Oct 27, 2012

All Hallow's eve, Night when the veil is thin III



Just briefly here to share some ideas for spellwork  suitable for Samhain . Personally, to me , never enough of ideas of Samhain , for I believe that is one of the most powerful times of the year , when it comes to spell casting and rituals,  more so If necromantic , appeasing, divination related , but any really.  See Samhain is a time of great power, that cunning folk, witches, and simply wise practicing people have always been using, to tap onto and supercharge their spells and rituals.

But before we proceed on practical part, a word or two on  the very holiday’s background and significance

The Celebration of the festival is speculated to  originate from old Gaelic Harvest festival, but that can be considered halfway true. Since the Samhain celebration includes ( not to say that is centered about, although even that could be a valid statement ) elements of typical Festival of the Dead , which was as such universal and celebrated long before Gaelic culture even came to be. The Festival of the Dead, as sort of international, universal holiday ( or Holy day ) , that had been celebrated somewhere form the very end of October , to the beginning of November, and had elements of paying respect to the dead , can be traced even back to Persia and Ancient Egypt.  So I’d say it’s safe to assume that The Harvest festival of the Gaelic did not come to be completely independently , as most occultism  authors  of nowadays  “throw out there”,     and that it had been influenced by the preceding cultures and their customs .  Then , somewhere around VIII centry ( possibly late VII as well ) the festival was Christianized as well, for the Christians started celebrating “All Hollow’s day” ( also called All Saints day, and All Souls day ) dedicated to All the Saints , and to the deceased.  According to an Irish source ( an IX century Irish Bishop and later Saint Ă“engus of Tallaght  )   the festival of celebrating all Saints already existed, prior to being “syncretized” to Samhain, on November the 1st , and was commemorate in April.   For the  “parallel” Christian and Pagans  festival on the November 1st  ( in Anglo – Saxon countries ) , Pope  Gregory III (731–741), is widely held responsible.  Supposedly it was done to   repress and diminish  the pagan  celebrations.   In  19th century ( according to Sir James George Frazer ) the Samhain, was linked to other similar , Celtic countries derived festivals , and celebrated as “Celtic New Year”. [1]

It was ( and still is ) and important, If not crucial time of the year for the Anglo Saxon people, particularly Irish and Scottish, representing the time of the last harvest, when the cattle was made to pass  between the two bonfires to be purged from evil spirits, ills and misfortunes of all kind.   October was a month when the cattle would normally be  killed to   obtain and store meat supplies for the winter, hence why  the full month of the October ( sometimes November too ) is  often called “Blood Moon” or “Harvest Moon”.  Also the very name Samhain ( originating from Modern Irish  ) is   derived from the old Irish, “samain”, “samuin”  , “samfuin” all referring to beginning  of the month November.   The very day is  sort of in-between time,  because for Celts, it had always been a division point between the light part of the year , or summer, and upcoming dark part of the year, the period of introspection and facing one own demons, fears and so on.  Knowing this , it is not surprising to read , mostly in newer occult and esotery texts, how Samhain means “summer’s end” , and when spelt “samfuin” it could be indeed translated to such , “sum” being summer in more than just Irish ( actually in most old European,   and proto-European language ) and “fuin” being sunset or end.   This certainly being consistent with the harvest symbolism.  Pumpkin , was in Europe considered one of the last  Earth gifts before the winter, and it’s power to resist  going bad, and decaying , as well as it’s  , albeit vague, resemblance to human head are some of the reasons this very vegetable became the “trademark” of the holiday, and seasonal symbol. That, and of course the fact the Pumpkin was more available  in States ( USA ) where the holiday was popularized, commercialized  and thus made accessible to  broadest public.  Of course, another possible reason could be the legends of Jack ‘O  Lantern,  although, quite frankly the legend to me seems secular here. The story has few variations, but all mentioning  certain Stingy Jack, a lazy farmer, gambler and a drunk, although a very cunning one. The mentioned Jack running away from either angry mop, some resented inn owner to whom he held debt, meets the De*il somewhere  on the road. The De*il is there to kill him and take his soul, yet Jack was  allegedly  capable to  trick the wicked one into climbing a tree, where he imprisons him by method that  varies depending on region of Ireland , Scotland or Uk where the story is told. Whether he placed  key in Dev*l’s pocket , or he placed Crosses around the tree, or carved Cross in the tree trunk, yet the Adversary remains captured and defeated, unable to collect Jack’s soul, and is released  by Jack , only after  promising  he shall not collect Jack’s soul. This leaving Jack’s soul earthbound, unworthy of Paradise and speared of the He*l due to the contract.  As a sign of mockery, Jack is granted a piece of  fire from the Hades, to illuminates his wanderings in the darkness, which he collects and places in hollowed turnip. Yes, that is where from the commercial Jack O Lantern carved pumpkins most likely originated from. However, in Europe it was customary to use all sort of vegetables with an large  underground trunk, such  as beats to make  improvised lamps, by hollowing and placing a candle inside.  Beets, turnips ( mostly in Ireland ) , sweede or rutabaga were most commonly used. The resemblance of their “root” ( it’s an underground stem really, or even  trunk, root’s are minute  “filaments”   appearing all over it, or near the bottom )  to a head, and the candle placed inside and creating lightning effects had the role to scare away the evil spirits that roam freely during night on secluded places, hence were a popular, and trusty  old apotropaic tool/weapon  of the travelers and believing folk.  Particularly on Samahin, when the veil between the worlds are thin ,  if not even the  thinnest  during a whole year ,   and both the spirits of the deceased and evil sidhe , fae, goblins and what else not, roamed freely being mischievous and  dangerous. Pumpkin , readily available in America , took the role of turnips, beets and other, and rightfully so, indeed , for the Pumpkin hold’s great evil repelling powers, as well as it strengthens the bearer.  It makes a great spirit trap, when prepared and used  correctly. Rattles can be made from gourds and smaller pumpkins to scare away and chase away the various  malicious spirits.

