Acorn Baden

05/12/2024

Spell to Pin Truth Down & Pin Accountability to the Wall
This is a spell I crafted.

05/04/2024

Dr. Mai Hussein, Mansour Shouman's mother, wants us to support pharmacist Mohammed Sirdah.

Please watch this video all the way through, like this post, leave a meaningful comment, favorite it, repost it, share it to your stories, and duet it

406 likes, 53 comments. Check out dr. mai hussein’s video.

22/03/2024

I’m hosting a TikTok Live on Saturday (check the link for time in your time zone) about the importance of provoking defections in anti-occupation campaigns like Palestine’s efforts. There is research on this subject. I don’t hear a lot of people talking about it, let alone organizing around it. Are you willing and able to join me as I share about the research, get the conversation going and hopefully provoke some organizing around trying to get “pillars of support” to change their loyalty away from the Occupation?
https://www.tiktok.com/live/event/7347751254069608490?enter_from=share_link

Send a message to learn more

14/03/2024

Please help Mohammed Sirdah rebuild hope by supporting his pharmacy. You can learn more about his story on his GFM and the socials listed there.

Hi everyone, my name is Amgad and , I'm fundraising my friend Mohamme… Amgad Abuwarda needs your support for Rebuilding Hope: Support Mohammed's Pharmacy Gaza

14/03/2024

Please help Fady reunite with his family! Thank you!

Hi, I’m Christina from AZ, USA. Lately, I've been deeply troubled by the unfold… Christina Chapman needs your support for Gaza Journalist Fady: Family Reunion

10/03/2024

Your mission if you choose to accept it is...

43 likes, 17 comments. “Your Mission should you choose to accept it is the Food Flood Challenge!”

09/02/2024

Will you all give me some feedback on this proposal?
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UoYSxZPe5IhMCrVZzJxCXhQaXpce0_32-s3zSrlFTqM/edit?usp=sharing

Video:
https://www.tiktok.com/.baden/video/7333624855763635502?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7198614177816020523

Check out Acorn Baden🍉's video.

17/01/2024

If you plan to take part in the international, interfaith Rituals 4 Palestine on ≈January 31st, please fill out the google form. I’m trying to pick a time where the most people can be available. I’m hoping we can do our rituals (prayers, meditation, chanting, singing, dancing, etc) at or near the same time, regardless of time zone. So far, most of the people who filled out the form are in the USA. I would love to get an idea of people’s availability worldwide.

I'm coordinating a specific day and time where we all remotely “get together” to do collective rituals for P@lestine [also referred to as “❤️🖤🤍💚” due to censoring]? I know that we’re all in different time zones, locations, and have different availability. But with a little pla...

23/12/2023

Hello all,
Do you want to try to coordinate a specific day and time where we all remotely “get together” to do collective rituals for P@lestine [also referred to as “🖤🤍💚❤️” due to censoring]?

I know that we’re all in different time zones, locations, and have different availability. But with a little planning we might be able to coordinate so we’re doing our rituals at or near the same time so they have the most impact.

Different kinds of rituals people can do are prayer, meditation, singing, chanting, incantating, dancing, spell casting, etc. In addition to these things, people are encouraged to do other things in the meantime, like calling representatives, protesting, boycotting, etc.

I’m thinking of doing it on January 31, 2024 to give us enough time to plan and February 1st is Imbolc, a pagan sabbat celebrating the coming of spring.

There is roughly 50 hours between when the first time zone begins January 31st and when the last time zone finishes January 31st. So, depending on the responses we get it may be anywhere between January 30th to February 1st.

I know Abrahamic religions believe in one true god. I do not practice an Abrahamic religion and want to do something from my own practices to spiritually help in addition to the other things.

In World War II a group of British witches got together and performed a “Cone of Power” in an attempt to stop Hi**er from invading Britain.

For those interested, here is a google form to help us figure out the availability from different time zones:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd5y2GDKHMf8EQRaHswbQjy1nA0ZusfzlQ6AiWUp7EMcByR1A/viewform?usp=sf_link

21/12/2023

Rauhnächte: Twelve Rough Nights of Yule
The next observance in my Ancestral Calendar series is the Germanic Rough Nights that lasts 11 days and 12. This represents the difference between the solar calendar year and the lunar calendar year.

This is one instance where the Wild Hunt has come up.

During this time frame there is smoke and incense cleanses. Common incense used are frankincense, myrrh, juniper and pine.

Also food offerings are important during this time.

