The Wortcunner, the Witch, and the Plant Spirits

Last updated on: February 25, 2020 at 9:28 pm By Raven Wood

It is rumored in folklore that the witches of days gone by where taught the wisdom of the wortcunner and herbal lore by the magickal folk... the fae, elves, and spirits of the wood. The word wortcunner is defined by the word Wort meaning “root,” or herb,” and cunning (from the Middle English cunnen) meaning “to know.” A wortcunner is not simply a herbalist or one who uses herbs, but in it's stead one who has been touched by the plant spirits, and thus gaining a hidden knowledge, and the ability to use that knowledge for magickal intent. Read more

Salutations to the Sun…Sun Magick

Last updated on: February 8, 2020 at 12:36 am By Raven Wood

The Sun is brilliance, abundance, intensity in its warmth and rays, and success in its influence. It is then from Winter Solstice to Summer Solstice that we work with this firey star, as this is when solar energy is growing, and at its strongest. Read more

Shrooms, and the Shaman… Winter Folktales

Last updated on: January 2, 2020 at 2:14 am By Raven Wood

As most of you are probably aware many of the traditions, symbolism, food and drink, or even plants and trees of the season have roots in pagan celebrations. But are you aware of the roll this magickal little mushroom plays in winter folklore? Well! Sit you down by the hearth fire, have a warm, and I will tell the tale of Shrooms, and the Shaman… Amanita muscaria or better known to most as Fly agaric, is a genus of mushroom... Read more

Winter Solstice Within the Wood

Last updated on: December 22, 2019 at 6:40 am By Raven Wood

Winter Solstice within the wood is a truly magickal time. It is a time of unpredictability, darkness, severe winter weather, but a beauty that is absolutely breathtaking. Read more

The Rosehip Queen

Last updated on: November 21, 2019 at 5:40 pm By Raven Wood

I be the Rosehip Queen... for I am bewitched and entwined with the Wild Rose! Her blooms, hips, the bloody thorns, her amazing scent, not to mention this plant's health and magickal abilities. Read more

John Barleycorn Must Die! An Old English Folktale

Last updated on: September 6, 2019 at 4:53 pm By Raven Wood

From a pagan point of view John Barleycorn represents the cycles of nature, spirits of both plant and drink, entwined together within the fall harvest. A time to reap what one has sown, and a time to celebrate John Barleycorn’s death, by the brewing of barley into beer, and whiskey. Read more

The Witch and the Toad

Last updated on: July 3, 2019 at 9:25 pm By Raven Wood

Toads and frogs are amphibians of the "Anura" sector, meaning they are tailless. These enchanting little creatures have a long history in magickal folklore, being associated with the witch... and of course the devil. Read more

The Witch and the Bee

Last updated on: May 20, 2019 at 10:00 pm By Raven Wood

The witch and the bee, a more magickal union there could not be! Witches have enjoyed a long and enchanting relationship with the bee, sharing many rituals, as well as other magickal traits they have in common. Read more

The Wyrd of a Witch…

Last updated on: April 9, 2019 at 3:27 pm By Raven Wood

The word "Wyrd" is an interesting word indeed. For I have found both in research, and my own personal experiences, that this word has many a meaning... especially to a witch. Read more

Bewitching Birch… A Tree of Many Magicks, and the Devil

Last updated on: February 22, 2019 at 2:23 am By Raven Wood

The Paper Birch is often one of the first species to reestablish itself after a forest fire, which is kinda ironic knowing some of the darker folklore of this magickal tree. Read more

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