Costumes, another “trademark” of the popularized and urban version of Samhain , referred to as Halloween are also deeply rooted in European folklore.  It originates from the practice of “guising” popular in 19th century Anglo-Saxon countries, particularly Ireland and Scotland.  Guisers or the disguised man  would go throughout the village, offering all sort of entertainment in return for coins  and or food. In Scotland , guised men performed in plays , often those based upon scary and grim motives .  [2] The masking was probably a survival of old  , cosmopolite beliefs,  that ritual masks  frighten and confuse spirits or confer protection.

Finally divinations are common, even nowadays present  practice on Samhain, particularly ornithomancy ( divination by bird’s numbers, sightings and movements ) as well as any love related divination.

The elements of the Festival of The Dead are closely correlated to All Hallows eve, and are incorporated in same. They reflect in setting lights for dearly deceased, setting up a dumb supper for them , leaving food offerings and more. Also they  are reflected through protective  rituals designed to ward off hostile spirits  of the dead, roaming the physical plane  on this day, due to the fact that the veils between the worlds thinned on given day. This also makes  it an amazing time for all sort of spirit communing work , such as all sort of necromantic spells, sĂ©ances , and sprit summoning.  Bonfires form a great part of this tradition , for originally , bones of slaughtered cattle were thrown in , in order to ward  off evil spirits.

Correspondences:

Rituals and spells performed at Samhain  are particularly powerful if and when done for protection, appeasing and banishing unsettled spirits ( literately and figuratively speaking ),  vanquishing fear and mental  disorders,  rites of passage, and love divinations.

The energy of the day supercharges any spell and / or ritual , hence making it ideal to create and consecrate magickal  charms  of all sorts, also   esoteric  oils and other.

Colors associated with the day range from black , over deep/dark blue, indigo and purple , to red, orange and even pale blue, which is used in healing rituals.  However the most commonly found colors in rituals are black, that represents winter, sorrow, death and power over the same, as well as  attuning to the   darker aspects of our personality, and red and orange. Red represents simply fire, for Samhain is a fire festival, and in some parts of the UK , instead of the Samhain, a fire devoted festival is celebrated, on the 5th of   November. Red candles represent power, protection and banishment as well as support to the Sun that is believed to be falling into winter slumber , and encouragement   for it’s spring  return  Orange represents immortality and the joy of such, afterlife and physical longevity.  

Herbs  include ( but are not limited on ) : Belladonna , Bittersweet , Cedar, Myrrh, Aloe ,  Mugwort, Aaron’s rod ,   Fern, Pine, Apples, Cinnamon, Sandalwood, Sage,  Ginger and others. Gems associate with these  days  are Opal, Granite, Onyx , Orange Chalcedony, Smokey Quartz , Cat’s eye , Fossil, Coral and others.

