☁ Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - Hedge Magick: Into Other Realms

Merry meet!

Thank you once again to all those who joined in for last week’s Weekly Witchy Challenge - Seasonal Magick :fallen_leaf:

After celebrating the joys of the season, it’s time to go even deeper into the present moment- with the upcoming Sabbat Samhain, the veil between worlds is at its thinnest and the time is ripe for exploration beyond borders :milky_way:

The theme for this week’s challenge was suggested by the wonderful @Kasandra and is…

Hedge Magick Between Worlds Border Realms

:milky_way: :cyclone: Hedge Witchery - Into Other Realms :compass: :cloud:

If you peer past the veil and into the spirit worlds-
What will you find in the realms beyond?

The World of the Fae, the Astral Planes, the Spirit World, Heaven, the Underworld, Liminal Spaces, the far reaches of the Universe, and more- when studying magick, it is likely that one will find many mentions of other worlds, realities, planes, and realms.

There are many possibilities out there to explore, so take some time this week to examine your Craft and see what (if any!) other worlds call to you. And, if you’re feeling particularly daring, perhaps give reaching across or traveling through the veil a try! :cyclone:

This challenge is in the same series as the previous Veil Between Worlds and Liminal Spaces challenges, so please feel free to revisit those challenges and read the challenge entries from your fellow coven members for additional inspiration!

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This week’s theme challenges you to explore/learn about other realms - but as always, how you do so is up to you!

So are you ready? Because it’s…

CHALLENGE TIME!

:bell:


Picture from Ancient Origins: Mysterious Worlds: Travels to the Faerie and Shamanic Realms

STEP 1 : The Worlds Beyond :milky_way:

This challenge is all about learning and exploring the worlds and realms beyond our own- there are an infinite number of ways one might approach this challenge!

Still not sure where to begin?

To help you get started, the following list has a few suggestions in which a witch might approach this challenge.

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:open_book: Realms, Worlds, Realities- Oh My!

There are many realms and locations explored by various traditions and cultures- take some time to explore your own magickal tradition, ancestry, or personal beliefs to see what worlds call to you.

Here are a few you might explore:

  • The Fae
  • The Spirit World
  • Heaven
  • The Underworld
  • Liminal Spaces
  • Astral Planes
  • Alternate Realities
  • Your Inner Temple
  • The Universe
  • Dreams
  • Etc.

Looking for more info on these or other worlds? Use the Search Tool to help you find discussions about what you seek! :mag:

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:evergreen_tree: Hedge Witchcraft

If you read the theme of this challenge and got excited or curious- you may feel called to Hedge Witchery! Hedge witches are witches who specialize or develop skills in crossing over “hedges” aka the borders between worlds.

The reason this particular practice is called hedge riding, hedgecraft, or hedge witchcraft is due to the symbolic nature of a hedge. A hedge, if you are unware, is generally a border between two different lands . The word hedge comes from the Old English word heċġ meaning fence. The hedge in hedge witchcraft is the border between this world and the spirit world.

From Spells8 : Hedge Witchcraft

As part of your entry this week, consider learning more about the world of Hedge Witchery!

All About Hedge Witches: Are You a Hedge Witch?
Are-you-a-Hedge-Witch-min-360x240

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:person_in_lotus_position: Inter-World Travel & Communication

If you’re ready to put your knowledge to the test (or simply feel called to jump right in!), magick offers many ways that one might experience, communicate with, and even visit worlds beyond our physical home.

(Note that some of these practices can take dedicated time and effort to build skills in- don’t be disheartened if they don’t work right away.)

How to Meet and Communicate with Your Spirit Guide
Spirit-Guide-Signs-360x240

How to Talk to Spirits: Mediumship and Psychic Connection
Communicate-with-Spirits-Header-360x240

Lucid Dreaming
8e2e7d8cc451ccf27e61d0daf9199fe492cc7277_2_775x517

All About the Fae: Working With Types of Faeries
Types-of-Fairies-Witchcraft-360x240

Astral Travel and Astral Projection
Astral-Travel-projection-360x240

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:raised_hands: …And More!

What worlds, realms, or realities interest you? How can you creatively explore or work with them in your practice?

