Buzzfeed Has A Listicle Of 90s Scholastic Book Fair Books, And They Actually Included Animorphs, Which

Being a Witch IS Political

Witchcraft and spirituality are inherently political. To embrace these paths without acknowledging their history and ongoing struggles is to reduce them to mere aesthetics. True witches—and spiritual practitioners—understand that the essence of these practices is rooted in resistance, justice, and transformation.

Historically, witches were the wise women and healers of their communities. They tended to the sick, midwifed births, and served as the keepers of ancient knowledge. Their craft connected them deeply to nature, the cycles of life, and the unseen forces that govern our world. These practices often placed them on the fringes of society, not because they were wrong or dangerous, but because their power defied the status quo.

These women (and men) were political figures simply by existing. They challenged patriarchal systems, capitalist greed, and authoritarian control. When they provided herbal remedies or midwifed safely outside the church's purview, they defied institutions that sought to monopolize power over life and death.

The witch trials of history were political acts, targeting those who threatened established hierarchies. Witches were scapegoated for plagues, famines, and dissent, often accused because they stood up for their communities, demanded justice, or refused to conform to societal expectations.

Even today, to identify as a witch or spiritual practitioner is to take a stand. It is to honor the marginalized, to value the Earth over profit, and to seek balance in a world obsessed with domination. It is to embrace healing, not only for ourselves but for others and the planet—a deeply political act in a culture that prioritizes profit and power over people and ecosystems.

Being a witch means advocating for what is right, even at risk to our comfort or safety. It means standing against oppression, environmental destruction, and systemic injustice. To claim this path is to reclaim the legacy of those who came before us—the wise women, healers, and rebels who walked this path at great personal cost.

If you are drawn to witchcraft, spirituality, or paganism, understand that this is more than crystals and candles. It is a call to action, a commitment to live authentically and fight for a better world. Anything less is a disservice to the courageous souls who paved the way for us.

magical uses for essential oils

add to:

the bath 

the shower

spell jars

sachets 

oil diffusers 

washing machine 

dryer sheets

make homemade:

perfumes 

salves

lotions

soaps

balms

scrubs

floor washes

pest repellants 

use to:

anoint candles and crystals

anoint other magical tools 

anoint yourself

anoint personal items

make elemental, planetary, or celestial oil blends

make charged water or blessed oils

always:

dilute your essential oils with a carrier oil

do a patch test before putting oils on your skin

never:

diffuse around pets or those with respiratory issues or other medical problems

ingest essential oils or have others ingest essential oils - they are not safe to drink or to cook with

© 2025 ad-caelestia

I really need some His Dark Materials spanish fans, I feel so f*cking lonely in this fandom...

I found a thread and decided… Hm… Maybe a need a little bit of sin afterall…

ILVERMORNY HEADCANON [Course Professors & Descriptions]

ASTRONOMY

Professor Ortwin Aurelio

    This class teaches that stars are much more than twinkling lights in the sky.  Offered as an elective class to those in year 4 and above, Professor Aurelio takes his students on a rigorous adventure to the stars.  This course is not for those who need their full 8 hours of sleep as classes have the possibility of being held between midnight and 3AM (when study subjects are at their peak).  

     Those who do take this class will experience and learn the wonders of the night sky.  If you so choose to further your education in this area and go to level 2, you will have the opportunity to participate in an annual quest.  A friendly competition between classmates where they must use what they have learned on Star Navigation to find an item hidden by Professor Aurelio himself.  This course is nothing short of enlightening.

BOTANY

Professor Virginia Leon

    Come learn about the magnificent world around you!  As in the literal blade of grass that you are stepping on.  In this course you will learn about the most mundane plants as well as the most complex and mystical ones our world has to offer.  Professor Leon, a world renowned Wizarding Botanist before joining us at Ilvermorny, has been teaching this course for over 50 years.  

     Expect to brace yourself as you will be getting up close and personal with some of the most dangerous plants known to witch or wizard while also learning about healing properties as well as what herbs helps top off the school’s world famous roast!