 Spiritual Power  raising ritual

Inscribe a large, purple,  or seven day candle with Elven Star symbol, and place it   over a symbol of Gnostic star on which You have written Your name    .  Light the candle and the incense made from Sandalwood and or Frankincense and Myrrh.  Then chant seven times: 

“On this night, when veil is thin,
I call forth power to  be drawn within
Spirit to spirit, force to me
Bless me with power, so mote it be !  

Or other rhyme You’ve composed Yourself that speaks of Samh ain and invokes power. You can even read a soothing Psalm for example.

Now get some of the following (  an odd number )  : Master root, Solomon seal root, Galangal root, Dandelion root, Bay Laurel leaf ,  Ginger rhizome  , Cinnamon power, Lodestone, piece of Quartz, or Opal stone,  or Onyx and smoke them all with incense.  When the candle burns all the way down, take the symbol of Gnostic star on which the candle burnt, and the remaining of wax and place them all in a purple mojo  bag, along with odd number of ingredients mentioned above, that You have smoked with the incense. As You add each, to the  mojo bag ,  You may smoke them once again and say something along the lines:  I add one more , to gain more power , so mote it be !  If You feel so inclined. Carry the mojo with You when You need quick and powerful boost of power, otherwise keep it safe from praying eyes in Your room, under pillow or in  Your desk.

 Longevity ritual

On Samhain’s midday , get some Honey , Vine and either of: Life everlasting , Linden flowers, Sage and expose them to the light of the Sun for at least  20 minutes . Now latter, set up 3 orange candles so that they form a triangle, and in the centre of them place a chalice or some nice glass cup. Light the candles , and pour little bit of wine, a spoon of honey and bit of powdered or crumbled  herb, mentioned above in a glass, and stir. While stirring, chant:

Gift of longevity I call upon
May body , endure,  blood, flesh and bone,
Vital and pretty  , and of appearance fair
radiant, soft  skin and beautiful hair
Like Sage that in winter shall  not wither
Curse of time  , this body shall  counter
For this I pray on this sacred day
Spirits hear me, ( and  ) aid without delay !

Drink the potion, and You can   add some to Your bath.
 
Sir Cunnigham’s Power oil

According to  recipe by Sir Cunningham, Scott ( given in his book of formulas ) You should combine

·         Orange essential oil

·         Pine essential oil

·         Ginger essential oil [3]

Now, I’d suggest Ginger to be used in form of rhizome chips, or cubes , and also perhaps a dash  of Cinnamon or even some Frankincense tears and Myrrh resin.  If the spiritual power is sought , roots such as : Solomon’s seal, Master root, Galangal root make a great ingredient. 

You can use this oil to anoint onself for empowerment ,  particularily in difficult situations, or prior to rituals and spells, dress candles  , for example purple candle in  the ritual for raising the power , that was discussed earlier in this  text.

 Samhain oil

This is how I would  compose an  oil  formula that  could  be used as devotional  oil on Samhain, or to counter negative magick, or draw and control spirits.

·         Ginger root / rhizome piece

·         Pine essential oil

·         Rosemary essential oil

·         Large Mulein leaf, dry and crumbled

·         Dried Verbena, in a teaspoon

·         Orange essential oil ( few drops )

·         OPTIONAL: Sandalwood essential oil or powdered

·         All in base oil, of Pumpkin seeds  oil

If You feel so inclined You may add some  Patchouli and perhaps a dash of Lavender too.

 NOTES: This article was written and  composed by myself, therfore If  You wish to use any part of it, elswhere online , feel free but add credits: By Shadow of Shadows magick place, Shadow-333@hotmail.com or a direct link to this post :)
CREDITS AND REFERENCES:
[1] “Golden bough” Sir James George Fraser
[2] guiser’s tradition of scaring,  and going through the  village/town and performing, according to  info   given on Wikipedia’s page : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween
[3] “Book of incenses, oils an d brews” by Cunningham Scott
consulted texts and suggested reading:
IMAGE CREDITS: From : www.witcheslore.com ( candles ) and www.wallcoo.net ( the adorable kittens )  and are used here for illustrative purposes merely, without any ill intentions
 

 

Oct 20, 2012

Ashes in spiritual work and magick

NOTE: I dedicate this post to Miss Artemissia, who is  a very dear friend, and a commendable, experienced practitioner. Also I dedicate this post to  her due to her kean interest in "dead" things and dead energies , and for constantly inspiring me to  finish  up his article :)


If You have read my blog posts before, You could have noticed that  I posses a curious tendency to   write about things neglected by most  modern ( sometimes even older, classical ) occult literature. You know, those kind of  rituals /  methods and tools/curious  we normally do not  find being discussed in urban occult societies nowadays.

