The Pale Raven Official

  In our ever-evolving society, the practice of magick and witchcraft has surged into the mainstream more than ever before. Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have created spaces where those curious about ritual magick or various forms of spiritualism can easily find engaging and relatable content. However, this accessibility often comes with a significant downside: vast amounts of misinformation and distorted truths. This is particularly evident in discussions surrounding darker practices such as hexing and cursing.  Many so-called neo-pagans of the "fluffy" variety attempt to rewrite history to fit their narratives about the rules of magick and to further dogmatize what they refer to as “black magick.” In reality, hexing and cursing boast a far deeper history than this newer, sugar-coated approach to witchcraft and rituals suggests. Malevolent rituals, or “black magick,” were simply part of daily life, and there are no documented reports of a spiritu...

Around the world, cats are an important part of the family dynamic. They are loyal, independent, and entertaining companions enjoyed by nearly every culture and country you can think of. Despite their historical associations with omens and negativity—particularly during the witch trials—cats have shown resilience as universally accepted companions. Not long ago, I blogged about the significance of cats in the context of magick and witchcraft. But did you know that cats were a huge part of Viking and Norse culture? So much so that the goddess Freyja is heavily associated with kitties, and even the sternest of the demi-gods enjoyed a feline friend as a companion. Let’s talk about some of the ways that cats were integral to Norse culture. Freyja, the Norse goddess of love, fertility, and war, is an integral figure in Norse mythology, celebrated not only for her beauty and strength but also for her unique association with cats. Often depicted riding a chariot drawn by two large cats, Freyj...

  It's International Women's Day, and to celebrate, I am featuring three lesser-known yet hugely influential women within occult history. One of these extraordinary figures is  Dion Fortune  (born Violet Mary Firth, 1890–1946), a pioneering occultist, author, and founder of the Society of the Inner Light. Fortune's contributions to the realm of magick and spirituality have left a profound impact on generations of practitioners, offering insights that continue to inspire those on their spiritual journeys. Early Life and Education Dion Fortune was born on December 6, 1890, in Swansea, Wales, into a family that valued intellectual pursuits and creativity. Her father was a successful architect, and her mother was a skilled musician, which provided Fortune with a rich cultural environment. From a young age, she exhibited a keen interest in the mystical and the unseen, often drawn to folklore, mythology, and the spiritual dimensions of life. This early fascination laid the grou...

  It's International Women's Day, and to celebrate, I am featuring three lesser-known yet hugely influential women within occult history. The final remarkable figure on my list is  Helena Petrovna Blavatsky , commonly known as Madame Blavatsky (1831–1891). As the co-founder of the Theosophical Society and a prominent figure in the development of modern spiritual and esoteric thought, Blavatsky played a crucial role in shaping contemporary understandings of spirituality, mysticism, and the interconnectedness of all life. Her pioneering work has inspired generations of seekers and continues to resonate within spiritual communities today. Early Life and Spiritual Awakening Born on August 12, 1831, in Yekaterinoslav, Ukraine, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky displayed a deep curiosity about the spiritual world from a young age. Coming from a well-to-do family, she had the opportunity to travel extensively, which exposed her to various cultures, philosophies, and spiritual practices. Blav...