🗣 Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - Multilingual Magick

Merry meet!

Thank you once again to all those who joined in for last week’s Weekly Witchy Challenge - Wholesome Healers :mending_heart:

After appreciating the golden hearts of the healers, this week is all about putting a silver tongue to work- it’s time to speak up about the linguistics of magick :speaking_head:

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

Multilingual lingo magick language spells words Spells8 Challenge

:speaking_head: :sparkles: Multilingual Magick :books::magic_wand:

The wonders of the world are wide open to a word-wielding witch!

In the same series as Wizardry of Words and The Spell-ing Bee, this challenge puts the spotlight on the verbal and linguistic aspects of casting. But here’s the tongue-twisting twist: this challenge asks you to open your mind and experiment with adding a new or non-native language to your casting this week.

Why cast using other words/languages?

There are many ways to communicate with your deities, higher self, the Universe, fellow witches around the world, spirits and more- not all of them are restricted to verbal interactions, and not all are able to be done within the confines of a single language.

Sometimes, choosing to use a new language can open new doors and create opportunities. Other times, using a certain language or word is a sign of respect and goodwill to a treasured deity.

There are many benefits to opening your mind, increasing your abilities, and adding even just a few previously-unknown words to your magickal practice can help your practice evolve in exciting ways :woman_mage: :open_book:

A friendly reminder that languages are often intricately tied to cultures- please be extra respectful and mindful if you choose to pursue a “living” language that is still being used by a cultural group in the world today

Aren’t familiar with any foreign languages?

No worries! This challenge is not asking you to learn a new language in a week (an impossible task for most of us!). Like all challenges, this challenge is purely about stepping beyond your usual or comfort zone to incorporate a new element in your practice- in this case, new words. Please continue reading to find some suggestions that may work for you and your practice :blush:

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This week’s theme challenges you to explore languages in your magickal practice - but as always, how you do so is up to you!

So are you ready? Because it’s…

CHALLENGE TIME!

:bell:


From the Alchemy Website: 72 Magical and Other Related Alphabets

STEP 1 : Magickal Linguistics 101 :speaking_head:

This challenge is all about exploring languages and how they can affect and enhance your magick- there are certainly many ways to do so!

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! :sparkles:

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:raido: Runes: The Sacred Alphabet

Often used in divination, runes are extremely popular with those who use them for insight, protection, and for contact with deities in the Norse Pantheon :zap:

Casting Runes: The Sacred Alphabet of Wisdom & Magic
Casting-Runes-Video-Course

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:deciduous_tree: Language of the Trees

The Ogham is an ancient written alphabet based on sacred trees. Although not spoken, each letter in the Ogham carries symbolism and can be incorporated into spellwork.

The Ogham: The Irish Tree Language
image

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:place_of_worship: Deities of the World

Take some time this week to appreciate your deities- is there a certain culture they have ties to? You may choose to pursue other names they go by, prayers in the language where they come from, or simply take some time to honor their story and roots.

The Egyptian Pantheon
Egyptian-Wiccan-Devotional-Prayers-360x240

The Roman Pantheon
Roman-Deities-Wiccan-Prayers-Devotionals-1-360x240

The Greek Pantheon
Greek-Devotionals-360x240

The Celtic Pantheon
Celtic-Devotionals-Wicca-360x240

To find more deities from around the world, you can check out the Dealing in the Divine Challenge

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:eye_in_speech_bubble: Opening mouth and mind

While the Spells8 forum is an English-based space, we are very blessed to have members from all over the world and of numerous linguistic abilities.

If you speak a language other than English, feel free to experiment with casting, communicating with higher powers, or ritualwork in your native language or other language you are studying :open_book:

Does it matter what language you cast spells in?

How to Write Your Own Spells

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…And More!

As always, you are free to pursue the intricate world of magickal linguistics in whatever way best suits your unique magickal practice :blush:

witchcraft and languages
From Tarot Pugs: Why Spells in a Foreign Language are Mystical AF



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.

To participate in the challenge, please share:

  1. How you explored language in magick this week

For your entry to be counted, please write about your experience in the comments below and/or create a new thread in the forums.

