Michaelmas 2023

Happy full moon and happy Michaelmas!🔥 This year I’ve been looking forward to celebrating one of my most-loved spirits.

Archangel Michael (from the Hebrew "who is like God?") is humanity’s great defender. As a protector and guardian, he can defeat any evil spirit. Even just whispering his name will summon him in your defense. He is a special protector of victims of SA, and as the guardian of firefighters, I’ve asked him on several occasions to keep watch over my husband.

In yesterday’s newsletter for patrons, I included a Michaelmas guide with background on Michael’s role in folk magic and several ways to invoke him for protection and hex-reversal. One traditional method in Appalachian magic is the use of Himmelsbriefs. These “letters from Heaven” were religious documents written by God (legend says they fell from the sky) and carried by individuals, especially during times of hardship and war. They’re powerful talismans against misfortune and often call upon Michael for extra protection.

Now that we’ve reached Michaelmas, I’m in full fall mode. If you’ve been following my stories, you know that I’ve already been thrown headfirst into ancestor work. I’m looking forward to sharing more of that adventure.

I’ll have three harvest-themed folk Mary statuettes available today for patrons (they’ll be switched to public on Saturday morning).

Happy October!🎃

Bowl holding grains of paradise by artist @corey.d.bush.

To learn more about me and my Appalachian folk practice, including info on folk witchcraft, mountain magic, and hearthcraft, please visit gritchenwitch.com or join my Patreon at patreon.com/gritchenwitch.

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