F(a)eri(e) Goddesses of the Primal Elements (5/5)

And now I am pleased to unveil the final installment of my F(a)eri(e) Goddesses of the Primal Elements series: Sugma'ad, The Well of Stars:

Sugma'ad, The Well of Stars

©2011 Storm Faerywolf

The Goddesses of the Primal Elements are unique Underworld forces that serve as an energetic blueprint for the physical elements that we know of in the Middleworld.

Beyond even the pre-extant elemental forms lies the conscious possibility of them. This consciousness is the Sugma’ad; the Star God/dess. S/he appears in a multitude of forms, most notably a woman with jet-black skin with the head of a lioness and great wings of a bat. In this "teaching visualization" from the Bloodrose line, S/he sits on a throne of polished onyx with the silver egg of creation resting in Her lap. S/he is the primal God/dess of creation; the great cosmic womb from which all things emerge and into which all things return. S/he is life and oblivion all in one; the beautiful and terrible explosion of chaos and possibility.

And now that I'm done with this series... what should I tackle next???

F(a)eri(e) Goddesses of the Primal Elements (4/5)

All hail Verr-Avna, Goddess of the Primal Earth in the North!

"Verr-Avna, The Deep Well of Space"

©2011 Storm Faerywolf

The Goddesses of the Primal Elements are unique Underworld forces that serve as an energetic blueprint for the physical elements that we know of in the Middleworld.

This strange Goddess is the presence of earthly matter and space, and the processes of energy coalescing into a tangible form. She is depicted here among a tomb and also a fetus; reminding us that birth and death are one and the same. Verr-Avna often appears to me as a decomposing corpse wearing a black wedding dress! In my work with Her She would often perform feats of physical prowess unattainable by the human form, such as walking on walls or the ceiling, as if to demonstrate that physical laws do not bind her, because she is physical law, which includes those laws that we have yet to discover. Here she is shown with a backdrop of stars, reminding us that the earth element --the element of manifest creation-- goes far, far beyond the confines of just our own planet. It is She who tends the Great Cauldron in the Underworld and gives form to those intangible energies of life that would otherwise remain inert. She is the great womb and tomb in one; the eternal presence of death that feeds and gives birth to life. She walks calmly among dark branches, which also grow out of her hair, entangling our own planet to show that we are bound by her laws.  She is life; She is death. She is Verr-Avna.

Verr-Avna

Primal Goddess of the Earth

Deep Well of Space and Outer Dark

Who tends the Cauldron,

Who giveth form
From death into life

Through your womb all life is born!

F(a)eri(e) Goddesses of the Elements (3/5)

This is a day later than I had originally intended, but here is my latest piece, "Heva Leviathan Tiamat, The Well of the Watery Abyss"

"Heva Leviathan Tiamat, The Well of the Watery Abyss"
©2011 Storm Faerywolf

In the Feri tradition, the Goddess of Water is Heva Leviathian Tiamat. She is the primal limitless chaos that precedes life and form. From the cthonic darkness of the Underworld she emerges; rising up into manifestation in the Middleworld as the churning womb of the oceans that birth all life. 

She often appears to me as a breaking of primal waters... opening up from the darkness below the waves and rising up to the surface. Sometimes she is the kraken itself; many tentacles stretching from the dark unknown waters below. She is the primal waters of birth; that which gave life to this planet and in fact sustains all life. But she is also the terrible unforgiving waves that lead to destruction.

----

She rises from the primal seas
With the setting sun she rises
From the madness of the dream
From darkness into form

Which soon gives way

into the deep

deep waters of the abyss.

New Workshop

Spiritual Cleansing: Purification Rites for the Self and Home

with Storm Faerywolf

Saturday, August 27; 3-5pm

$20

Location: The Mystic Dream, Walnut Creek, CA

Every religion and spiritual path has knowledge of practices for the purpose of cleansing the soul of that which ails us. Whether this be in the form of anger, grief, worry, negative energy or "evil sprits", we can take control of our selves and our environments to banish unwanted spirits and energies and attract those things that are beneficial. Together we will discuss herbs, stones, symbols and rituals from various cultures and traditions and combine what we have learned into a simple rite to cleanse ourselves leaving us feeling purified and free.

Call 925-933-2342 to register with a credit card over the phone, or visit above link for more info.

Many threads within the Cord

Owning a magical and spiritual supply store has been my dream since I was a little boy. I remember always being fascinated with magic and the occult, and told my mother when I was 2 years old that when I grew up I was going to be a witch. So now, today my husband and I own our own shop, The Mystic Dream, where we are happy to provide magical advice and instruction to those in need, as well as quality blended magical products from our apothecary, drawing from the various magical traditions that we each practice.

First and foremost, I consider myself a priest, which I define as someone whose spiritual calling is to be a "mediator of Divine presence". My approach has been to combine the knowledge gained through my study, practice, and initiations into various witchcraft, magical, and spiritual systems in a way that honors them all, underneath the umbrella of my own conscience and divine authority.

