Michelle Cunningham ⛤
@oldstoneways.bsky.social
Queer Witch | Pagan Writer | Folklore Collector | Lover of Stones | She/they
UK / Aus / Can
Tla’amin, Homalco & Klahoose Territory
UK / Aus / Can
Tla’amin, Homalco & Klahoose Territory
Pinned
Greetings! I’m Michelle - a queer folk witch with ceremonial tendencies. Practitioner of 25 years, eternal student. Walker between the worlds and between continents. Currently living on the edge of dense wilderness in what is now known as British Columbia, Canada.
Merry meet across the firmament!
Merry meet across the firmament!
Just another Friday night studying the geologies and geomyths of the Inner Hebrides.
January 4, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Just another Friday night studying the geologies and geomyths of the Inner Hebrides.
Candles and pins are common features in folk magic. A damsel desirous of seeing her lover would pierce a candle with two pins, taking care that they crossed through the wick, whilst reciting:
“It is not this candle alone I wish to stick, but my love’s heart I mean to prick”
#folkyfriday #witchsky
“It is not this candle alone I wish to stick, but my love’s heart I mean to prick”
#folkyfriday #witchsky
December 13, 2024 at 9:40 PM
Candles and pins are common features in folk magic. A damsel desirous of seeing her lover would pierce a candle with two pins, taking care that they crossed through the wick, whilst reciting:
“It is not this candle alone I wish to stick, but my love’s heart I mean to prick”
#folkyfriday #witchsky
“It is not this candle alone I wish to stick, but my love’s heart I mean to prick”
#folkyfriday #witchsky
Humour as a form of resistance. Worth the full watch, this is excellent.
@andreapitzer.bsky.social
#witchsky #queersky
@andreapitzer.bsky.social
#witchsky #queersky
A Tiny Revolution | Humor as a weapon in oppressive states | Next Comes What | Andrea Pitzer | Ep. 4
YouTube video by Degenerate Art by Andrea Pitzer
youtu.be
December 9, 2024 at 10:33 PM
Humour as a form of resistance. Worth the full watch, this is excellent.
@andreapitzer.bsky.social
#witchsky #queersky
@andreapitzer.bsky.social
#witchsky #queersky
I’m fascinated by the folklore of objects from antiquity. Legend has that the spectre of a Druid at Rillaton offered travellers refreshment from his perpetually filled cup. One man grew angry at his inability to drain it and threw the cup, only to be met with his demise on the slopes of the tor.
If the Rillaton barrow rings a bell, it’s the find spot of the famous gold cup (left) in the British Museum, on display with the rather crushed Ringlemere gold cup. 1/
December 7, 2024 at 8:40 PM
I’m fascinated by the folklore of objects from antiquity. Legend has that the spectre of a Druid at Rillaton offered travellers refreshment from his perpetually filled cup. One man grew angry at his inability to drain it and threw the cup, only to be met with his demise on the slopes of the tor.
I am a salt-hag. I am a witch of sea-shaken places. The rocks I stand upon are bullied by tides, givers or takers of life upon the moods of waves. My coast teaches better than books both the cruelty of chaos and its beautiful power to transform. – #EmilyCBanting, 1981 #WitchSky
November 30, 2024 at 6:54 PM
Definitely a kitty-witch. Possibly a gallytrot. #folkyfriday
November 29, 2024 at 4:05 PM
Definitely a kitty-witch. Possibly a gallytrot. #folkyfriday
What is common knowledge in your field but shocks outsiders?
The Burning Times myth was largely perpetuated by second-wave feminism. In English speaking countries, those executed for witchcraft were hanged or strangled, not burned. The Old Religion referred to Catholicism, not a surviving Paganism.
The Burning Times myth was largely perpetuated by second-wave feminism. In English speaking countries, those executed for witchcraft were hanged or strangled, not burned. The Old Religion referred to Catholicism, not a surviving Paganism.
Fairies in folklore pre the 19th century absolutely never have wings and more often that not they are regular person size.
(They are also either sexy or sort of evil or both, but that's a more subjective opinion of mine)
(They are also either sexy or sort of evil or both, but that's a more subjective opinion of mine)
What is common knowledge in your field but shocks outsiders?
We don't all have the same number of bones or muscles. There's an average, I guess. We all kind of cluster around it. Some muscles are pretty rare. Some people just invent their own artisanal bones.
We don't all have the same number of bones or muscles. There's an average, I guess. We all kind of cluster around it. Some muscles are pretty rare. Some people just invent their own artisanal bones.
November 26, 2024 at 5:11 PM
What is common knowledge in your field but shocks outsiders?
The Burning Times myth was largely perpetuated by second-wave feminism. In English speaking countries, those executed for witchcraft were hanged or strangled, not burned. The Old Religion referred to Catholicism, not a surviving Paganism.
The Burning Times myth was largely perpetuated by second-wave feminism. In English speaking countries, those executed for witchcraft were hanged or strangled, not burned. The Old Religion referred to Catholicism, not a surviving Paganism.
