Weekly Linkage

Whether we can say with certainty that they were intrinsic to Anglo-Saxon religion, modern practitioners of Fyrnsidu seem to have gravitated toward certain things that our Norse counterparts are usually less enthusiastic about. The aforementioned interest in herbalism, leechcraft and plantlore has certainly found a prominent place among 21st century Anglo-Saxon Heathens and it’s something that I think should be included in any curriculum designed for the budding Fyrnsidere. If we’re going to continue to distinguish ourselves as a standalone entity, then we need to celebrate and expand on those small things that modern practitioners have gravitated towards. 

Wodgar Inguing, ‘ A Retrospective in Anglo-Saxon Heathendom‘ on Sundorwic

Priestess of Aphrodite has a useful elemental cleansing ritual. I’ve begun taking better notes for rituals as I’ve found myself doing more public (and private) ritualizing, and keeping track of where I got what ideas is important.

But, most importantly, it’s also left me with questions about where my witchcraft lives. I mean, we’re always saying it’s-not-about-tools and the-gods-are-within-us and nature-is-my-church and whatever, but just look at all the stuff we produce and consume. We call it art and we talk about things being imbued with spirits and we find ways to justify having, but it ends up being weight on the moving truck just like everything else.

Thorn Mooney, ‘Moving, Materialism, and Finding My Feet Again‘ on Patheos

Keen has a post on miasma and fallow times that reminds me of some other pieces I’ve read about miasma recently. Treating miasma with less moral implications radically reframes how we approach it, I think. I especially liked the point about the creative process is ‘inherently polluting’, as I’ve found that potent art-making often has a distinct flavor to it.