Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 13m

And community is life.
Community is resistance.
Community is how we get through anything.

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 13m

Community care has played such an integral part in my care and well-being.

I'm sitting with a cup of tea now, sent by a dear friend, and thinking about how community truly can exist across the miles.

Connection makes the difference. Connection makes community.

1 1

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 14m

This last year for me has been filled with huge transitions & adjustments, pain & grief, confusion & despair. I am eternally grateful for friends who've sent care packages to remind me I'm not alone in this.

Love letters, original art, altar items, teas and snacks, herbal medicine and ritual tools.

1 2

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 6h

💜🙏

Reposted by Althaea Sebastiani

Lisa McSherry @lisamcsherry.bsky.social · 7h

A way to support others through meootual aid . . . and benefit yourself as well.

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 7h

Some transparency re: my upcoming course A Witch's Guide to Ancestor Work.

So far 15% of sales has gone to mootual aid, being redistributed directly to individuals & families within the Pagan community.

I'm hoping to increase that number to 20% by the time registration closes.

#WitchSky #PaganSky

1 1 1

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 7h

I'm a single mom. My work as a teacher and spiritworker is my only source of income. But—now and always—my work is community centered.

Ancestor work is inherently community work.

There's no way that I can teach about this work and not give back to the community that makes my work possible.

4

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 7h

Some transparency re: my upcoming course A Witch's Guide to Ancestor Work.

So far 15% of sales has gone to mootual aid, being redistributed directly to individuals & families within the Pagan community.

I'm hoping to increase that number to 20% by the time registration closes.

#WitchSky #PaganSky

1 6

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 9h

Fuck yeah. It's an enormous shark.

Photo shows the afore mentioned red package, only now it's turned on its end and has been opened. A LARGE shark plushie peers at us from inside.

7

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 9h

When you order your kid a 40" long shark plushie for Yule, and it arrives, and this is what's in the box.

Open it and confirm it's a shark? Or hope it's a shark and leave it compact so you can hide it better?

Photo shows a compact red package, maybe a foot in length. It lays on the floor, before Althaea's knees. They have one hand resting on the package for scale.

2 8

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 1d

The cats really do make it difficult! One of mine wants to chew (not eat, just chew) on the plants and dig in the pots just to see if there's anything in the dirt (she doesn't use them as a litter box, she just digs tiny holes🤦).

1

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 1d

Through 8 weekly lessons featuring live chats, a strong community, and as much (or as little) support as you need, you’ll explore ancestor work through a complete structure developed specifically for witches and grounded animism.

Course begins Monday, October 13.
www.ladyalthaea.com/witchs-guide...

Graphic shows smooth tree roots, tangled and reaching across barren soil. Over top this image is a white box with black text inside. Text reads, “A Witch’s Guide Ancestor Work. A complete structure for ancestor work within a land-based witchcraft context. Gain the knowledge and tools necessary to heal your hurting dead, unwind ancestral trauma from about your family line, and connect with—and learn from—your well ancestors. Registration open. Course begins October 13. LadyAlthaea.com/courses”

3

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 1d

From Lesson 2 of my upcoming course A Witch’s Guide to Ancestor Work.

Beginning Monday, this course will guide you along the path of ancestor work—from setting up a shrine to building spirit communication skills to identifying & healing trauma in your ancestors.
4/

1 3

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 1d

Because it is energy, and because of the connection that exists among those who are family, this trauma ripples across the family line (the bond that connects members of the same family, regardless if they are family through blood or the heart) and can affect subsequent generations..
3/

1 4

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 1d

Much in the way bindweed will wrap itself about another plant, constricting tightly & impacting its ability to grow & thrive, this residual energy binds itself about the spirit body, holding it tight & restricting normal functioning.
2/

1 4

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 1d

Trauma is a wound so great the effects must be dealt with even after the initial cause of the wound has passed.

When we speak of ancestral trauma, we’re talking about wounds to the spirit body that are caused/maintained by the presence of energy not resolved before death.
1/
#WitchSky #PaganSky

1 1 9

Reposted by Althaea Sebastiani

Andrew McGregor - The Hermit’s Lamp @thehermitslamp.bsky.social · 2d

We all want to know where we’re going-but we often fail to connect with that part of our self that has already gotten there! In this workshop, we will connect with our future self. Exploring how to have powerful conversations with them through the tarot. His workshop is happening October 8 by Zoom

1 1 2

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 2d

It was nearly 90 just a few days ago, now 34 tonight. 😵‍💫 My dining room is going to be a jungle.

1 2

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 2d

Temps are dropping into the mid 30's tonight (just above freezing).

How soon till I say eff it and move the (large and unruly) container garden to my dining room?

Loving the small but steady flow of tomatoes.

Photo shows a light skinned hand holding one medium sized tomato and three cherry tomatoes over top and unruly container garden.

2 8

Reposted by Althaea Sebastiani

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 6d

While so much of ancestor work looks like laying offerings on shrines & quiet conversations with our dead, eventually that relationship tending builds momentum. With the support of our well ancestors garnered, the pain of our ancestors is able to come forward, asking for help.
1/
#WitchSky #PaganSky

1 2 9

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 2d

So big, too! I love the big bugs. Especially when they're chill and just hang out with you like this one.

1 1

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 2d

Weekly lessons, as much (or as little) support as you need, thriving community, accessible lessons, a complete ancestor work structure grounded in animism.

Want to know more?
www.ladyalthaea.com/witchs-guide...

Ancestor Work

The connection you have to your ancestors is the most powerful spiritual connection there is. It provides you access to generations of wisdom and allows you to enlist the help of your ancestors to...

www.ladyalthaea.com

1 1

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 2d

Through ancestor work, we can all regain that connection to the past and our ancestors, we can touch something larger than ourselves to which we are directly joined.

If you want help getting started—or going deeper—with your ancestor work, my course "A Witch's Guide to Ancestor Work" starts Monday.

1

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 2d

But this heritage is not lost to you. While you can’t lay claim to the culture of your great-great-great-great grandparents (culture is learned, it’s not tied to blood), you can strengthen your relationships with your ancestors who can help you to recover some of that knowledge.

1

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 2d

Many yt Americans struggle with feeling disconnected from the past, their ancestors, and a clear sense of culture.

Colonialism is directly to blame: it's why your ancestors gave up their language, names, food, clothing, & other aspects of culture; colonialism robbed you of your ancestral heritage.

1

Althaea Sebastiani @althaeasebastiani.bsky.social · 2d

Elevate your asshole ancestors so they cross over, stop being assholes, are freed of their pain, and stop inflicting their pain upon you—so you stop enacting that pain in your own life and on those you interact with.

1 1