The door is open and there are worlds of possibilities- feel free to be creative and unafraid to embrace your own unique practice in how you explore the theme this week! :star2:


Picture by animamundiherbals on Pinterest

STEP 2 : Share Your Experience :writing_hand:

Please click here for notes about challenge inclusivity

Everyone is welcome to join the challenge by practicing magick in line with the current theme. For lurkers and those who don’t feel comfortable sharing, it is absolutely okay to follow along with the challenge but keep your entry personal. Feel free to join in spirit and do what feels most comfortable for you! :blush:

That being said, please know that if you would like to receive a prize and a public shout-out, it is required that you share your experience.

For your entry to be counted towards the challenge, please share:

  1. How you explored/learned about other realms this week

Getting Credit :white_check_mark:

In order for your entry to be counted, all you have to do is write/share about your experience and label it as your challenge entry. There is a lot of chatting here (which is awesome- chatting and discussion are very welcome!) so please clearly write that it is your entry so I know to count it! :pray:

Where Should I Share My Entry? :thinking:

You are welcome to post it right here- just click “reply” :repeat: to this post and write your experience in the text box that pops up!

Alternatively, you could create a new thread in the forum (doing so keeps your entry separate and is a good option if you have a lot to share)

Note : If you do choose to create a new thread, please add the “challenge-entry” tag and/or add a hyperlink back to this post so that it can be easily found- thank you! :bowing_woman:



Deadline :spiral_calendar:

:exclamation: This challenge will close in 6 DAYS :exclamation:

To join in, please share your experience by:

Tuesday, November 1st at 7:00 AM CET (Central European Time)
( 2022-11-01T06:00:00Z)

(Note that the time zone is CET- you can use this time zone calculator to switch into your time zone!)


Prizes :gift:

For their efforts, all participants will receive a special shout-out and a small prize! :gift:

Acknowledgments will be given in a Props and Presents Post that will appear in the forums on Tuesday.

After the challenge closes, you are still very welcome to post but please be aware that no additional prizes will be given. This discussion will remain open for about a week after the challenge finishes.

:gift_heart: :gift: :gift_heart:

astral travel
Picture from InsightTimer: Astral Projection Guided Practice

A warm reminder that all challenges are designed to be very open- everyone is encouraged to participate in a way that honors and reflects their unique practice :open_book:

If you have any doubts about if something is acceptable to post or say, please double-check with the Forum FAQ and/or reach out to your friendly Moderator Team .

And for those new to challenges- welcome! :heart: Know that the goal of these activities is to help you further diversify and strengthen your abilities and to bring together the Spells8 forum family to inspire and support one another in creative ways :hugs:


Picture from Pixabay

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Close your eyes but open the door-
Look beyond, where there’s so much more
Realms and planes of which to pursue-
There are worlds out there waiting for you!

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Blessed be! :cloud::sparkles:

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Huh. This one is going to be difficult for me, I’ve tried to connect to my spirit guide before and never had any luck. We’ll see how I do this time!

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@BryWisteria oh yes now we’re talking my kind of my magik!!! Woohoo. I have a few things i can post after a bit that might help make this challenge a bit easier @Amethyst

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Ooh, thank you! I appreciate all the help I can get!

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@Amethyst always

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Challenge Entry

So i thought i would post a few things to help some out for this week’s challenge. As i know many witchs see the word “hedge” a freak out, at least that has been my experience. Ive been ostracized bc im a hedge. But thats not the point here. I have a few exercises and tips that may help.

These are from a book called “The Crooked Path” by Kelden







(upload://6J0GlANBjylEqgsx93PKdknwJPj.jpeg)

Hope this helps. Many blessings to u all. With lots of love, enjoy your day.

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Challenge Entry

Also from “The Crooked Path” by Kelden is a recipe for a Non Toxic Flying Ointment.