An artistic depiction of Cindarella, sitting by the
fireplace, ashes representing modesty and humility,
which in given story turned out to be a good base
for new chance and good chenges in life
I decided to do so on this occasion as well. Googling for magick regarding Ashes, and talking to fellow practitioners brought me to what could be metaphorically called an dead end, which has only inspired me to a more voracious and in-depth research of the matter, as much as possible  for me anyway .

Since the ancient times they were a symbol of humility, sorrow, and even a chance for new begging. Just take Cinderella for example,  a poor maiden, always covered with ashes ( cinders ) which did not conceal her beauty. O conteur, the  kindness and humility they stood for, just made Cinderella’s beauty shine brighter, making her more than just a pretty face , making her a commendable spirit as well J  
And I have found some remarkable things indeed!

Even though being an substance ( matter )  that has very little energy, and even that is some sort of special energy/vibration, it is a very handy   stuff to use in magickal workings. Apparently , It has a “hungry”  , extremely perceptive vibration to it, as well as power to end something.     Alchemists say how ashes are  fixatives,  tied to salt and Earthy principles. Technically ashes are unpurified mineral ( salts ) remains  of matter destroyed by combustion. In alchemy however, the common found  ashes are rarely used as such , for they are to be purifie d all until the pure , snowy  white mineral powder remains, consisting of  various mineral salts ( mostly K2CO3 ).  In alchemy, herbal ashes are simply subjected  to calcination or calcining,    constantly heated on a very strong flame, until   the ashes become white.  However, since the calcinations method is very imperfect, it is often combined with water purging method to get the best results, which would call for dissolving the ashes in rainwater and then  filtrating them,  if needed more than once, discarding what  remains on the philter  paper ( or whatever used for  filtration ), and finally evaporating the resulting filtrate ( filtrated liquid ) until obtaining the fine powder. Such, white powder ( mostly K2CO3  as stated above  ) Is the “herbal salt” or “herbal ashes” of alchemy. They are binding and tying, fixative principle of elixirs , stones, even amulets and talismans of a kind, for they have power to “draw and recreate” what was lost. So in a  ( very simplified ) nutshell, alchemists believed that something can shed  most of it’s imperfect parts and draw matter /energy from surrounding to recreate new ones ,  better than previous,  as long as mineral compound ( salt ) was preserved.  The “dead” ashes have had it’s C atoms ( life ) removed and is thus ( according to alchemy ) ready to be reanimated with “universal fire “ and  therefore eneble creation of life on some higher level, often by drawing  same or akin influences to those that material ( in this case herb  ) was infused with.  To illustrate: If You would create Mugwort’s ashes  ( salt ) it’s ashes would make a great fixative in an prophecy elixir or stone.   So Alchemistic calcinaton removes any impurities  that come as natural result of corpus involution, and hence such ashes are ready to be reanimated with new ,  radiant, “universal mercury of the herbal kingdom” ,  that is the more  pure, untainted “ashe” even in larger amount than   that which   the material originally contained .

A decent example of such in form of  talismanic work,  could be  the waxen images  ( often simply geometric figures and stars  ) that were popular  in middle ages, and such popularity had  allegedly  been  inspired by works of Paracelsus , who  had been  ( again allegedly/supposedly )  quite keen on making such.