Note : If you choose to create a new thread, please tag the challenge by adding a hyperlink back to this post so that I can easily find it- thank you! :bowing_woman:


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

To join in, please share your experience by:

Tuesday, August 16th at 7:00 AM CET (Central European Time)
( 2022-08-16T05:00:00Z )

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

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:



From the Gypsy Thread: The Witch’s Alphabet

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:


From Recipes for Wellbeing

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Package your intent in pretty words
To send out on the sound of your voice-
Whichever words you choose to wield,
They carry the power of your choice!

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Blessed be! :speaking_head: :sparkles:

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Look at all these synchronicities :speaking_head: I’ve just been thinking about how I need to ramp up my Irish language learning!

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I have been thinking about learning Latin and there are signs everywhere! This is the perfect confirmation. :heart:

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Wonderful I’m in

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This is perfect!! I just purchased a new journal to use as my BoS and plan to do it’s dedication this weekend. I was thinking about doing it in a way that honors the God and Goddess I work with (Greek and Norse, respectively). :thinking::thinking::thinking::thinking: So now I’m not only writing the dedication but translating too, lol!

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I wanted to get in on this challenge early, as I spent most of the last challenge thinking I’d already completed it and then realized I hadn’t when it was too late. Anyway, I decided to do a simple tea spell and write a little somethin’ somethin’. :grinning:
For the tea, I used Buddha Teas Crown Chakra Tea (which has: gotu kola, lavender, rose petals, and nutmeg) and also added lemon balm for soothing (the ADHD has been out of control lately), ginger for warmth, and local honey for sweetness.
I wrote a spell in Latin, (which really turned out to be more of an affirmation) and chanted it while I prepared my tea. It rhymes in English, but not in Latin. Not that it needed to rhyme or anything, I just have fun rhyming things. :rofl:

The Universe guides me and helps me shine my light.
Universus me gubernat et adiuvat ut luceat lux mea.
The highest good for all is in my sight.
Summum bonum omnium est in conspectu meo.
I’m grateful for all the blessings I’ve received.
Habeo gratiam pro omnibus bonis quae accepi.
May unity and magic be now achieved.
Sit unitas et magicae nunc fieri.

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Los studen (Excellent)!
Zu’u laan pela lingrah “devotional” fah Veaug voth Dovahzul (I want to write a long devotional to Veaug in Dovahzul).
Grahk, grahk, zu’u mindok ni praagek, nuz zu’u laan (Yes, yes, I know that it’s not necessary, but I want to)!

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Huh. This will take some thought. Does Pig Latin count? LOL!

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Oh wow! This sounds soooo interesting, I have never done this before!
I’ll think of something and give it a go for sure!:heart_eyes:

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There was a pin that I had saved in one of many Pinterest boards that was a list of witch power words with different associations for different spell intentions. Do you think I can find it. Grumble grumble. Any who in my perusing Pinterest I found this pin which lead me to this link about the use of an oldie but quite possibly a goodie … “abracadabra” I thought I might give it a go with a few simple spells and see how I go. I just found this a really interesting read.

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I’m super excited to be apart of this! Newbie to the site so very curious to see what all this has to offer :heart: guess I’ll be tapping into some very old roots tied with Poland/Russia to try to get some magick words going!

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Ich sprache deutsch.
I’ll use German for this challenge

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@MeganB Hahaha it’s a sign! :grinning: That is so cool that you are studying Irish- good luck and have fun with your learning! :heart:

@BrightBear Latin is such a cool language- I really regret not choosing it as my language in high school! Oh, the spellwork possibilities :smiling_face_with_three_hearts: Exhibit A right here- this is a gorgeous chant (and it’s a tea chant too! Bonus points from your fellow tea lover!!! :tea::heart:) in English and goodness does it look mighty impressive in Latin too. Beautiful work, BrightBear! :clap:

@john.knox Hooray! Good luck with your German studies! :books::sparkles:

@Amaris_Bane That is such a powerful way to dedicate your new BoS- I am sure your deities will appreciate the gesture :blush: Translating is tough work but it’s also fun and very rewarding- I hope you enjoy the process! :two_hearts:

@Kasandra I say go for it! :partying_face: Good luck and have fun with your long devotional- I am sure Veaug will appreciate your work :dragon_face: :sparkles:

@Amethyst I don’t see why not- I think that would be fun to write a chant in Pig Latin! :star_struck:

@WitchOfTheForest Hooray! :tada: Wishing you all the best with it- can’t wait to see how you choose to tackle the challenge! :blush:

@Jessica72 That is an awesome article- I never knew that about Abracadabra! It sure looks impressive when it’s written out in the triangle. That is really cool, thank you so much for sharing, Jessica! :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