PLEASE USE WITH CAUTION, AND USE WISELY

TRIGGER WARNING :warning:

Centuries ago flying ointments or salves were made from ingredients that we today wouldnt use IE: animal fat, bird blood, the fat of a young child, belladonna, datura, henbane, and mandrake. The fats and blood were discontinued mainly bc of the disgust factor. It was later found that belladonna, mandrake, henbane, and datura all belonged to the Solananceae family, which is also known as Nightshade, and has all been deemed posionous. And ALL been known to have hallucinogenic properties just on their own, could u image the effects if combined (and they where). So yes it was believed u were flying, thats only if and seldomly when the taker didnt die. One of the misconceptions about witches flying is that we dont fly on this physical plane. Thats one of the wonderful aspects of The Otherworld. Flying ointment can be purchased at stores, as for me i would never purchase it, bc u never know what u are getting. Unless u trust that person explicitly.

Thats just my opinion there are some very good reputable shops out there, please please please check out the creator’s credentials, and their customer reviews, and thats for ANY purchase. Making your own is great bc u can set your own intention, but it can also be extremely dangerous if u dont have the necessary knowledge of herbs and how they work on the body. For this reason I will only share this Non-posionous recipe.

OPTIONAL TIP:]When using flying ointments its recommended to have your broom (besom) or a stang at the ready to make your flight easier.
THIS IS MINE

NON-TOXIC FLYING OINTMENT RECIPE


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I’ve been waiting for this challenge to explore Dragon World for the first time! According to the book Mystical Dragon Magick, Dragon World is in the Middle World of the Otherworld, next to Faery Land. Dragon World has three gates made of dark wood which open on iron hinges. Here, dragons rest and hatch their eggs. There is a sacred area in Dragon World called The Circles of Distant Truths, a triple ring of monolithic stones, cold to the touch, and covered in lichen and moss. When you walk to the center, the stones become translucent, and will provide you with some insight into ancient dragon history. You will need your dragon teacher to understand.
I will try to go here and see what I can learn.

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OH. I have almost all these ingredients. Poplar buds I think I could scavenge. And I finally found a broom I like. I cannot wait to try this out!

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Now this one I am excited about. With Samhain around the corner and working with Hades and Hel, trips to the Underworld are right up my alley!

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Ok my local (well not so local - maybe about 45 minutes away) C&S got in some Moldavite pieces. I have heard and read the rumblings about the power of Moldavite and how it is not a crystal for beginners. I figured I have been properly working with and collecting crystals for just over a year now.

This was a few weeks ago now so I said to myself that I will buy myself a piece now while you see it (sometimes with crystals you gotta grab it while it’s there or you miss out)and I will work with it when I feel ready. Well maybe this could be a good reason to dip my toe into working with my new Moldavite baby. I will also be working with Smoky Quartz for grounding so I don’t fly off too far and also some Obsidian for protection. Wish me luck buttercup. Oooo I also have a piece of Meteorite, maybe I can compare working with Moldavite to working with Meteorite.

Shout out to my beloved C&S for without them I wouldn’t have half of my collection.

Moldavite for Astral Travel

Due to its extraterrestrial nature, Moldavite is the prime pick for astral travel meditations. Feel yourself floating up and out of this world when you hold Moldavite during your meditations. The high vibration of Moldavite allows you to leave your physical body quickly and embark on a journey into the stars.

Moldavite for Channeling

Moldavite connects you to the alien realm. It is a highly recommended tool for channeling alien life and civilizations from beyond. Moldavite brings you messages through visions, whispers, and intuition. Grab a protection stone in one hand and a Moldavite stone in the other while you engage in this esoteric, yet evolutionary, practice.

Credit to:

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Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - Hedge Magick: Into Other Realms ENTRY

This Challenge might be a little difficult. I need to get started on some research and reading…But I Love a Challenge. So, with that being said, I might go back to the other challenges I missed and maybe I can incorporate one to assist with this challenge.

Blessed Be my sister Witches,
Medea

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If there was ever a time of year to do spirit work, it would be now- I hope that things align and you have a better experience this time, Amethyst! Good luck! :heart:

I haven’t seen this myself, but I also don’t usually spend too much time with Hedge Witchery- I’m really sorry if you were treated poorly, Christeena :pray:. Perhaps it’s because Hedge Magick isn’t well understood? Though that’s still not an excuse for ostracizing a fellow witch :slightly_frowning_face:

Hopefully this challenge will help bring this area of magick more into the light- just like any area of magick or any of the witch labels, it’s not inherently “good” or “bad” or “normal” or “weird”- it’s just one area of knowledge whose application will depend on the witch.

