When to Use a Symbol Publicly?

Hi, sweeties! I just finished writing the past entry and thought about something else I would like to share with you. As witches, we know that there's power in everything. Maybe we're not aware of it, or using it, but energy is everywhere, from nature to the clothes we wear. Years ago, when I was discovering Wicca and witchcraft, I saw a video from an Argentinian high priestess who said that you should only use a necklace with a symbol once you know its meaning.

Photo by Noelle Otto from Pexels.

I was once in a witchcraft store when there came a lady needing help to deal with some fae problems. The girl in the store told her that she knew a few things about them, but wasn't sure she would be the best to help her, but me, with a heptagram hanging from my neck, would be a better person to ask for help.

Despite I know about them, have read about them, have worked with the fae, and even talk about them with a close friend, it was a completely different thing to help someone I knew nothing about. I was completely out of my element, but this person was counting on me to give some form of help. After taking a deep breath, I put on my calmest face and told her "sure, I'm not an expert, but tell me about it and I'll do my best".

If you are using a symbol in a necklace, a bracelet, a tattoo, or any other way, people will do the math and sometimes even ask you about this or that. While I was using it as a form of respect towards the fae, this necklace represents my work with them, and people who know the meaning can and will ask me about the fae if they recognize the meaning.

In the end, I was able to ask the right questions and give this lady all the things she needed, both material and some ideas. She left the store with some notes, curious about the deities I mentioned, and we had a nice time despite her worries. The girl in the store said "I knew he would be able to help you more than me", and I saw her more relaxed when she left the store. This helped me realize that, while this necklace could mean something for me, it means something bigger, and if I used it then I had to be serious about it and my work with the seelie wight*.

Since that day, when I realized the wider meaning of having this necklace, I decided to learn more and practice more, and make the fae a more important part of my practice. While it's true that I haven't the most devoted witch in this way, I never abandon the fae elements in my practice. I may not use them or learn about them every day, but the knowledge stays there as well as the respect. Are you using a symbol, a stone, a tarot card, in a public way? Make sure you know its meaning and implications.

*seelie wight is a term that could be translated as "lucky/blessed being". Morgen Daimly wrote about it in their blog.

Kinky regards, K!

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When You Think the Fae Took Something

Hi pornies! I hope you're okay and well. A few days ago, I asked some friends what they would like me to talk about more often, and one of them gave a good idea. There's a part of my practice I haven't shared, specifically about my practice with the fae, and I think you'd like to know about it because it's one of the most common things to happen when working with them: when you think they took something from you.

Photo by Siora Photography on Unsplash

It's widely known that the fae could take something from you now and then. It has happened to me a few times already. I want to think that the reason for it not to be that often is that I've always been respectful with them, however, anyone who has worked with them for some time and has read about them knows that they have a moral compass different from humans', so you can never expect things to be in a certain way. As cliché as it may sounds, when working with them, expect the unexpected.

After trying different things for a while, there's something that I recently found useful when this happens. The fae love shiny things, even if they're useless for us as humans. They appreciate beauty, and something that shines seems to be particularly attractive to them, so when I lost two necklaces and a bracelet that I wear every single day, I decided to offer a trade: if they were responsible and gave it back to me, or helped me give it back, I would give them some coins I found on the street (which I previously washed and kept in my altar just in case).

I was very specific and told them that I would only give them those particular coins if I got my necklaces and bracelet back, which I would really appreciate. A day or two after that, I found them in a closet I had already searched in, but I didn't get the bracelet.

Although it was tempting to give them something as an appreciation sign for their help, the fae don't like lies. I was clear enough when I said I would give them the coins if I got those three things back, so I kept the coins and used them for something else. That day I told them I appreciated their help (never say please or thank you to the fae, ever, it's offensive for them) and that was it. I never got the bracelet back, and I'm hoping I'll find it one day, but it wouldn't surprise me if it doesn't happen.

What kind of coins, you may ask. Any that are shiny, of course. I offered some that were copper-colored and a silver one. Always listen to your got when working with them; I got the impression they would prefer the silver one, so I included it. However, be specific and clear with your terms. If they do something different from whatever you told them, then you are not required to do this or that. You may show appreciation in a different way, but keep your word above all things.

Kinky regards, K!

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Audiobook review: He Sees You When You’re Sleeping

Hello pornies! I hope you're feeling better. Today I come with a nice, yet creepy story for you. I reviewed the ebook version of this story more than a year ago, and now I want to tell you about the audiobook: He Sees You When You’re Sleeping, by Sara Dobie Bauer, and narrated by Blake Lockheart. Thanks to the author for doing a giveaway of this book!

