions from other entities, or constructs.

Oracle - Meaning a practitioner who can Divine prophecies, and the will of the Gods.

Necromancer - Meaning a practitioner of necromancy

Palmist - Meaning a practitioner of palmistry

Palmreader - Meaning a practitioner of palmistry

Ritualist - Meaning a practitioner, or authority on ritual practices, or religious rites.

Scryer - Meaning a practitioner of who divines through the act of scrying

Lightworker - Meaning a new age practitioner that tries to better the world through their spiritual understanding of it.

Spiritworker - Meaning a person who works with spirits.

Conjurer - Meaning a practitioner who calls forth entities.

Psychic - Meaning a person who has extra sensory perception.

Medium - Meaning a person who can communicate with spirits, and ghosts.

Shaman - Meaning a practitioner of shamanism.

Chaote - Meaning a practitioner of chaos Magick.

Root Workers - Meaning a practitioner of rootwork, or hoodoo.

Stage magic names:

Illusionist - Meaning a practitioner of stage magic.

Prestidigitator - Meaning a practitioner of stage magic.

Escapologist- an entertainer specializing in escaping from the confinement of such things as ropes, handcuffs, and chains.

If you have any more names, or titles that you would like added to the list, or if you see anything wrong, tell me about them and I would love to add them and/or fix them.

To The Witch Who Doesn’t Feel “Witchy” Enough:

✨You are divine.

✨Witchcraft isn’t a competition.

✨Differences should be celebrated, not lamented.

✨You contain multitudes. Your feelings and perceptions may fluctuate, but you will always be you.

✨What another witch says about you says more about the witch than it does about you.

✨Taking a break from practicing witchcraft doesn’t mean you are taking a break from being a witch.

✨You are what you are, and that is pure magic.

Watch Out For Online Cults

A lot of talk about cults and manipulative people in the community is focused on an in-person level. Things that an in-person group will do, how their control extends into your offline life, but cult behaviors and mindsets can absolutely be used online and may not be as visible or as obvious. Here’s a small, incomplete checklist of things to watch out for, red flags and the like. (Note: I’m not talking about any specific group or individuals here. None of these on their own make a cult, but a lot of them together can potentially mark a toxic environment at least. This isn’t intended to be a diagnostic tool, just things to analyze and reflect on. Please always be safe and don’t let yourself stay in toxic environments whether they “count” as a cult or not.)  

The “leader” can do no wrong. They are not capable of truly making mistakes, or any misstep they do make is quickly explained away or defended by their followers. Any criticism is quickly punished, labeled as problematic, or otherwise shut down. Online, people will often sing the praises of or “lovebomb” the leader after these incidents.

It’s Us vs. Them. Anybody who criticizes the group is an enemy. Anybody who chooses not to be a member of the group must have something wrong with them. Critics/people on the outside just don’t “get it” like they do. The “outside” may be painted as threatening/the group as a safe haven, and opposing viewpoints should not be given any attention, even to consider them critically. You’re discouraged from joining other similar groups.

Using social justice lingo as a way to control people. Manipulators can speak the language too. They may bring up gaslighting, gatekeeping, policing, invalidation, and other things and accuse an individual or group in order to either guilt the person into acquiescing or vilify them to the other members. This is a really effective tactic for shutting someone down.

The leader is elevated or enlightened in some way. They claim to be a deity, or at least closer to the divine/enlightenment than you. They have a more effective/direct line of communication with spirits or entities.They have wisdom or knowledge you must stay with them to take part in. 

Dictating parts of your online life. Members must change their names, icons, speech/typing patterns, etc. to conform to the group. The rules for behavior in an online setting go beyond what is needed to maintain order. Members may be asked to do a lot to “prove” they deserve to be/stay in the group. 

You’re scared to leave. You can’t imagine your online life without this group. You feel like you need the community/resources it provides you. You’re worried members will turn against you if you leave. You’re worried that leaving or voicing concern about the group will have negative repercussions on other platforms. 

So, you want to be a witch?

It can be easy to feel super overwhelmed when you’re first starting off. This post is for very new witches who have limited knowledge and would like a broad overview! These are my opinions, feel free to disagree but be polite about it. 

Spells:

It’s okay to start by using other people’s spells and build the confidence to write your own! Spells can be spoken, or thought (in my opinion). Sometimes speaking spells into existence isn’t always possible.

