I wanted to share a few snapshots of the process of my recent opossum skeletal articulations, and although I didn’t take a photo after every single step, I think these show just how much work went into them.
Photo 1: the bones as they arrived and all of them being sorted.
Photo 2: the skulls being put together
Photo 3: all of the bones after being whitened
Photo 4: the skeletons sorted and the (almost) finished pieces.
Photo 5: the finished skeletons!!
If you have an already cleaned skeleton, or are looking for a custom skeletal articulation, I offer all types of commission work. Just contact me to discuss your ideas!
“Traditional witchcraft is regional witchcraft, it is not and never has been a standardised practice and long may this continue to be the case. The day witchcraft loses regional variation is the day traditional witchcraft ceases to exist”
— Gemma Gary, Traditional Witchcraft: A Cornish Book of Ways (via windvexer)
Okay, if you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m into vulture culture. Usually this means I pick up dead animals (usually from the side of the road) and bring them home, clean them up all nice and pretty, and as a nice twist, will often use them in my craft.
However, if you’re connected to the other side like I am, there are proper ways to go about this.
(Note: Don’t leave baloons. It’s pollution.)
When we collect the bodies of the dead we are taking something from the Earth.
I didn’t realize I was doing wrong at first. When I started collecting deads, I’d bag em up and bring them home.
For nights my husband noted I was sleeping very restlessly. I would talk more in my sleep than before, toss around, and wake up tired.
I have a friend who was raised on the reservation I live on. She came with me to collect some deer parts and said “I knew I brought tobacco for a reason.” I asked her about it and she told me we are taking from the earth so we must give something back to her; an offering if you will.
After I left an offering as a thank you to the Earth, my sleep improved drastically.
Now I don’t always have tobacco on me. I smoke socially and rarely. So I have an alternative for what I leave behind.
HAWK’S HERBAL OFFERING FOR THE DEAD
Lavender: A calming herb used for a peaceful rest.
Cloves: To offer protection in the afterlife.
Thyme: A soothing herb to ease the pain of tragic death.
I take this little herbal blend and give it to the Earth as I take away the body. I thank the Earth for its blessing and wish the spirit a peaceful rest.
A human jawbone engraved with an image of Xiuhcoatl, the Flame Serpent. It is recognized by its segmented body, flowery tail, and curling snout. It symbolizes fire, the dry season, drought, and war. It is the spirit animal of the Lord or Wisdom and the weapon of Tonatiuh, the sun. #tonatiuh
churchyardgrim 