CHARMS

Professor Filimena Godwine

    Learn to bring a whole new meaning to being charming as you come to throw charms without even mumbling a single sound.  Charms is an ever perfecting craft which must be constantly learned.  

     Students are required to take this course in their first four years of study, but if they so desire, they may take it for all their years at Ilvermorny.  No matter whether you decide to further your education in charms or not, all witches and wizards will leave this school knowing how to do basic charms without needing to speak their incantation.

CRYPTOZOOLOGY

Professor Newton Aureliana

    The stories that once made you quake in fear and wonder of the Loch Ness or maybe even the Chupacabra are not just folklore, they are the true tales of beasts that roam this earth still. In this course, you will travel from the past and back to learn about some of the most fascinating creatures that have ever been discovered while also coming to know how our community has kept them under wraps from No Mags since the beginning of time. 

     This year, we welcome first year Professor Newton Aureliana, as he has dedicated his life to follow in suit of Mr. Newt Scamander and help these magnificent creatures stay well.  All students are required to have a personal copy of Newt Scamander’s “Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them,” other texts will be assigned when deemed necessary as the course progresses.  

DEFENSE AGAINST DARK MAGIC

Professor Cicero Alister

    The Dark Forces of magic will have no hold over you once you complete this course.  Being under the instruction of the wondrous and very capable Professor Alister is both a gift and a great privilege, one which should never be taken for granted.  Our world has been under attack by dark magic more than one would like to admit and this class helps to assure that our students will know how to defend themselves and their loved one, should they ever need to rise to the occasion.  

     Professor Alister has a vast listing of past experiences which make him well over qualified for this position and you should rest well assured that you will be in good hands and learn more than you could ever possibly imagine.

ELIXIRS

Professor Angus Mordecai

    The art of witches and wizards standing over a bubbling cauldron goes far past any record books still intact today.  From concocting the simple remedy for the common cold to brewing the elixir of life, all will need true patience to succeed in this course.  Professor Mordecai comes from a long line of talent in this subject and Ilvermorny has had the honor of being his home for 23 years now.  He brings to the ingredients table a sense of wonder and intrigue that has captured the minds of students throughout his time here.  Know that in his class you will learn not only about this subject, but of yourself as well.

FLYING

Professor Fida Jacmomina

    The sky is the limit, as the saying goes. But here, within Mount Graylock’s silvery skies, you will learn that there are always exceptions. Students of every year are required to take a class on the skill of broom flying. First years will learn the very basics whilst the upper years can take electives on the topic; ranging from long term flying to competitive broom maneuvers.

KNOWING NO-MAJS

Professor Erika Weisz

    Odd creatures they are; those who live day in and out without the power of magic in their blood. Called No-Majs on this side of the waters, the relationship between they and the wizarding folk of America is full of sorrow and distrust. Students of every year are expected to learn about this messy history between the two, as well as a basic understanding of No-Maj lifestyles and culture in order to blend in between with their kind outside in the world.

MAGICAL HISTORY

Professor Berit Aphra

    As a result of the impressively rich and long history of the Magical World that is in the United States, students are expected to take six years of Magical History. Here, they will learn of their founder, Isolt Sayer and her journey from the clutches of Gormlaith Gaunt to the construction of what we now call Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They will learn of MACUSA’s rise to power, and those who sat as its head. They will learn of the Salem Witches who died within a blaze of fire. They will learn it all. That and so much more.

SKINWALKING

Professor Apisi Nero

    The ancient, Native way of transforming oneself into an animal is kept alive within Ilvermorny’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry’s hall. Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh years are required to learn this ancient magical techniques; beginning by identifying their chosen creature, then going forth in the next years in perfecting their transformations. 

     Classes are held within the campus’s adjacent forest, underneath the light of the moon during the midsts of the night. It is thought, only then, one can connect truly with their animalistic side.

TRANSFIGURATION

Professor Eponine Avanti

    This class is often viewed on a scale of two very vast extremes, You’re either turning water into rum or turning yourself into a cat.  This course takes transfiguration to a whole new level of extreme and fun.  In your very first two years of education you will come to be able to turn simple objects into whichever your heart desires.  Once you round to your fourth year of instruction in this subject, you will come to participate in Professor Avanti’s game of Transfigure & Seek!  