@dixie Merry meet and welcome, Dixie! :heart: That is so exciting- my partner is Polish and I spend a lot of time over in Poland, but I’m still a newbie when it comes to Slavic pagan traditions. It’s always very exciting to learn more- I’m really looking forward to hearing about your magick word exploration! Hope you have fun and enjoy the process :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

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Welcome, @dixie!! My name is Amaris (Jessica) and I’m an eclectic pagan green/kitchen witch in Texas. I’m fairly new to the craft with about 2.5 years “under my broom.” You will love it here! These weekly challenges are so much fun. They give you a chance to try something new or push outside your comfort zone.

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I was joking but now I’m considering it. It’s either that or Klingon. I’m not good with other languages! LOL!

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This reminds me of when I saw Stargate for the first time and the Egyptologist mocks the translation the team had before his arrival, and says, “They must have used Budge; I don’t know why they keep printing his books.” I about died, because I owned Vol II of his Hieroglyphic Dictionary and had tried to memorize it. I could sense the deep cut of that line of dialogue. I haven’t found a hieroglyphic dictionary anywhere else, but that was long before the Internet was here to help us! Guess I know what I’ll be doing for this challenge!

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107. WEEKLY WITCHY CHALLENGE - Multilingual Magic

Challenge Entry - Garnet.

Please forgive my use of ‘Bing’*

To translate this spell with a ‘zing’.*

To anyone who wants to use this rhyme*

Take it now and any time.

A Healing for - name

I call upon name Power

For help in the needy hour

For a person worthy and fair,

I Plead a healing and your regal care.

I ask that from the body you now pull

The illness ailing name now, to cull.

To the Gods and universe, I now call

Build up, for healing, a golden wall

Blessings upon the healing wall

Upon which illness always falls

Let sickness slide

So, to stay alive

And allow name again to thrive.

As it is said, so let it be.

ARABIC translation

شفاء ل ____

أدعو ______ السلطة

للمساعدة في الساعة المحتاجة

لشخص جدير وعادل ،

أتوسل الشفاء ورعايتك الملكية.

أطلب أن تسحب الآن من الجسم

المرض المريض __ الآن ، لإعدام.

إلى الآلهة والكون ، أدعو الآن

بناء ، للشفاء ، جدار ذهبي.

البركات على جدار الشفاء

الذي يقع عليه المرض دائما

دع المرض ينزلق

لذلك ، للبقاء على قيد الحياة

والسماح ل _____ مرة أخرى بالازدهار.

كما يقال ، فليكن ذلك.

GREEK translation

Μια θεραπεία για ____

Επικαλούμαι _____ Δύναμη

Για βοήθεια την ώρα που έχει ανάγκη

Για ένα άτομο άξιο και δίκαιο,

Παρακαλώ μια θεραπεία και τη βασιλική σας φροντίδα.

Ζητώ από το σώμα που τραβάτε τώρα

Η αρρώστια που πάσχει ____ τώρα, να θανατωθεί.

Στους Θεούς και το σύμπαν, καλώ τώρα

Δημιουργήστε, για θεραπεία, έναν χρυσό τοίχο.

Ευλογίες στον θεραπευτικό τοίχο

Σε ποια ασθένεια πέφτει πάντα

Αφήστε την ασθένεια να γλιστρήσει

Έτσι, για να μείνετε ζωντανοί

Και αφήστε τα _____ και πάλι να ευδοκιμήσουν.

Όπως λέγεται, έτσι ας είναι.

HEBREW translation

ריפוי ל____

אני קוראת ל______ כוח

לעזרה בשעה נזקקת

לאדם ראוי והוגן,

אני מפציר בריפוי ובטיפול המלכותי שלך.

אני מבקשת מהגוף שאתם מושכים עכשיו

המחלה החולה ____ עכשיו, כדי לחטוף.

לאלים וליקום, אני קורא עכשיו

לבנות, לריפוי, קיר מוזהב.

ברכות על קיר הריפוי

על איזו מחלה תמיד נופלת

תנו למחלה להחליק

אז, כדי להישאר בחיים

ותנו ל______ שוב לשגשג.

כמו שנאמר, אז שיהיה.

In hieroglyphs, I am so very bad

And so translation would have been sad.

Klingon would have been just too flip,

And so with the three, I did stick.