Lavender talisman example

One  such example suggests  burning  Lavender and Frankincense in censer, using 3 Lavender branches and flowers of it, and as You do that chant  some soothing words of power.    While doing that You must take care to reserve the ashes, for they are latter placed in   Yellow wax poured in form of  triangle. Such talisman is said  to confers great success and luck in all sort of things. [1]

St.John’s wort talisman example

Another similar example I encountered call for finding a small dead frog, which is dried and beaten to a fine powder and  then mixed with  St John’s wort also finely powdered. The resulting mixture is burnt minding to collect the remaining ashes, which are then kept in some ring, medallion  or sachet , used to protect from ill, misfortune, bad luck, and also as an aid in personal empowerment [2]

 In modern occultism, however, ashes are rarely used or even discussed . And the little uses they  have , seem to originate either from bias personal gnosis  of New Age authors,   or from European pagan religions, folk magick as well as inspirations from Judaic and  Christian religion and mysticism. Cross referencing what all  these have to say about it,   I have come to certain conclusions about ashes use in occultism:

·         Ashes have power to fixate , draw specific energies, that are akin to those of a object they originate from ( Alchemy , see earlier in text )

·         Ashes have power to end something , or to symbolically turn other things to ashes or make something fail. This concept  is often used  in Wicca and Pagan magick, as well as folk magick, where ashes “ending” is employed in apotropaic spells ( see example latter in text )

·         Ashes can Uncross or Cross  ( cigarette ashes can apparently cause depression magickaly [3] )   and are hence ingredients of many Conjure powers, most often for blessing, Uncrossing and Crossing ( Hoodoo, see examples bellow ) ,

·         Ashes can be used for divination

As stated above they are often used in apotropaic spells  that can end and “turn to ashes” someone’s attempts to harm, they are to literarily  make the energy sent/directed inactive. Here is an example in a very fine  jar/bottle spell available all  world wide web’s space, actually  under the moon LINK

“Spell  to stop a trouble maker”

Write the name of the person on a piece of parchment/paper
Fold it twice.
Take a lime and cut it twice, once diagonally and once horizontally, but don't cut it all the way into four pieces.
Place the paper or parchment inside the lime and hold it together with two long steel nails.
Place the lime into a clean glass jar and put into it some ash, salt and vinegar and screw the lid on tight. Keep the jar in a secure place where other people won't see it.
When you no longer have need of the jar, pour the contents onto the ground and then recycle the jar.
The ash and salt are supposed to thwart their efforts to cause you trouble of any kind, and the vinegar and lime should sour their own affairs at the same time.  [4]

This very spell reminds me of Hoodoo Mirror box spell J and to me it illustrates well aportopaic ( or even crossing ) power believed for ashes to hold, in European folk magick. I also don’t see why this could not be treated as nice Hoodoo jar spell too, more so If we take in consideration, that Lemon is  used in Hoodoo herbalism to cut ties with someone, here a troublemaker. 

Ashes in Hoodoo and Conjure

I myself had not  yet encountered any articles,  entries ,  in classic Hoodoo texts regarding ashes. However  they make  fairly used ingredient in Hoodoo magick.
To make a Down Home Uncrossing powder all one needs to do is burn black Hen’s feathers and reserve the ashes. They are said to have a great Uncrossing power , as stated in  an  online Hoodoo supplier  catalogue [5]  

Ashes  are also ( reportedly ) and ingredient of certain  Hoodoo crossing powders,  and not just any ashes, ashes  of the burnt Palm leafs  that were blessed on Palm Sunday . Some people attribute this use to  Herman Slater’s formulary, however I have heard  of such ashes being used in Hoodoo, long before Slater’s formulary. 

Sometimes they are ( a coloring  , or a dye )   ingredient in “Black salt” , although better choices are cast iron scrapings or  charcoal, or even chimney soot.

 Judaic and Christian influence

 In old Testament and Torah, ashes play an important symbolic role,   akin , in a way, to that of  Earthly dust. In Judaism,  ashes represent something that had potential before, but no longer has much, as opposed to dust. This however, does not have to be taken literarily, more so symbolically , for as such, they    simply illustrate the humility of Abraham, before the Lord of the Hosts. In Christianity, similarly they represent repentance, and death. In Old Testament it represented sorrow , suffer and  repent.  For Catholics play and an important symbolic role in Lent period  that begins on Ash Wednesday .

It still a custom in some Christian monasteries to lay a dying person  on a Cross patern drawn using ashes. Blessed ashes are sometimes added to food of Monks that fast rigorously, and is used in ritual of Consecration of The Church Ground, even in some funerary rites [6] . Hence once again, we attest power of the ashes to  bring to an end something,  or even  bless.   

Hebrew people and Christians also used ashes, to dust them self, while wearing “sackcloth” , as a sign of resentment and humility, when they’ve felt they’ve sinned.  

