Have you ever noticed how certain scents have the ability to transport you to a different time or place? A single whiff of a specific aroma can bring back vivid memories and evoke powerful emotions. That is the magic of smell - its ability to directly connect with our brain and trigger a cascade of sensations. Our sense of smell is closely linked to our memory and emotions, making it a powerful tool for creating and recalling experiences. The olfactory system, responsible for our sense of smell, is directly connected to the limbic system in our brain, which is in charge of regulating emotions and memory. This explains why a particular scent can instantly transport us back to our childhood or remind us of a loved one. From the invigorating smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning to the comforting scent of freshly baked cookies, smells have the power to deeply impact our mood and well-being.
"This new and exciting tome covers many of our major American folk magic traditions on topics such as divination and spirit communication. Each section is presented by a recognized authority and/or scholar within the tradition. Traditions like Conjure and Powwow are treated in a respectful, thorough manner to provide an insider's perspective that will be accessible to the novice as well. Anyone who wants to explore these often hidden, magical sides of American folk culture would do well to immerse themselves in Llewellyn's Complete Book of North American Folk Magic. I have been involved in American folk magic academically and personally for almost fifty years and I find that I have benefited greatly from reading it. The chapters are exciting, affirming and will expand your knowledge and vision of our world and your life within it."—Jack Montgomery, author of American Shamans
Focus will also be placed upon ways of applying practical magic to everyday life, as well as enriching our personal practice through the research and incorporation of ancestrally relevant and or regional folk traditions. We will also have periodic live sessions to answer any questions from students as well as an optional course forum on Facebook where students can ask questions, share, and connect with eachother.
From the invigorating smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning to the comforting scent of freshly baked cookies, smells have the power to deeply impact our mood and well-being. They have the ability to uplift our spirits, calm our minds, and even trigger nostalgia. This is why perfumes and scented candles are so popular - they allow us to create an atmosphere that matches our desired mood or memory.
Foundations of Folk Magic
*Begins May 28th 2023* Foundations of Folk Magic is a 13 part course in Modern Conjure which has been designed to:
-Give students instruction and demonstration on practical, hands-on, and effective forms of Folk Magic and Conjure.
-Inspire and empower students towards developing a practical, personally relevant, and ancestrally aligned modern folk magical practice.
-Couple our firsthand experience along with historical resources in order to illuminate and demonstrate the role, importance, methodologies, and transmission of folk magical practices throughout various cultures, time periods, and locales. At its core ‘Folk Magic’ references practical and effective forms of magic which are culturally relevant and often draw upon easily accessible materials and common household objects in order to achieve miraculous results. This is the magic of everyday needs, desires, and survival which has been employed by common folks and magical specialists alike throughout history. Far from being relics frozen in time, folk magical traditions adapt and persist in response to the changing needs of both individuals and the larger community. Many of these practices are still alive, still relevant, and still evolving in the current era. In this course, informed by firsthand experience within conjuring traditions and extensive historical research we seek to explore what folk magic looks like to the modern practitioner. And further, to empower students with practical knowledge and hands on demonstrations to assist them in crafting a practice which is personally meaningful, ancestrally aligned, and magically effective. Sessions of this course are prerecorded and released every other week. Which will allow you plenty of time to watch the class videos at your leisure.
We will also have periodic live sessions to answer any questions from students as well as an optional course forum on Facebook where students can ask questions, share, and connect with eachother. Classes in this course will explore the following topics: Session 1 – The Origins of Conjure . Introduction, Definitions, and History. The role of Folk Magic in the modern world. Session 2 – Building Ancestral Practices. Working with Spirits and Saints. Session 3 – Books of Magic and Methods of Divination Session 4 – Herbs, Charms, and Cures Session 5 – Crossroad and Graveyard Work. Dirts, Powders, and Foot Track Work Session 6 – Incense, Oils, and Perfumes Session 7 – Psalms, Name Papers, and Magical Seals Session 8 – The Evil Eye, Protection, Court Case and Justice work Session 9 –Witchcraft, Crossing and Cursing Session 10 – Effigies, Poppets, Doll Babies, and Image Magic Session 11 – Candle and Lamp Magic Session 12 – Charm Bags, Packets, and Mojo Hands Session 13 – Magic for Money and Love This course will also provide:
– Suggested homework and reading materials for expanding their knowledge and experiences.