Blessed be

Garnet - Bard

PS Please ignore my continued rhyme,
I can’t stop for a time.

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Wow, fonts and everything. Great job, Garnet!

“No more rhymes now, I mean it!” LOL!

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Huh, gonna have to put my thinking cap on for this one for sure. I will have to see what I can come up with around here… I mean… I did take 6 years of Spanish when I was in school… but… I can’t recall all that information right now.

But, I did start reading a book on Celtic Paganism & I have been wanting to dive more into the Ogham Alphabet :thinking: I’ll have to see what I have in my space about it or even my laptop because goodness knows that I have more than 1 Celtic file on here :rofl:

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My practice and deities are either celtic or norse so definatatly can look at runes and oghram this week. Ive also alreafy been looking at recentering myself in my practice and reconnecting with deities as my previous methods had left me feeling spread thing and not feeling i was doing my clan justice as i was trying to do way too much that i was only connecting on a surface level. So i was looking at how to get deeper connections ( not specifically for a reason but just for closer connections and interactions i was looking at wats to include things in my home that would make them feel more welcome in my home like having scents they like in the home and using things like scents even as an offering or meditation tool in times i spent with them. I was looking at books or materials to connect to my celtic and norse deities on a deeper level and relooking at ways to honor them and how to do tjay without spreasing muself too thin or burning out ( at least in any other ways besides work n study burnout which feeling atm). I was looking at things like shamanic drumming n journeying for Cernunnos and learning music for Lugh, self care buisness n even self care of self for Freya. Brigid was obvious as i already wass looking at herbalism in food etc and studying that n practicing that was a way to work with, learn from n honor her. I had a list of things working with deities and even using a bit of wisdom i needed, looked at times i can honor cerridwen during moon phases and Arionhod at times of the wheel. Which meant i wasnt trying to do too much daily but that fit those deities n still choosing times n ways that more fot busy schedule that honors n respects deities but where my attenyion isnt so thinly spread but also not overwhelned trying to do too much. I looked at alot of what i was doing n what was workibg and what wasnt so i could better connect to my clan on deeper level.
I also realised after a reading some interest in deities may not be best done on same level as the deity had a faith or belief system that didnt exactly fit into celtic or norse systems and after a really good book lisrened to ( audionook version) on paganism i realised while i may respect that deity i couldnt follow their path as it had another velief system tgat didnt fit celtic or norse and out of respect for them i thanked them for theor time n patience and stepped back. Not to say cant connecy to them at times but from sounds of it from the book some belief systems make working with or following some deities contridictory and cant honor those deities properly bevause follow differenr system that doesnt fit with the established system of that deity. Im not sure if that made sense or if explained that propely but out of respect for my clan and each deity including the deity that i found was from shinto or Buddhism faith systems i realised that i couldnt fully honor them properly because im jot shinto or Buddhist. I really hope that made sense. I still like japanese culture and i disovered that deity looking into kitsune but i realised i couldnt follow them properly when im more celtic /norse and trying to do so wasnt honoring them as much as i thought i was by trying to. Even if intention was pure as soon as realised i made it right even if still respect them.
But this does mean that i have come to really centre myself n refocus myself in my celtic and norse path and deities and culture, even though in Australia i also have ancestors from the UK. And ive had deities from Norse patheon reach out to me. So its been very much a reflective period and recentering n reevaluaying my path and practice but its help me to refocus myself n my time n efforts. Ive got a scribed account n thats become my library or pagan and witchy books includibg on specific or genrral books on deities or patheons. N because ive been looking at how to honor n spend time with each deity in my clan in order to connect and learn about them and honor them, even just for the connection snd spending time with them, coming from a faith system years ago where felt worthless n rejected and abadoned and thrown to the wolves,having a strong connection to deities that actually want yo spend time with me is a big thing. And the tshirt that talks about veing thrown to the wolves and coming back leading the pack hits me even if im not so much leafing the pack in my case but i feel i have a pack backing me especially with Fenrir who knows what its like to be betrayed. I think thats why he has been so hugely associated to protection and fighting back. Either He or a wolf messenger/spirit walks with me when i need it. Its those things that first connected me to my clan… comming back to what drew me to them is good becausr i feel ive been able to unclutter my practice and recentre myself in just connecting and honoring them even by just engaging with their stories. Thay initial connection. Recentering myself seems ti come to mind in this.