 Bible mentions ashes , being employed,  in various places, for example in Numbers 19:16-19:20 ;

Anyone out in the open who touches someone who has been killed with a sword or someone who has died a natural death, or anyone who touches a human bone or a grave, will be unclean for seven days.

17 “For the unclean person, put some ashes from the burned purification offering into a jar and pour fresh water over them. 18 Then a man who is ceremonially clean is to take some hyssop, dip it in the water and sprinkle the tent and all the furnishings and the people who were there. He must also sprinkle anyone who has touched a human bone or a grave or anyone who has been killed or anyone who has died a natural death. 19 The man who is clean is to sprinkle those who are unclean on the third and seventh days, and on the seventh day he is to purify them. Those who are being cleansed must wash their clothes and bathe with water, and that evening they will be clean. 20 But if those who are unclean do not purify themselves, they must be cut off from the community, because they have defiled the sanctuary of the Lord. The water of cleansing has not been sprinkled on them, and they are unclean. [7] 

Or ,
"So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. "[8]   

Or
 "  The word reached  the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. "   [9] 

Mentioned paragraphs finely illustrate  the   spiritual concept of ashes,  which they have in Judeo Christian religion and spirituality.

In China, it is considered to be a sign of death, illness or at least  some sort of misfortune, to spot wet ashes . And more than  just being ominous in certain cultures /traditions/ systems,  ashes often those obtained from ritual sacrifice had been ( and are still  ) used in divination method, known as spodomancy  [10]



Here are few ideas that crossed my mind, regarding  how we could employ ashes in magick ; 

To waste  someone’s fortune  

Obtain a money bill from the person, If You can, If not, use some old , worn out, low amount  money bill.  Also some soil from their yard. Write their name  on it nine times, each time writing in smaller letters . Place it in a jar and  pour some vinegar or lemon juice over it,  and If You feel so inclined, add a whole red pepper . Then  leave it open ,  somewhere outside preferably, for as long as the Moon wanes , so that  the fluid could evaporate. On the “moonless” night ( night just before the New Moon, before the waxing period ) carry the bill nearside the river ( that should be well  dry  and worn out looking  ) and burn it there reserving the ashes as You say :

I burn not merely this bill, but also Your  fortune with it! As the fire consumes the paper and turns it to ashes so shall Your money ( add : decrease, turn to dust, disappear etc. )  !

Mix the ashes with the soil and then sprinkling them over the river’s surface, and watching it being carried away, You could add something along these lines: 

As this ashes and this earth, move away from You, so shall Your wealth run away from  You! So mote it be !

  Peace a nasty ghost spell

If a spirit of a dead person is  being  a nescience and /or a threat,  obtain some of it’s belongings (  while they were alive ) and wrap them in a piece of new, white cloth, tying a knot to secure it. Bury on crossroads, cemetery  or in forest during the waning Moon, and cover the “burial” spot  with mixture of Ashes and Graveyard dirt. Lay it  over the spot, so that   it  forms the mark of equal armed Cross, or  to form and x pattern. You can say something along the lines:

Ashes to ashes,
Dust to dust
Spirit to Spirit

Take them away and set me free!

So mote it be    !

There , I hope readin’ this was if not informational, at least interesting, and provided some insight into how we could use ashes in magick J

Blessings , Shade ;)
NOTES: This article was written, and composed by myself, so If You wish to use any part of it elswhere online, feel free but add credits : Shadow of Shadows magick place,    or Shadow-333@hotmail.com or a d irect link to this post.
CREDITS AND REFERENCES:
[1]  Translated and adapted ( edited )  from “Magija biljaka, I lek I amajlija” by Jasna Jojic Pavlovski, an Serbian  folklorist, ethnologist and anthropologist
[2] as under [1]
[4] Quoted from; http://www.everythingunderthemoon.net/spells/spell-to-stop-trouble-maker.htm  for illustrative,  and explanatory purposes, also reviewing, without any ill will
 [6] according to “Recnik okultizma” by Tomislav Gavric ( “Occult dictionary”  ) 150th page, entry : pepeo ( ashes ) published by “Lento” in republic of Serbia, 2004th , in Serbian. Paraphrased and translated here
IMAGE CREDITS:
used here for Illustrative purposes without  any ill intention s