There were a lot of different kinds of divination during this time. One type of divination was Bleigiessen which is a kind of divination with melted lead, tin, or wax. There was also dream and weather divination. Each day or night of the 12 nights would represent how each month of the following year will be. Also, women could divine their future husband at cross roads.

Loud sounds were also a huge part of these rough nights. These are also called Glockennächte, Bells Night. They also set off loud firecrackers. In some areas they did Perchtenlauf (Perchten Run). Perchten are the creatures associated with Frau Perchta.

It’s also thought that animals can speak during this time. But humans should not try to hear the animals speaking because it can bring bad luck.

20/12/2023

Mothers’ Night / Mōdraniht
There is very little known about this observance. Bede says it’s celebrated on Christmas Eve. I celebrate it on Winter Solstice Eve.
Last year, I was visiting my mother and I went through all her photos and I took out photos of the women from our family. I laid them out on the kitchen table displaying them with pride. Then I sat with my mother and I went over some of the women in our family tree. I shared with my mom all the information I had on each woman going back generation by generation.
Do you celebrate Mothers’ Night? If yes, how do you celebrate it? If not, is it something you would like to celebrate in the future?

16/12/2023

🍉🇵🇸🛑💣🚫💀

13/12/2023

My First Wrap: Tree of Death
I’m excited and embarrassed. I could use some encouragement. I’m hoping to make a modern version of Thorbjorg Little Volva’s outfit as described in the Icelandic Sagas, Erik the Red. The translations say she has gemstones (or precious stones) inlaid in her cloak (overcoat/mantle).
I’m not learning this to sell anything. I’m just doing this for personal reasons.
So, I was thinking I would learn wire wrapping to attach the gemstones to my cloak. I finally got the wire I brought in the mail yesterday. Today, I tried to do my tree of life. It’s not the way I want it but I’m trying to remember that I’m just learning and I might not have the right tools (wire, pliers, hammer, etc).
Ideally, I would use a thicker (lower number gauged) wire for the tree but this is all I have. I also don’t think this is the best wire. I got it off Etsy. It’s “half soft” or “quarter soft”, it bounces back, it bends out of shape, it scratches easily, I cannot get the cut ends to tuck properly, etc.
I’m going to parawire next time.
Eventually, I would like to make a Tree of Life with leaves/beads but I gotta wait to purchase more stuff. I’m severely disabled and on a fixed income so this project is going to take me a long time to finish.
Does anyone know a good place where I can ask questions and get feedback and help?
My hands already hurt! Do people wrap their fingers? I saw someone on Tiktok with their finger wrapped and I’m wondering if that might help with avoiding roughing up my skin and nails.

Check out Acorn Baden's video.