Bonehorse Rising, by Maria Strutz @mariastrutz.bsky.social
November 26, 2024 at 9:50 AM
Bonehorse Rising, by Maria Strutz @mariastrutz.bsky.social
Bookish Checkpoint!
✦ Last book read: The Charmer’s Root (Roger J. Horne)
✦ Current read: The Witch in History (Diane Purkiss)
✦ Top of TBR pile: Ecstasies (Carlo Ginzburg)
✦ Next anticipated read: Serpents of Circe (Various) & Witches Among Us (Thorn Mooney)
#witchbooks #occultsky #pagansky
✦ Last book read: The Charmer’s Root (Roger J. Horne)
✦ Current read: The Witch in History (Diane Purkiss)
✦ Top of TBR pile: Ecstasies (Carlo Ginzburg)
✦ Next anticipated read: Serpents of Circe (Various) & Witches Among Us (Thorn Mooney)
#witchbooks #occultsky #pagansky
November 25, 2024 at 11:12 PM
Bookish Checkpoint!
✦ Last book read: The Charmer’s Root (Roger J. Horne)
✦ Current read: The Witch in History (Diane Purkiss)
✦ Top of TBR pile: Ecstasies (Carlo Ginzburg)
✦ Next anticipated read: Serpents of Circe (Various) & Witches Among Us (Thorn Mooney)
#witchbooks #occultsky #pagansky
✦ Last book read: The Charmer’s Root (Roger J. Horne)
✦ Current read: The Witch in History (Diane Purkiss)
✦ Top of TBR pile: Ecstasies (Carlo Ginzburg)
✦ Next anticipated read: Serpents of Circe (Various) & Witches Among Us (Thorn Mooney)
#witchbooks #occultsky #pagansky
I’ve only been here a few days but already it feels like a place of joy, magic, and resilience. A collective breath of fresh air. A community. It’s really lovely.
November 25, 2024 at 4:03 AM
I’ve only been here a few days but already it feels like a place of joy, magic, and resilience. A collective breath of fresh air. A community. It’s really lovely.
Canadian apatropaia!
I'm giving a workshop on protective magic in Newfoundland & Labrador this weekend at The Rooms! We pulled a few items from the collections for the event, including a concealed cat, a fisher's grub box, & a potential witch bottle! I'm really looking forward to this! #archaeology #museums
November 24, 2024 at 6:56 PM
Canadian apatropaia!
Tense narratives #StandingStoneSunday
To study the Long Neolithic is to study the duration of intimacy. Not just the intimate relationships people have had with the stones for millennia, but often the intimate relationships stones have with each other. Lithic tensions, power dynamic alignments. – Dr. K. Brophy #StandingStoneSunday
November 24, 2024 at 6:43 PM
Tense narratives #StandingStoneSunday
Deeply honoured to have my writing included in this anthology alongside so many talented witches & occultists.
This book holds some potent workings for dark times. If you need reminding of your own power at the moment, or the power of building resilient communities, be sure to pick up a copy 💙
This book holds some potent workings for dark times. If you need reminding of your own power at the moment, or the power of building resilient communities, be sure to pick up a copy 💙
Reading TODAY!
~ The Danger of Spiritual Bypassing by Moss Matthey.
📚 'Serpents Of Circe: A Manual to Magical Resilience' edited by Laura Tempest Zakroff & Ron Padrón.
#WeAreAradia #MagicalResistance #SerpentsOfCirce @ltzwitch.bsky.social @wrwitching.bsky.social #Witches
~ The Danger of Spiritual Bypassing by Moss Matthey.
📚 'Serpents Of Circe: A Manual to Magical Resilience' edited by Laura Tempest Zakroff & Ron Padrón.
#WeAreAradia #MagicalResistance #SerpentsOfCirce @ltzwitch.bsky.social @wrwitching.bsky.social #Witches
November 20, 2024 at 11:07 PM
Deeply honoured to have my writing included in this anthology alongside so many talented witches & occultists.
This book holds some potent workings for dark times. If you need reminding of your own power at the moment, or the power of building resilient communities, be sure to pick up a copy 💙
This book holds some potent workings for dark times. If you need reminding of your own power at the moment, or the power of building resilient communities, be sure to pick up a copy 💙
Greetings! I’m Michelle - a queer folk witch with ceremonial tendencies. Practitioner of 25 years, eternal student. Walker between the worlds and between continents. Currently living on the edge of dense wilderness in what is now known as British Columbia, Canada.
Merry meet across the firmament!
Merry meet across the firmament!
November 20, 2024 at 8:38 PM
Greetings! I’m Michelle - a queer folk witch with ceremonial tendencies. Practitioner of 25 years, eternal student. Walker between the worlds and between continents. Currently living on the edge of dense wilderness in what is now known as British Columbia, Canada.
Merry meet across the firmament!
Merry meet across the firmament!