Welcome to the Resource section of Faery Garden.
*My Divination Tools | *Library | *Altar Tools | *Potions and Brews | *Clothing | *Growing Things
In these pages you will find lists of everything from divination tools to books on herbs to witchy knick-knacks. It is worth noting that our current Earth population hovers just under 8 Billion humans. We come from all walks of life, across this planet, raised within various cultural, religious, social and familial contexts. If there are items in my lists with which you do not resonate, or agree with, simply move along. It will absolutely resonate with someone else. Each of us has our intrinsic right to self-governance and determination. Despite some of the pockets of control, dogma, legalism, which exist across most religious and spiritual pathways, all of these diverse approaches continue to exist, and in many cases thrive. Seek to understand, if you wish; and if it is within you to do so, do your best to co-exist and simply allow others to do their different thing. Blessings to all!
A note about the specific content here-in: I have spent over 30 years being able to actively pursue pagan pathways. In those years, my personal views and approaches have shifted more than once. If I found value in it, it will probably end up on one of these lists. Even if I no longer reach for it, those were bridges from an old version of me to a newer version of me, and someone else may need that bridge. I’m thinking of the early Silver Ravenwolf books as one example.
If someone out there tries to make you feel small, or belittles your approach, just let their words roll off (sometimes hard to do). You absolutely have the right to be as fluffy or hard-edged as you choose; to only ever use natural plant material gleaned from the wood or toss glitter with wild abandon. Ignore the gate-keepers. They are everywhere, especially on social media. It never really hurts to examine why something someone said upsets you, because you will learn something about yourself if nothing else. You may learn something truly important too.
White sage comes to mind. Many people, myself included, have a knee-jerk reaction to being told to not do something, and when hearing “don’t use white sage” you may be thinking “oh, really? and who are you to tell me what to do”. But when you dig deeper and really listen to others, you will understand Why. While burning things that produce sacred smoke is a global practice done by nearly every indigenous culture (including the early caucasian indigenous cultures in northern Europe); white sage is a plant that is best not purchased.
Not only is the product on the market poached, but it is done so with no regard for the spiritual connection between that plant, the land and the indigenous people who live there. White sage is an endangered species, it is sacred plant medicine to real existing people, and the borderline fanatical behavior of some folks who avoid it, is not without reason.
If you already have white sage, use it with gratitude and respect, and then research for alternatives instead of buying more. Ask yourself what role & purpose smoke smudging has in your personal practice, and whether it is something you want or need to continue. You do not need a “smudge stick” to use smoke. You can use a loose incense blend on charcoal. You can use an incense cone, as well as an incense stick. These are all things with many different sources and formulations. You can absolutely make your own smudge stick if what you want is a fat plant-material wand to hold onto; and there are people who offer hand-crafted smudge wands for sale that do not include endangered plant matter. (White Sage Protection: https://www.cnps.org/conservation/white-sage )
When it comes to traditions that are from outside your genetic/ancestral culture, locate sources from within those cultures for guidance and direction. It isn’t terribly difficult – if you’re reading this, you already have access to the internet and the ability to search for guides in the traditions that have caught your soul’s attention.
If there is one thing I would encourage everyone to do, it is to continue to seek new knowledge & deeper understanding of existing knowledge. Knowing things does not mean you have to incorporate them into your beliefs or to blend them into your practice. What it means is that your mind remains flexible. Your humanity and ability to express compassion are not lost.
Blessings,
Marigolde