     This is a final exam well loved by all elder years and many of them are known to offer their assistance to the Professor in helping set up, judge or even sit as spectators to cheer on the fourth years.  You will learn much in this class with no shortage of fun in doing so.

XYLOMANCY

Professor Vernon Gwydion

    Often overlooked within the magical community as a ‘flawed’ version of Divination in other countries around the world, the American Wizarding curriculum has, actually, accepted the branch of future viewing as the main way. The uses of twigs within the natural, ancient forests of the United States, such as the pines of Virginia and the Redwoods of California, combined with the art of Xylomancy crafted by the ancient tribes of the past allow for a clearer way into predicting the outcome of the future; a way completely and utterly unique especially to America.

when your teammate who is also your boyfriend is also a witch

Inconsistencies I Noticed that kind of Pissed Me Off in CAOS:

This isn’t mean to bash the show, I fucking love it sm. I just felt like the third season took a turn in the wrong direction and these were the main reasons why:

How is Circe a part of the pagan group when they called on her in Theo’s uncle’s exorcism as one of the great witches of the past?

How did they kill Pan if he’s a god? Sure, maybe he wasn’t as strong as God or Satan, but he was still a god.

Who the fuck is the Green Man supposed to be? In Greek mythology, Gaea was the earth goddess, so I’m guessing they took it from Egyptian mythology where the earth god is Geb. But it’s never actually clarified.

What does a hobgoblin have to do with a pagan group? I don’t remember anywhere in Greek mythology where a hobgoblin in mentioned. I kept trying to guess which Greek god Robin was, so I was really disappointed.

How can the coven now worship Hecate if she’s a Greek goddess and they literally just annihilated a bunch of Greek worshippers?

Who the fuck is Caliban? When I looked him up, he was from Shakespeare’s The Tempest, the son of the witch Sycorax. Which then brings me to my next question,

If Caliban is the character from Shakespeare and is the son of Sycorax, why didn’t they point out the relation when Sycorax showed up to the academy with the other hedge witches?

Bestiary and wildlife.

I'm thinking about His Dark Materials again. Specifically the societal quirks that Lyra's world has as a result of everyone having their soul manifested outside their body in the form of dæmons. It's one of the most fascinating examples of worldbuilding I've come across tbh

Some of my most favourite tidbits:

Dæmons are named by the dæmons of the child's parents

It's taboo to touch another person's dæmon, but this is learnt, not instinctual

Children often settle arguments through their dæmons, with one accepting the dominance of the other (eg. Pan hissing at Annie's fox daemon in the first book to get her to back down)

The fact that people can tell when someone lacks a daemon even though they can be hidden out of sight (like a mouse in your pocket)

To the inhabitants of Lyra's world, looking at someone without a dæmon is like looking at someone without a head

These extra pieces of lore just make the world seem so magical but believable at the same time

I often wonder about the nature of daemons. What they really are, whether they are just figments of hyper-imaginative minds, simple tricks of our inner voice, or something entirely esoteric. Whether they are "true" or not, and why some people no matter how hard they try, they end up never having contact with their own. After god knows how many years I've known mine, I rarely end up surprised nor I put his reality to test (since it's pointless and it's only damaging for a healthy relationship with ourselves); but today we caught ourselves in a disagreement over the most mundane thing: he scolded me for washing a pan that he believed was already clean, while I reminded him that it was used at dinner. We stopped for a second. I was the one correcting the voice that -supposedly- had access to all my memories and my knowledge, assuming he's just my imagination talking. Has something like this ever happened to anyone else? How deep is the difference between Agathiel as a person and their daemon? Sometimes I'd like to know the scientific explanation for daemons, something to answer that little worm of doubt that occasionally bites with a "what if you're just indulging in your mental illness", a chemical reaction or brain characteristic or hormones that explains their existence. More often though I prefer believing there's still a bit of unexplained wonder in the world.

Ffs your ramblings are something.