12/12/2023

St. Lucy/Lucia Eve/Day & Lussi Long Night
As I’ve said before, I’m creating a calendar that includes holidays/observances that my ancestors may have partaken in and looking for their pagan roots or looking for ways I can add my own pagan practices to them.
Below I’ll briefly share information about St. Lucy’s suggested connections to Freya, Juno Lucia, Lilith, Little Yule, witches, divination, etc.
In the Julian calendar, December 13th was thought to be the Winter Solstice, a dark and dangerous time. The earliest sunset of the year happens around December 13th, also sometimes called “Little Yule”.
Our pagan ancestors thought that spirits ("gangferd" or “gongferd”--a dialect word that roughly translates as the walking dead) and other scary creatures (trolls, ) roamed through the sky on this night looking for people to sn**ch (reminiscent of the Wild Hunt called Oskoreia in Scandinavia).
It was called Lussinatta (Lucy Night) or Lussi Langnatta (Lucy Long Night).
It was believed that this band of baddies was led by Lussi who could enter people’s homes, via the chimney, and sn**ch children. So Scandanavians hid in their houses on this night, put up protection symbols, lit candles and stayed awake (Lussevaka) to ward of lussiferda (Lussi’s followers). In modern times, people throw all-night parties.
Legend has it that if household members didn’t have certain Yule/Christmas tasks (threshing, spinning, milling, baking, etc) done already they would be punished by Lussi and her misfits. Watch out for Lussi in the windows pressing her face against the panes and shrieking if you have not finished your chores!
In some areas, this was also a night of torchlit parades and massive bonfires to ward off Lussi and her supernatural companions. In some areas, children even dressed up like lussegubbe (spirits). The children would sing songs in exchange for treats.
Germany had a similar tradition where a white-clad girl, named Christkind, walked around handing out gifts, as an alternative to the Catholic St. Nicholas. She was dressed in white with a wreath of candles on her head. The girl was meant to symbolize the baby Jesus and brought with her a boy named Hans Trapp, who was a kind of devil-like figure.
This German tradition may have been a precursor to the Lucia tradition we find in Sweden.
Divination
St. Lucy’s Eve was also a time when the future could be divined. In Austria a mysterious light called Luzieschein (‘the Lucy-shining’) was observed by boys outdoors at midnight, and the future could be foretold from its appearance.
Witchery
St Lucy’s Eve was a mysterious and dangerous time in many parts of Europe, a time when witches were thought to be especially powerful. In Britain, witches and fairies would kidnap anyone who went to bed without any supper. In Lower Austria witchcraft was feared and had to be averted by prayer and incense; a procession was made through each house to cense every room.
Freya
In Scandinavia St. Lucy seems to have taken on characteristics of the goddess Freya who was known as the Vanadis, or the shining bride of the gods. The lussikatter (Lucy cats) or the golden saffron rolls that are served at this time in Scandinavian countries are said to be the devil’s cats which Lucia subdued, and the cats were pictured at her feet; cats were also associated with Freya and pulled her chariot. Freya’s special season was Yule when she dispensed wealth and plenty. The traditional shape of the rolls is a crossed shape where the arms are rolled inward and in the curve are bright pieces of fruit or small candles in the form of a solar wheel. Lucia may also have some aspects of the Norse Sun-goddess Sunna, whose emblem is the fiery wheel.
Juno Lucia
In Italy it is likely that St. Lucia acquired attributes of the Roman goddess Juno Lucina or Lucetia, the Mother of Light who also carried a tray and a lamp, bestowing the gifts of light, enlightenment and sight, who was also known as the opener of the eyes of newborn children.
Lilith
In western parts of Sweden refuse to take part in St. Lucy’s Feast and that she was either seen as a form of Lilith or as a female embodiment of Lucifer. There are many interesting comparisons with Lilith being the mother of the Hidden Folk and demons in Jewish folklore and with Lucia being associated with the Hidden Folk of Sweden and Norway.
Sources
https://www.norwegianamerican.com/victory-light-winters-dark-gloom/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lucy%27s_Day
http://legendsofthenorth.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-darkest-night-of-year-lussi-long.html
https://www.sciencenorway.no/history/st-lucias-day-an-italian-saint-a-german-child-and-a-female-demon-all-play-a-role-in-the-story-of-13-december/1784719
https://annafranklinhearthwitch.wordpress.com/2020/12/13/lucia-saint-or-sun-goddess/

08/12/2023

The Keepers of Civilizations' Numbers
For those that don’t know, I’m working on creating a modern version of Thorbjorg Little Völva’s outfit as described in the Icelandic Sagas (Erik the Red). As I (slowly) gather items I decided to also write a Galstar (Galdor, Galdr, charm, incantation, spell, chant, blessing, prayer, etc) for each item that I’m gathering.

The Galstars are going to honor each item kinda like how The Nine Herb Charm honors each herb. So far I have a cloak/overcoat/mantle, bag, turtle brooches, belt, beads, gloves, and a cane. The cane is going to act as my staff.

I was doing a little research into viking-age staffs and I came across a very interesting webpage that discusses Seidr staffs mainly from Völva burials. Although it also highlights some Druid practices along with weights and measures from various cultures. There’s also some mythology in the article.

The main point of the article is that these staffs likely were mnemonic devices to remember important figures for weighing, measuring, and calculating all kinds of things.

This information blew my mind. I had never heard anyone talk about these things. I did a search to see if this author is mentioned in the groups but I couldn’t find any posts. I’m sharing because I think others will find it interesting.

I really wish I would have copy/pasted some of the most interesting lines from the piece to give you all a sample but I didn’t and it’s far too long to re-read right now.

It was posted less than a year ago: “Martin Doutré, January 1st, 2023 ©”

For over 100-years archaeologists and those interpreting the artefacts they find, have been mystified by the occurrence of staffs/rods/wands found in the elaborate graves of, for the most part, women and situated in, predominantly, Scandinavia.