• Author Sara Dobie Bauer.
• Narrator: Blake Lockheart.
• Listening Length: 2 hours and 23 minutes.
• Publisher: Selfpublished (December 01, 2021).
• Publication Date: December 01, 2021.
• Genres: Abuse, Horror, Romance, Gay, Homoerotic, Holiday, Retelling.
• Rating: 4 / 5.

We met when you were just a child, but you’re a man now and need my protection.

With Christmas Eve approaching, I’ll watch over you.

Whether you know it or not.

Because no one is allowed to hurt you.

No one but me.

At 20K words, He Sees You When You’re Sleeping is a twisted take on Santa, featuring M/M romance, horror, and the holiday season

With a full review of the story and the writing, there's little new I could say about it right now, except for the fact that I'm still in love with it. I was a little curious about what I'd think about it after some time, and while it made me nervous about the consent and obsession parts, but I actually enjoyed how dark yet hopeful and positive this book seemed to be one year after I first read it.

Now, the narration was just awesome. With the right texture and emotion depending on the scene, Blake Lockheart added a new lawyer to an already good story. He made sure to get all the characters under my skin, always keeping a seductive tone. I loved that it was all just the voice, nice and clear, with no additional sounds or effects, making it all the more intimate and personal, along with the changes depending on which character was speaking. This man made them all come to life with ease!

Only little complain? At normal speed, it was a little too slow for me, so I speeded it up and it felt much better. It is not a mistake in the strict sense, but I thought some of you would like to know beforehand. Honestly, it's the only thing I didn't like that much, but audible already gives you the option to make it faster, et voilà.

As before, this was a nice experience, a story that I was glad to revisit. He Sees You When You’re Sleeping is twisted for sure, but it still leaves a nice, positive message at the end. I would definitely like to hear more audiobooks by Sara narrated by Blake. So far, seems like there's only This Is Now a Horror Movie, which was another novel I loved! So who knows, maybe I'll give it a try later. Meanwhile, I highly recommend you getting a copy of this deliciously dark romance. Thank me later.

About Sara Dobie Bauer:

Sara Dobie Bauer is a bestselling romance author and mental health / LGBTQ advocate with a creative writing degree from Ohio University. She lives with her hottie husband and two precious pups in Northeast Ohio, although she’d really like to live in a Tim Burton film. Read more at SaraDobieBauer.com. Twitter. Facebook. Instagram. Tumblr.

Kinky regards, K!

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Midnight Thoughts: The Problem with the Alphabet Mafia

Hello! It's been such a long time since I could actually write one of these entries during midnight. Right now it is 11:10 PM, which is close enough for me. A few days ago I was thinking about this topic, and I guess we all do from time to time, about what's the deal with the never-ending LGBTQ+ acronym and what this could implicate for us as a community. Short answer: it's wrong.

Pixabay

Let me get this straight: I have a master's in communication. One of the I learned is that the simpler the message the clearer it will be. When you have an idea and present it in a simple yet direct way, most of the time it's going to have a positive effect on your public. Nothing new here so far, because I think we all know this to some degree, right?

However, the problem is when you're trying to include more information in as little space as possible. This is directly related to the LGBTQ+ acronym. As time goes by, the acronym keeps growing, until it becomes something totally difficult to remember, and even awkward to pronounce in a common conversation. Here's a copy-paste taken from Wikipedia so you know exactly what I'm talking about:

Some use LGBT+ to mean "LGBT and related communities".[25] LGBTQIA is sometimes used and adds "queer, intersex, and asexual" to the basic term.[39] Other variants may have a "U" for "unsure"; a "C" for "curious"; another "T" for "transvestite"; a "TS", or "2" for "two-spirit" persons; or an "SA" for "straight allies".[40][41][42][43][44] The inclusion of straight allies in the LGBT acronym has proven controversial as many straight allies have been accused of using LGBT advocacy to gain popularity and status in recent years,[45] and various LGBT activists have criticised the heteronormative worldview of certain straight allies.[46] Some may also add a "P" for "polyamorous", an "H" for "HIV-affected", or an "O" for "other".[17][47] The initialism LGBTIH has seen use in India to encompass the hijra third gender identity and the related subculture.[48][49]

Basically, if I were to include all these identities, then I'd end up with something like this: LGBTQIAUCT2SAPHOI. No, I'm not exaggerating. I included every single term that the text describes. I need to return my titles, start studying again, and begin psychiatric treatment if there's one single soul that tells me this is okay.

Although I stand for the idea of inclusion, and as much inclusion as possible, it is more important how you present a message than the message itself. In this case, both presentation and message carry the same importance, because one cannot work without the other. Being such a diverse community, the acronym has to reflect this, but also needs to be easy to remember for those inside and outside of it.

