Pokémon Go and Magic

Wait, you say, not another blog post about Pokémon Go! Chill. Pokémon's release has created a unique opportunity for people to practice their magical skills! Such as: 1) Banishing (Nothing like a good mental banishment to get nosy people off your secluded spot.) 2) Warding (Which part of DO NOT PASS did you forget?) 3) Enchantment/Manifestation (Enchant for finding that Pokémon you wanted! Safe hunting trips! The possibilities are only limited by your imagination!) So get out there, and good luck! You'll need it.

Cursing Phenomena

For those of you in the know, a theoretical question: have you tried cursing states of existence, and what were the results? Say, you cursed your poverty, or your sickness, or maybe your fear. What happened next? I'd like to hear from you, especially @theheadlesshashasheen @qedavathegrey @graycloak and @secretworkings (although he and I have talked a bit about it recently, it's worth hearing his thoughts for the public). Fire away!

Ghost Month Incoming

The month of the Hungry Ghosts is once again upon us. Kicking off on Aug 3, the restless Dead will walk the earth and remind the living that: a) they exist, and b) you better respect. Expect the usual suspects to arise: ghosts will say hi, sicknesses may be a bit more intense, and your body might contemplate the grave a bit more often. "but BDK, I don't think it'll affect me!" well, coolio, thanks majanks bro/sis. Just passing the word. For those who might get hit, wards up, bribe all the things, and enjoy tossing defixiones in graves.

A Small Note

Some of you might know that I was running Patreon on the side, offering tarot forecasts on a weekly basis for donations. Was, because after five months of running it and attempting to enchant for subscribers, it's not working out. And it's pretty clear why: tarot readings are a dime a dozen online. There was nothing special about what I offered. The fact that it was not a priority for people to look into despite my urging was also a factor. So here's the deal: what would you, the average Tumblr occultism, be interested in supporting on a weekly (or possibly monthly) basis from a part-time sorcerer? Because it's clearly not Tarot. But it's definitely something. Lemme know.

This week, look to the east (and pack a parasol).

Another Word on Practice

Not everyone has the same resources that people expect them to have. Some have privacy, some don't. Some have achieved K&CHGA, some have their guardian daimon, some don't. So you beg, borrow, improvise, and (yes) steal what you can. It's a given. But be smart and responsible about it. If you're borrowing practices from another culture, be respectful about it. Mages and willworkers of all types may need do things society frowns on from time to time, but that doesn't give you the right to be stupid about it.

Need that little oomph to push your creative juices to the limit? Coming up dry when you need to make things the most? Then give this 15 minute package of auditory awesome a try! Let me know what you think, and remember - It's free! So share away!

A Week of Gratitude and Offerings

I'm pretty sure that a majority of people who follow this Tumblr could use a little something extra in their lives. So here's a little impromptu tech that I'd like you, dear reader, to try. It'll take some commitment and a fair amount of effort, but I promise that it'll be an interesting experience. Steps: 1) Write down three things you are grateful for and three things you'd like to have more often. Doesn't matter how odd or strange it may sound, as long as you're honest and sincere in your answers. 2) For the next seven days, every time you encounter or experience something that you're grateful for, say Thank You to the powers that be. It can be God, Goddess, specific spirits, It's Great noodliness, Carl Sagan, whatever. Just be sincerely grateful. In addition, ask for the opportunity to continue having these things you're grateful for. 3) During these seven days, at a regular time and place of your choice, offer something that took effort to acquire to the unseen world. Again, you must be sincere and respectful in doing so. The more effort you exerted to acquire the item offered, the better. Remember that once you offer something, you can't take it back. As you offer this thing, say "I greet you, oh spirits and powers of the unseen world. Accept this humble offering that I place before you. If you favor me, aid me and protect me in my works and words. If I have offended thee, I humbly ask for your forgiveness and beg for you to withdraw the obstacles you have laid upon my path. Oh powers unseen, grant me these things that I need (slowly state here the three items that you'd like to have more often). Thank you for listening to me, and as you have arrived in power, depart in peace. " 3) at the end of each day, record your experiences and review them at the end of the week. I guarantee you that if this is done with sincerity and respect, you will have a very interesting and fruitful experience. Feel free to share this with the tag #7DaysofWork - I'd love to hear your results!

Bare Minimum Spellcasting - What Do You Need?

Any mage, willworker, or sorcerer will find that having a small, highly repeatable set of sigils, spells, and prayers comes in handy in a lot of situations. For me, the minimums would be: - a banishing rite - an offering rite - an empowering rite - an enchanting spell - a greeting/conjuring rite - a road opening rite. What else do people think they'll need?

A Prayer To Money

Let's face it: money is a good thing to have. But we often never completely stop to understand what it is in our lives, and be thankful for it. This prayer was written after reading Jason Miller's book on Financial Sorcery. * Thank you, oh spirit of money, for coming to me. Thank you for having moved through me And opening opportunities for abundance, prosperity, and all the good things in life for me. Thank you for letting me honor you in all things. I ask of thee to always come to me And grant me wealth and prosperity. I swear to honor you whenever I can And never to waste the power that you bestow. Favor me, oh great immortal spirit, and bless me in all my days. * Enjoy.

It is not what it seems.

Handcrafting and divining bindrunes on a Sunday afternoon for further use with planetary magic. (Yes, you may use as you will. They're pretty general in usage.)

A Word on Practice

Don't force it. Forge your own path. If you must persist, persist because you want to, not because you have to. As a great philosopher once said, take what you need and discard the dross. If you need a rule of thumb, toss habits of they don't work for you after three days of doing them.

This week, good stuff is incoming! Support the Black Dog Keys Patreon at patreon.com/blackdogkeys for more awesome readings and info!

This week, consider that your comfort may actually be your burden. Support the Black Dog Keys Patreon at patreon.com/blackdogkeys - for $1 a month, you can keep readings like this going every week!

Some Makeshift Magic Stores

- Any religious supply store (bonus points if you barely understand things); - Any bookstore; - Any candle store; - (almost) any coffee shop. Also graveyards and crossroads, but the coin is different and they only take "cash".

This week, you may want to learn a new thing.