The Witch Trials of Scotland

Historians have uncovered evidence that the chapel, built during the 15th century, was a prison for accused witches while they faced trial and before they were taken away to be executed.

Many historians believe that Aberdeen buried more witches than any other city. 

An iron ring in the north wall of the chapel is all that's left of it's murderous past.

Records have been discovered from Aberdeen's city archives revealing that this ring was installed to chain the witches up while they were being held in the prison.

Aberdeen has meticulous records of their witch trials. These records include payments to the black smith for installing the iron rings that were used to imprison the accused. 

They discovered that 23 women and one man were tried and executed for witchcraft in the city during the Great Scottish Witch Hunt of 1597.

This ring was installed specially to secure those who had been accused of committing witchcraft.

This was the last place these people saw before they were taken off to be killed and their bodies burned.

In 1597 Scotland was in the middle of it's great Witch Hunt under the order of King James VI of Scotland. (that's the King below)

They had everything needed for witchhunting – peat for burning, tar barrels, rope and stakes.

The city’s records include a detailed cost of materials that were used to tar and burn the accused women.

Like so many other stories of accusations of witchcraft, they were often made by people in the community who just maybe perhaps had a motive to see the accused convicted.

The names and crimes of each ‘witch’ are recorded in the city’s records and signed by the provost of the time. There's even a plaque with Alexander's name still in the church. (See below)

Each of those found guilty of witchcraft were taken from St Mary’s chapel, strangled and then their bodies were burned.

No remains of the witches have been found at the site, but excavations at the church have found the remains of more than 2,000 individuals buried at the site.

The remains of the accused “witches” would have been buried somewhere else near or on “unhallowed ground.”

Witchcraft in the Philippines

In the Philippines, this folk medicine woman is reading candles, also known as candle wax or candle drip reading. 

It's a form of scrying where the candle wax is either dripped or dropped into water where it forms a shape that's interpreted by the Witch.

This Filipino medicine woman has been reading candles as a living and is visited by locals for all kinds of reasons - sometimes it's about dwarves and other beings which have been disturbed by people. 

The psychic rituals are meant to satisfy the dwarves or whoever, so that they may forgive the human victim and reverse the punishment.

There are several methods practitioners use in TAWAS:

The Egg

A raw egg is cracked into a glass of water and gently shaken, the egg white starts taking on different forms. The egg-

white is examined for any change in shape that might suggest the nature of the illness.

The Paper

A piece of blank paper, about 4- by 4-inch square, whispered with prayers (bulong), is "crossed" over the body of the patients area of affliction then examined for an shadows or shades for clues to determine the cause of the illness.

Cigarette rolling paper

The paper is smudged with coconut oil; then the healer breathes on it while whispering his prayers chosen. The paper is then brought up to a light to "read" the shapes that have formed that will suggest the diagnosis or cause of the condition.

Candles

A piece of candle is heated and melted on a spoon, then placed in water. 

The shape taken by the candle on the water will suggest the nature of the medical issue to the healer. 

Very often. shapes of dwarfs or elves are seen, and treatments are prescribed.

There is an awareness of Witchcraft and Voodoo in the Philippines that has brought the craft into the mainstream.

Although these practices have been considered taboo since Catholicism was introduced in the 15th century, many Filipino witches are still practicing their ancient customs.

Richard Quezon, the mayor of Siquijor town, the capital of the province, remembers being terrified by stories of evil witches in the mountains that rise from the middle of the island.

“Before, everyone went to healers for things like liver problems or cancer,” he said. “But now, with modern medicine, only those who can’t afford to go to the hospital seek out healers.”

Quezon defends witchcraft. Last month he went to a witch because of a skin condition that wouldn’t go away.

“The medicine from the pharmacy didn’t work, but the herbs and spells from the healer worked right away,” he said. “Some things science can’t explain.”

We Believe In Cactus

We really love cactus…so we keep reposting this.

We have a large indoor cactus garden and we continue to make it larger.

Why?

It’s because we believe that cacti can redirect the negative energy and balance the house energy flow, bringing positive changes into your home.

Cactus Symbolism – What is the Spiritual Meaning of a Cactus?

The spiritual meaning of a cactus is one of endurance. It symbolizes the ability to see beyond what is visible with our naked eyes.

Cacti represent the need to trust that you are protected from danger and threats, and that the biggest threat comes from the armour you shroud yourself in everyday.

The beauty of a cactus lies deep within itself – a vast system of water, nutrients and healing properties. A true self contained marvel.

Cactus make great gifts.

Native American cultures, cacti represent warmth, protection, and (motherly) love. 

Giving someone a cactus is kind of like saying, “hey, I love you!”

In addition, they are not only synonymous with strength but also help to absorb radiation and negative energies, promoting a climate of harmony. 

Cactus may not be appealing for some.

But beneath all the sticklers and rough skin, cacti are one of the most incredible of nature’s wonders you could have ever seen.

They are the ultimate plant for survival as they keep water resources deep within their body and tolerate even the harshest heat.

Cacti are the embodiment of endurance and strength.

Let’s be like Cactus…

Orion Constellation

The Orion constellation has been a fixture in monuments throughout the ancient world, from Egypt, China to Mexico.

Orion was an important constellation to our ancestors, but why?

Why are the Pyramids of Egypt placed in such a way that they mirror the Orion pattern?

The whole city of Teotihuacán seems to be aligned astronomically. 

It is consistently oriented 15 to 25 degrees east of true north, and the front wall of the Pyramid of the Sun is exactly perpendicular to the point on the horizon where the sun sets on the equinoxes. 

The rest of the ceremonial buildings were laid out at right angles to the Pyramid of the Sun. 

The Avenue of the Dead points at the setting of the Pleiades.

The Hopi migrated all over the Southwest and after a series of building villages and abandoning these villages, they came to these three primary mesas in Northern Arizona. 

They call them first, second and third mesas. 

The Hopi mesas shape Orion’s Belt image and it is said that the Hopi specifically came here because of the shape, so  we know for sure that the Hopi were extremely interested in Orion’s Belt and for them his was the center of their universe. 

There are those that believe Orion may have been the beginning of our life on earth.

Who knows? 

Maybe it was, maybe not, but aren't we at least curious to understand why the ancient civilizations that ruled the world, gave so much importance to this constellation.

Why did cultures who knew nothing of each other decide to build pyramids aligned with Orion?

Perhaps our curiosity will encourage us to dig deeper looking for evidence to discover answers to the questions about the origin of the human race and the purpose of life altogether.

Or just maybe we can discover what the ancients understood, that we don't.