Enter the short version I've been using, LGBTQ+. It includes the four classical letters we are all familiar with, the Q for queer and questioning, which are open and vague enough, and the + for every single other terms that could be included. Based on emotions, all these identities and terms should be included, but since you can't do them all, how do you draw the line that marks which to use and which not to? Using something simple, familiar, easy to remember, and quick to pronounce, that's how.

I could say the same about the rainbow flag, which has been through SO MANY changes in recent years that it's becoming a circus. Seriously, how are app developers and phone companies going to be able to make an emoticon for the newest one? I think there comes a point when we need to stop, and that point seems too far. The six-color version from 1979 we all know seems inclusive enough for me. What could be more diverse than a rainbow with all those colors? There has been a lot of work done since then, we've changed as a community, welcoming BIPOC, trans people, intersex people, and every single one who wants to support the fight for equality. I don't see a need to keep using the new ones anymore.

I've seen those new flags and the new acronym in daily matters, and they just cause confusion, frustration, and finally disinterest. That's what happens when you come across something so foreign and seemingly so complex, you lose interest. People have asked about them, not knowing what they stand for and not knowing the difference between so many variants. It makes the message difficult to be understood, and the more open it tries to be, the more closed it is for straight, cisgender people.

Kinky regards, K!

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Book Review: Magick From the Mat

Rise and shine, pornies! I hope you've been well during my absence. Thanks for the kind words, those who know about my health, and I want you to know I'm feeling better (about damn time!) Still making some calls and appointments, but I'm getting there. ^^ Today's book review goes hand in hand with all this because it's focused on making you feel better and get a better hand at your witchcraft through what seems like an unlikely ally at first sight. I'm talking about Magick From the Mat: Using Yoga to Enhance Your Witchcraft, by Casey Giovinco. Thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy!

• Print Length: 264 pages.
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (August 8, 2021)
• Publication Date: August 8, 2021.
• Topics: Yoga, Meditation, Psychic Development, Elements, Witchcraft.
• Rating: 4 / 5 stars.

Explore the Crossroads of Witchcraft and Yoga

Raise your vitality, find inner peace, and enhance your magick with this hands-on, groundbreaking guide. Pairing sequences with spells and rituals, Magick from the Mat takes you on a fascinating tour through history and details how contemporary practitioners can deepen their practice of witchcraft through yoga, whether you are experienced or not.

Professional witch and yoga teacher Casey Giovinco provides more than sixty poses and corresponding illustrations for developing personal power, balance, longevity, healing, and confidence. Discover ways to boost your intuition and connect with your Higher Self. Learn how to harness the elements and use them in your yoga sessions. Featuring dozens of exercises and sequences that improve your chakra work, meditations, astral travel, and sabbat celebrations, Magick from the Mat strengthens your mind, body, and Craft.

I have to admit it took me a long time to go through this book because it is the first time I read anything related to yoga, and I feel this was against me. However, it is easy to follow, the author goes straight to the point, and gives enough details without overwhelming the reader. I especially liked how Casey Giovinco started from the more general aspects and then took the time to dwell on the details.

Things like psychic development, the wheel of the year, the elements, and common concepts that we usually relate to witchcraft also have a place in yoga. Casey makes sure you understand why, how, and what you can do to take advantage of those similarities, which also act as a connection between the two. While a little strange at first, something he openly admits, it becomes clear enough that both things work wonderfully well together!

Downsides? I can't say there are many, to be honest. This book leaves no stone unturned, no aspect without explanation, and includes several images to give the readers a good reference for each asana (yoga pose). I guess the only thing that bothered me was that the religious part was a little heteronormative, with sections devoted to the Goddess and the God only. While trans and gender-diverse readers were invited to explore the God Sequence and Goddess Sequence, I still would have liked a bit more inclusion.

All in all, I enjoyed discovering the connections, similarities, and exercises included in Magick From the Mat: Using Yoga to Enhance Your Witchcraft. Casey Giovinco is an author I wanted to read for a long time, and now that I did can I honestly recommend this book to you. Whether your yoga practice is solid or non-existent, you can expect a great teacher in these pages, along with several surprises along the way!

Photo by Stewart A. Photography

About Casey Giovinco:

Casey Giovinco (North Carolina) is the Chief Elder of Gala Witchcraft, which combines traditional coven-based Initiatory Wicca with the central goal of reawakening the Gay Mysteries. By combining the skills that he developed as an academic philosopher with the Wisdom of the Western Mystery Traditions, Casey provides a unique approach to problem solving that helps Gay men to achieve lasting success in their lives. He also has been combining yoga and witchcraft for over twenty years. Casey has a RYT-200 certification from The Yoga Alliance, teaches yoga, reads tarot, and works as a witch in residence at a holistic center. Website, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram. Uncrossing Your Roads.

Kinky regards, K!

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