Thank you so much for the recipes- both versions as well as the very important safety notes as well! :raised_hands:

The only place I want to be flying is in dreams (be they lucid or normal) or safely on a plane with a pilot in charge lol, but it’s really neat to see these recipes! :star_struck: You have such a great collection of wisdom, Christeena- thank you for sharing them! :broom: :sparkles:

This is so exciting- and if there was ever a time of year to embark on such a journey, now would be it when the veil is thin! Wishing you safe travels and a wonderful experience :heart: Please let us know how it goes for you!

May Hades and Hel welcome you on your exciting visit- good luck and safe travels, Amaris! :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

It sounds like you are ready to dive into this stone and the wonders it can open up for you- good luck and blessed work with Moldavite, Jessica! :gem::blush:

No fear, Medea- I’m sure your studies and skills will help you guide you to some exciting new wisdom and experiences! Wishing you all the best with exploring Hedge Witchery- good luck and blessed be! :heart:

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I meditated this morning and got the name of my Guardian and Spirit Guide, thanks to one of @Mistress_Of_Herbs’s videos, but I don’t know how much of it was real and how much was imagination. I’ll have to research and see.

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Thank you for your words of encouragement! :woman_mage: :sparkling_heart:

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Hedge Magick: Into Other Realms Challenge Entry: The Stang In Hedge Riding

Resources:

  • “Liber Nox” by Michael Howard
  • “Besom, Stang, & Sword” by Christopher Orapello & Tara Love Maguire

Hedgewitchery makes up about 90% of my practice… so I am excited to share and read everyone’s entries this week!! :smile: For myself, I mainly work this darker half of the year with Cernunnos in his darker aspect as a psychopomp. From Samhain to Winter Solstice he helps to collect souls, soothing them and assisting them to the Underworld. So, during this time I love to honor Cernunnos, my Norse ancestry, and the concept of “Veil Walking or Hedge Riding” by incorporating a Stang into my ritual and workings.
Screenshot (240)
(Each prong has a Clear Quartz embedded and the “Web of Wyrd” rune has been wood burned into it.)

From “Liber Nox”:
“The stang or “forked staff” is one of the many tools used in traditional witchcraft. It is usually made from the wood of ash, oak, or yew trees. The name stang comes from an Old Norse and Middle English word meaning a pole. In Northern England, there was a folk custom known as “Riding the Stang” used by vigilantes to drive moral wrongdoers and anti-social troublemakers out of the village. In that folk tradition context, the stang was a symbolic representation of a horse.” This excerpt suggests that the concept of the stang can correlate with hedge witchery and how countryfolk at that time would jump the hedges of properties while on horseback.

“The traditional role of the stang in the ritual is usually to represent the Horned God. In this respect, it can have a phallic meaning as the male aspect of the life force that permeates and animates the natural world and is depicted as the Green Man. However, that is when it has two forks or prongs like horns. In the old Devonshire Craft, there is also a three-pronged stang like a trident representing the Goddess.”

“The stang also symbolizes the Axis Mundi or the World Pillar or the World Tree (Yggdrasil in Norse mythology) that reaches up through the three realms - the Underworld (the land of the dead), Middle Earth (the material world) and the Upper World (heaven or the realm of the Old Gods) to the Pole Star around which all the stars appear to revolve in the heavens.”

From “Besom, Stang, & Sword”:
“The stang is an emblem of wood, an altar of the land spirits, and is closely tied to the paths of both herbalism and hedgewitchery. It is a tall, forked staff, designed to be reminiscent of a tree, uniting the Above with the Below. It is the Axis Mundi, or World Tree, found in Norse mythology, Russian folklore, and Haitian Vodou practice, as well as in many other diverse cultures and systems.”

How I Use My Stang In Ritual:
Before casting circle, I will typically do a Crossroads Rite with my Stang. The Stang is ritually raised to unite the worlds after laying the quarters, Above and Below, and to permit me to travel between.