In regards to specifics on this challenge this initial reflection and discovery actially helps to focus myself in this challenge and i knew straight away that oghram and runes was going to play a big part in this weeks challege but also celebrating and exploring the celtic and norse culture and stories further. I have a playlist for my clan and path and i find playing it is a way to not onlu honor but connect to deities and i find recently ive even been dancing n building energy and i dont want to say shamanic dancing cause im not sure if thats a thing, and its not fully trance like syate but like i just go into a zone n i fibd my dance is like im dancing for my clan as an offering n connection to them.
So yeah thia challenge is a contination ( great timing :grin:) of things ive already been starting tk refocus n recentre myself n doing. N i can look at further honoring and cinnevting to deities but also looking at placing runes or orghrams around or carrying them not only for intention but also out of connection and respect for clan. Also i realised this morning i actually also have celtic tree oracle which us based around oghram and also rune oracle cards. So i can use those this week. My divination has kinda dwindled lately and i feel ive been burning out a bit at work n study. To the point that though not the entire unit just tge assignment ( so still chance to pass unit) but failing tge assignment handed in recently hadnt fased me and i was suprised when tutor said that they know id be upset. I realised that my reaction was unusual esp since id worked really hard on it n pushed through alot to get it dine on time. But my reaction to failing the assignment was the suprise n concern because i didnt care. I didnt feel i was too exhausted n run down. Im not suprised the industry is about to go on strike xause i find out after 10 years of struggle n constantly veing run down n undervalued tgat its nit just me but the industry in general and no wonder ppl are leaving it. Im doing all i can to help my workplave n those we care for but its commitment to families and children and my workmates n not wanting to let them down that keeps me staying. At leadt for now . But even if im undervalued by conpany or industry reconnecting to my faith /path and my clan gives me strebgth and hope and giving time to connect and spend time with my clan who wants to connect or spend time with me ( ans also connecting with community here as well). . It helps me to keep going and stay positive in such a turbelent time. And even when im so often focused and worried about everyone else, i have my clan reminding me that i need to xare for myself too. Esp as my asthma has been flaring up and low staff meant i worked 3 says straight with severe chest pains and repeated minor asthma attacks through out the day. Just minor, like id go several minutes trying to get air vefore my inhaler kick in and id feel like crying but them id push through anf just keep working or going like i didn’t just… but to me its normal, pushing tjrough. Esp as so often it feels like if its not covid tgen theirs no reason to call in sick. If im not dying then i cam work and esp with low staff and im still having to operate above my pay grade ( which is more a show of undervalue than me complain about money and being overworked and under appreciated). So if i have to contunue doing job aboce pay grafe cause no one thrre to do it cause of a shoetage in industry and so low staff as well, ive gotten used to working through times that others ( if we werent so understaffed) would of sent me home sick for working in that state. But it makes me feel emotional and tearful ( in a good way cause i feel touched by ut, especially coming from a faiyh and deity i had no worth to) that i feel my clan esp certain deities who are pushing for me to take better care of myself and see me as worth something, not just an object to use. N it makes me want to connect morw to them and honor them more even withour doing any magical working with them or asking for something. Just being of some value to someone especially deities after so long thinking the only deity out there didnt care or hated me or just didntnthink i was worth anything. To have a clan that values me or things im worth something, to have a community here on spells8 that im welcome in and valued in( even online rsther than in person) is so much better than what i had and gives the hope and comfory to keep going and brings a light into the darkness. I am refilled with the feeling this path n this clan and this community… i feel like i came home and found my place i belong. And though things may still be a storm around me this path, my clan and tjis community helps me stay calm and centered in the midfle of this storm. And for that i thank this community, i thank my clan ( deities n any other spirit guides) and im grateful for this path ans practice. N this week im going to continue to explore honoring and connecting to clan more deeply, looking at connecting more ( ive been thinking bout it foe a while but craziness and health lately has been making it hard) on here and i still want to fo a post on rainbow magic :joy:someone asked for that n i actually really excited to do that when i get a chance. I want to contribute more to the community here so thats a goal. And also i want to reconnect n explore the use and meanings etc of runes and oghram, maybe even doibg some divination, wgether daily or in connection to deities. Maybe they may pass wisdom or message like something they want me to do or know or think about. And while some tears were shed writing this post, its a good thing, and im looking forward to the week ahead explorung n connecting to the community, my clan and also tge languages from the cultures my path and clan are a part of.

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