Some see all eclectic and syncretic approaches to magic as being shallow, but this is a judgment based on observing only those instances in which such approaches are lacking mastery in their work. While it is true that some "dig many shallow wells", instead of a single one deeply, this does not preclude the possibility of digging many deep wells... or if you prefer, drawing from many threads of power and weaving them together into a singular cord of powerfully informed practice.

We have been working with a lot of different ideas lately. Different lines of magical thought and products... different styles of poetry and approach... I love being able to use the tools and current of the F(a)eri(e) witchcraft tradition and folkloric-faery practice, alongside Reiki, Shamanic work, Hoodoo & Conjure, just to name a few of the traditions and spiritual systems that I am a part of. In Feri it is taught that "All Gods are Feri Gods", and I believe that this approach is appropriate when extended out into the various cultures and practices of which many of us can claim genetic or spiritual lineage. I draw from Irish folk-tales in my spiritual work, as well as use Hoodoo Conjure Oils with Feri exercises and Daoist-inspired energy work and Reiki. Feri is syncretic and will use whatever gets results. I find my best results come from using what inspires be in the moment, instead of constantly drawing from the same source over and over again. Feri in this respect is a type of "chaos magic" in that different mythical and artistic paradigms can be employed at different times and still be seen as traditional within the Feri worldview. Sometimes this is hard for some people as it can be seen as "moving away" from traditional established norms; but let us remember that Feri is not about dogma, but about creation. We shouldn't be "re-inventing the wheel", but instead inventing new forms of travel altogether. I'll see that wheel, and raise a car.

So then have we been creating vehicles for our various artistic and spiritual approaches:

Modern Conjure is where we are highlighting the magical work that we offer to clients. Here you can find oils, salts, waters, mojo hands, and more... all for your particular magical needs. Schedule a tarot reading... have a magical consultation in which we help create a spell for you to perform --or have us perform it for you. We are happy to Dress candles, Set Lights, perform private rituals (either in-person or remotely), and cast spells on your behalf.

BlueRose is my lineage and school of F(a)eri(e) tradition witchcraft, which stems from the teachings and lineage of Victor & Cora Anderson. Initiates and students together are building a space for Feri practitioners who wish to explore and deepen our understanding of this wildly diverse form of American Witchcraft. 

Witch Eye is an annual magazine devoted to the F(a)eri(e) tradition, full of art, articles, spells, and lore of interest to practitioners of our tradition. 

BlueLotus is our school and lineage of Reiki. The energetic lineage that I pass draws from multiple sources: First, Usui-Tibetan, which provides the traditional Japanese tradition of Reiki with additional symbols and material for spiritual development and healing, and second, Blue Fire which originated with Carrie Hammond in 2006 and combines the practices and approach of Reiki with the energetics of blue fire from the Feri tradition.

Carnivalia  is the website, workshop, and mad dream of my husband, Chas Bogan. Here we sell occult items of a aesthetically darker nature, including Spiritual Talking Boards, original altar statuary, and blended oils & waters for various magical purposes. I am happy to contribute art for talking boards and written spells for this project.

The Modern Witch Podcast is the vehicle for our boyfriend, Devin Hunter, to which I am a regular contributor. Enjoy discussions of a magical nature, along with music and interviews with some of Pagandom's most interesting and creative artists & teachers. I am often a guest, participating in round-table discussions centering around issues relevant to magic and witchcraft.

We've also been thinking a lot about art and products made specifically with gay practitioners of the Craft in mind... our new line, "Dandy Warlock" will soon have oils, bath salts, creams, soaps, ritual tools, art, and accessories for the discerning and stylish practitioners the Black Arts (and by Black Arts I of course mean those that are slimming.) ;) 

And all of these projects and services are available through our store, The Mystic Dream, and of course through my own website, www.faerywolf.com. In the weeks and months to come we hope to streamline them together to make it easier to navigate and find exactly what you are looking for.

So... we've been busy. Stay tuned for further developments!

F(a)eri(e) Goddesses of the Primal Elements (2/5)

This week I am happy to unveil the 2nd installment of my Goddesses series. Hail, Tana!

In Feri, Tana is the Goddess of Fire. From the Underworld she rises into the Middleworld in the form of plasma; matter gleaming with chaos and possibility. Her power transforms us, invigorates us... but also burns and consumes. All flames are Her flames; the candle light... the bonfire... the blazing forest... the unimaginable nuclear explosion at the heart of every star... all flames are Her flame.

She lights the way toward truth. She paves the way through lust. She lures us with Her dance of seduction. She frees us by burning through all illusion.

She is depicted here with multiple arms, which to me implies constant movement. She is faceless because --as a being of the Underworld-- She is ultimately unknowable in Her entirety. A blazing white-hot star explodes from Her very core, and She radiates outward; giving of Her very body to nourish the Universe and transform it. The old is stripped away and given new form. Through destruction, She creates.

---

Hail, Tana! Scarlet lust!
Build and rise,
the flame ignites
Build and rise,
the flame grows hot.
Consume and burn
Exploding chaos,
Searing madness,
Living truth!

---

Next week: Heva Leviathan Tiamat, the Goddess of Water.