Casting circles. Many witches cast circles to do spellwork. It involves calling energy from the four directions and building the “omph” to preform the spell. Most of these involve calling upon a deity/deities but you could easily alter them to avoid this, it is not necessary. 

Ingredients. The most important ingredient for a spell is… you! Most spell ingredients can be substituted with more common ingredients, following correspondences. What did that ingredient bring to the spell?

I’ve written a whole “so, you want to be a witch?” post on spells!

Names:

Many witches feel names hold power. 

I personally choose to not share my birth name/everyday name for both this reason, and to protect my privacy. A lot of witches choose a witch name (mine is Mouse!)

Wards: 

Wards are something that I feel are very important for any witch to have. They can be on your being and on your home, and protect from undesired energy and spirits. Picture them as a shield. 

Warding yourself. For me, my wards are my armor. I envision armor forming around me with specific forms of protection and use my energy to make it so. You could also view your ward as a bubble of energy! If you have a hard time with envisioning things, carry something physical (a necklace, crystal, etc.) as your ward.

Warding your home. Again, you could envision it (however you like). I picture light washing over the floors, walls, and ceilings and use my energy to guide it. I also have physical wards. An example would be to make a paper pocket, fill it with herbs, crystals, and sigils, and place in the four corners of your home.

Sigils:

I simply adore sigils, they are like little spells in a physical form (symbols). It’s okay to use sigils created by others.

Sigils are created with a certain phrase in mind, such as “I am happy”. You can then draw them on yourself or on something to carry with you.

Once drawn, you’ll need to do something to activate it. This can be done by forgetting about it, using your energy, or fun things like using the elements or your favorite song. To keep the sigil working, you’ll need to charge it every once and a while. This is the same idea as activating it!

Cleansing:

The ability to cleanse your space and yourself can be extremely valuable, whether it’s in preparation for a spell, or to get rid of the funk of a bad day.

Smoke cleansing. Can be done with sage, bay leaves, or any type of incense. Waft the smoke over yourself or your space.

Water cleansing. I enjoy making a spray with some lovely herbs (like lavender and mint) and spritzing my room or myself. 

The elements/natural world. The wind, the moon, the sun and many other things can act to cleanse as well. 

Divination:

Divination can be overwhelming at first - there’s so many different types! You don’t need to practice divination to be a witch, and you certainly don’t need to learn all of the ways!

Tarot. Tarot cards are cards that have drawings on them and an assigned meaning (usually more than one). They are often used as a way to get advice. The average deck has 78 cards, and a lot of us still use cheat sheets!

Pendulum. Pendulums are often depicted as a crystal hanging from a string, but they can be anything hanging from a string. Different movements mean yes, no, and maybe. Some people use them to communicate with spirits, but this only happens when you invite them.

Runes, scrying, and tasseomancy are also common forms of divination, but ones I am less familiar in! 

Tools:

Crystals, candles, tarot, incense, herbs. All tools. 

They all can boost your abilities and aid your craft, but are not needed. You have all the tools you need in yourself, and in your life. Don’t feel pressured to spend a lot of money on fancy tools right away! It can be beneficial to build your abilities without them, in my opinion!

Using your intuition can lead you to finding/creating some really awesome tools and methods! Let your instincts guide you. 

(Click here for the other parts in this series!)

I did it. I joined the dark side. I made a WitchTok.

In all seriousness, though, I think TikTok’s format is going to work better for short tutorials and educational videos, and it allows me to make more video content since it’s less intense than creating a YouTube video.

Anyways, click here to follow me on TikTok for spell tutorials, embroidery, mini book reviews, and probably occasional rants/raves about my Dungeons & Dragons characters. 😅

it's okay to eat.

it's okay to eat if you've already eaten today.

it's okay to eat if you haven't excerised today.

it's okay to eat if you don't feel like you've "earned" it.

it's okay to eat whatever you want. food has no inherent morality attached to it. eat a cookie, a salad, some noodles - whatever you want. we're trained to see food as the enemy, but it should be so much more! food keeps us alive, and allows us to do every wonderful thing we do every day. food should be your friend. you don't have to earn any type of food, or any at all. food is a necessity.

it's okay to eat. period.