– Optional quizzes for students to complete in order to receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course Cultural Preservation: In an effort to preserve cultural heritage and support communities which have been keepers of, and contributors to the rich tapestry of American folk magical traditions, 10% of all profits from this course will be split three ways and donated to the following organizations:
Foxfire
African American Heritage Preservation Foundation
Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness Though the breadth of what might be called folk magic inarguably spans many countries and continents, the historical focus of Foundations of Folk Magic is primarily centered upon the conjure and folk magical traditions of the United States, p articularly those traditions from the Eastern to the Midwest regions of the country, as well as our personal experiences and study within them. That said, this course is designed for the contemporary practitioner living within, and adapting to the modern world. Focus will also be placed upon ways of applying practical magic to everyday life, as well as enriching our personal practice through the research and incorporation of ancestrally relevant and/or regional folk traditions. I’m also very happy to announce that this course will feature an additional teacher. As the former TA for the course, fellow folk magician Devin McElderry joins me to present expanded materials and add his perspectives. About the Presenters: About the Presenters: Matthew Venus:
Matthew is an artist, folk magician, and witch. He is the owner of Spiritus Arcanum and has been a student and practitioner of the magical arts for 30+ years. He has been a presented teachings on various magical subjects throughout the country publicly, privately, and online for over two decades. With an animist approach towards spirit work and ancestral veneration at its center, his personal practice revolves primarily around folkloric traditional witchcraft and the folk magical, herbal, and conjure traditions of North America and the UK. Devin McElderry:
Raised on a family farm in rural Arkansas, Devin is an herbalist and amateur folklorist. Descended from a lineage of Appalachian coal miners, moonshiners, preachers, and granny women, Devin has devoted the past 17 years to preserving the folk customs, spiritual practices, and healing modalities of Appalachia, the Ozarks, and the cultures that inform their traditions.
Additionally, smell is an essential part of our daily lives, even if we don't always consciously realize it. We use our sense of smell to determine if food is spoiled or safe to eat, to identify potential dangers such as gas leaks or fires, and to navigate the world around us. Through our nose, we are constantly receiving a stream of information about our environment. The magic of smell extends beyond our personal experiences and emotions. It has been harnessed in various industries, such as marketing and retail, to create specific atmospheres and influence consumer behavior. Businesses understand the power of scent in creating positive associations with their brand, leading to increased sales and customer loyalty. In conclusion, smell is a powerful sense that possesses the ability to transport us to different times and places, evoke emotions, and influence our behavior. It is a truly magical sense that enhances our lives in ways we may not always fully appreciate. So next time you catch a whiff of a familiar scent, take a moment to truly savor the magic it brings with it..
Reviews for "The transformative power of scent in personal growth and self-care practices"
- John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Smell the Magic". The scent was overwhelming and gave me a headache. I thought it would be a fresh, pleasant fragrance, but it was just too strong to enjoy. I had to immediately wash it off and unfortunately, the scent lingered for hours. I wouldn't recommend this product to anyone who is sensitive to strong smells.
- Emily - 1 star - "Smell the Magic" was a total letdown for me. The scent was supposed to be enchanting and captivating, but it just smelled cheap and artificial. It reminded me of a strong, synthetic perfume that my grandma used to wear. The packaging was also unappealing, and the bottle leaked during shipping, resulting in a huge mess. I would not purchase this product again.
- David - 3 stars - I was quite underwhelmed with "Smell the Magic". While the scent was unique and intriguing at first, it quickly faded after just a few minutes. I expected the fragrance to last longer, especially considering its price. Additionally, the bottle was difficult to open, and I ended up spilling some of the product. Overall, it was not worth the hype for me.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I was really excited to try "Smell the Magic" after reading positive reviews, but it didn't live up to my expectations. The fragrance was too cloying and sickly sweet for my taste. It reminded me of an overpowering air freshener, and I couldn't stand having it on me for more than a few minutes. The product also didn't come with a spritzer, making it difficult to apply without wasting excessive amounts. I would not repurchase it.