05/12/2023

December 5th/6th: St. Nicholas Eve/Day
I’m going to give some brief information about St. Nicholas’s Eve/Day from Germany, Romania, Hungary, and France.
I’m so excited because one year ago I started making this ancestral calendar and St. Nicholas Eve was the first holiday/observance I started with. I had a lot of fun. I was visiting my mother and I filled a pair of her boots with a bunch of goodies. I was teaching her about what I had learned about various ancestral practices and showing her videos, etc.
As I’ve said before, I’m looking at holidays or observances that my ancestors may have participated in. I’m trying to figure out if there are any known pagan roots to these events or if I can add my own pagan practices to them.
Some suggest that St. Nicholas was the basis for Santa Clause and Odin/Woden may have inspired Santa but as the link below shows the Santa-Odin connection is flimsy.
Some religious historians and experts in folklore believe that there is no valid evidence to indicate that St. Nicholas ever existed as a human. In fact, there are quite a few indicators that his life story was simply recycled from those of Pagan gods.
Many other ancient Pagan gods and goddesses were similarly Christianized in the early centuries of the Church. His legends seems to have been mainly created out of myths attributed to the Greek God Poseidon, the Roman God Neptune, and the Teutonic God Hold Nickar.
“In the popular imagination [of many Russians] he became the heir of Mikoula, the god of harvest, ‘who will replace God, when God becomes too old.’ ”
When the church created the persona of St. Nicholas, they adopted Poseidon’s title “the Sailor.” They seem to have picked up his last name from Nickar. Various temples of Poseidon became shrines of St. Nicholas.
“In medieval England… in tiny sea ports we find the typical little chapel built on an eminence and looking out to sea.”
St. Nicholas also adopted some of the qualities of “The Grandmother” or Befana from Italy. She was said to have filled children’s stockings with gifts. Her shrine at Bari was also converted into a shrine to St. Nicholas.
The Christian church created a fictional life history for St. Nicholas. He was given the name Hagios Nikolaos (a.k.a. St. Nicholas of Myra).
In the 19th century, St. Nicholas was superseded in much of Europe by Christkindlein, the Christ child, who delivered gifts in secret to the children. He traveled with a dwarf-like helper called Pelznickel (a.k.a. Belsnickle) or with St. Nicholas-like figures. Eventually, all three were combined into the image that we now know as Santa Claus. “Christkindlein” became Kriss Kringle.
Here’s some info about St. Nicholas Eve/Day in these 4 countries.
In Germany, On Nikolasusanbend (St. Nicholas Eve) & Nikolaustag (St. Nicholas Day) children get apples, nuts and toys. As in many European countries, on the eve of December 6 children place a shoe or boot by the fireplace. During the night, Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children, travels from house to house carrying a book of sins in which all the misdeeds of the children are written. If they have been good, he fills the shoe or boot with delicious holiday edibles. If they have not been good, their shoes are filled with twigs.
In Romania, St. Nicholas's Day is also observed on December 6. On the eve of St. Nicholas's Day, children place their boots or shoes near an entrance where Moș Nicolae (Old Nicholas) can fill them with candy and treats. Naughty children receive sticks.
Christmas in Hungary is the greatest festival of the year. Christmas celebrations begin on December 6 and last until the New Year. Christmas is called "Szent-este," meaning "Holy Evening."
Hungarians often exchange presents on two occasions. Christmas celebrations start on December 6, when Mikulas (Santa Claus) visits Hungary accompanied by Krampusz (the devil). Children leave their shoes or boots on the windowsill for Mikulas to fill. Mikulas wears bishop's robes, has a miter on his head, and holds a staff. He has a sack full of toys and gifts on his other hand. The devil has dry twigs in his hand to hit naughty children. Mikulas usually stuffs the children's boots with goodies such as walnuts, tangerines, candies, apples, dates, and chocolate.
In France, the holiday season usually begins on December 5, St. Nicholas Eve. Many years ago, French nuns began leaving gifts secretly at the homes of poor families with children on St. Nicholas Eve. Now French children leave their shoes by the fireplace or radiator hoping to receive gifts.
Sources:
https://talesoftimesforgotten.com/2021/12/27/no-santa-claus-is-not-inspired-by-odin/
https://chucklarkin.com/stories/Christmas_1.pdf
Barbara G. Walker, “The Woman’s Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets.” Harper & Row, (1983) Pages 725 to 726.
“St. Nicholas of Bari (Fourth Century),” Catholic Information Network, at: http://www.cin.org/nichbari.html
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Lancashire_Folk_lore_Illustrative_of_the/SOcE_kzT4OIC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Hold+Nickar%22+-wikipedia&pg=PT74&printsec=frontcover
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Words_of_a_Feather_An_Etymological_Expla/rie3DwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Hold+Nickar%22+-wikipedia&pg=PT150&printsec=frontcover
The Psychedelic Gospels: The Secret History of Hallucinogens in Christianity stated that It is said that Saint Nicholas's legends were created mainly out of folk tales about the Teutonic god Hold Nickar, a malevolent water spirit who tips over boats and torments sailors, or even about Alte Hoerner, which stands for "Old Horney"