  • Crossroads Rite by “Besom, Stang, & Sword”:
    Crossroads Rite

Standing slightly east and forward from where you were just seated, face the east. If you have a stang or staff, hold it in your left hand with one end touching the ground. If you don’t have a stang or staff…you can drag your left foot. Say the following aloud, addressing the space as you do so:
From the east, I go to west.

Turn and take three steps to the west, dragging the stang so that it inscribes the ground, marking a trail. Now, standing three steps to the west, turn right and say:
About to north.

Continuing to drag your stang or foot, walk one-quarter of a circle around to the north. Then turn right, face the south, and say:
And then to south.

As you take three steps, crossing the center of the space, say:
Crossing roads as I go about.

Facing south, turn right and, continuing to drag your stang or foot, walk one-quarter of the way around the circle to the west and say:
Laying the ground for a witch’s work.

In the west, turn right and walk three steps to the east. Say:
Down at the crossroads is where I vow.

In the east, turn right and, continuing to drag your stang or foot, walk one-quarter of the way around the circle to the south. Say:
To meet with she and he and they and thou.

In the south, turn right and walk three steps to the north. Say:
Upon this night, and in this hour.

In the north, turn right and, continuing to drag your stang or foot, walk one-quarter of the way around the circle to the east, completing the rite. Say:
I call upon thee to beseech thy power.

Then I like to stand in the middle of the crossroads, raising my stang I say:
I take a step and travel forth, To journey, beyond, up, and down. From top of tree, to solid ground.

I travel through, betwixt I know, Between the worlds and hedges go.

Over the hill and down the way, To claim the night and rule the day. By east, by south, by west, and north I take a step and travel forth.

Then I stamp my stang 3 times on the ground and then cast circle.

Consecrating A Stang:

This is for anyone interested in consecrating a Stang. You will need your stang, a liquid offering, and a bread offering. This is best done on a Full Moon or at noon in Full Sun. Also, feel free to adjust anything to fit your practice, deity, or patron.

Once the crossroads are established, call the corners, and walk from the east to the center of the space. Strike 3 times upon the ground (or floor) with the Stang, then pause and begin to softly chant the names of the Horned Gods to raise energy*; "Cernunnos, Herne, Baphomet, Pan, Dionysus, Amun”* then holding up the Stang to the moonlight/sunlight call upon the Horned Gods using the following words:

“Oh, Great Horned God of Wilderness and the Hunt, I, (Name), call upon you and invite you into this circle. I offer this humble tool, this Stang as a sign of my love and honor. I ask that you bless and consecrate this Stang with your power so that it may be a symbol of my connection with you and the path of magician/shaman that I am walking. Let this Stang be an altar of the land spirits, uniting the Above with the Below. Let this Stang be the Axis Mundi, the World Tree, the key to opening and closing all gateways. May this Stang be a sign of my connection to the wyrd of all things.”

"Uniter of Worlds, Grant me your passion and permit me your blessing, As I embark upon this journey on this full moon night. From this time forth and when I take this Stang in my hands, be my guide to the greater realms, Throughout, about, above, and below, As I desire—it is so!”

With liquid offering:
"With this (beverage), the blood of the land— May it fill me with your passion and thus— It is so."

With bread offering:
'With this bread, made of the land, May it fill me with your blessing, and thus— It is so."

Eat a single piece of bread, then scatter pieces of it to the east, south, west, and north. If you are performing this rite indoors, break off four pieces of bread, hold up each in turn to its appropriate direction, then place them into the offering bowl.

Then leave the stang under the full moon or sun for a few hours to charge.

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@mary25 oh thats wonderful.

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@Amethyst ooooooo thats so exciting.

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My ‘hedging’ is usually in the woods and involves dancing, bonfire and music — Alas, I cannot do that with the chemo treatments and my now broken leg (thanks new moon in scorpio), so…. I’m looking forward to doing something from bed!!! This whole bed-bound life is for the birds!
:bed:

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This whole entry made me shiver! Thank you so much for sharing, and your stang is beautiful!

I know, right? Now I just have to figure out what to do! LOL!

I’m so sorry you are bedbound, love. But hey, maybe that’ll help you get into astral projection!

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