Day 10: What method(s) do you usually use to contact your deity? (Tarot, godphone, etc.) Why do you like using that method?
A solid mix between tarot, journeying and a little bit of clairvoyance. I enjoy tarot for how easy it is and how little prep is involved - I can light incense and gently call to Them and They'll chat with me. Journeying to Annown and flash clairvoyant images are more taxing but offer a more in-depth communication experience :-)
Day 9: Discuss your daily/weekly/monthly/etc. worship “schedule.” What do you do for your deity? What offerings do you give? How often do you pray? And so on. Are you happy with how much/little time you give your deity? If not, what could you do to change that?
At the minute I'm remaking my schedule for worship and devotion, I work best when I have a general idea of what I'm doing in the next week/month. I use notion and a template I found for it, with some editing, and I'm trialling it as a way of organising myself this week :-).
I give offerings on a semi-regular basis, and it's all kinds (cups of coffee/tea, food, trinkets, etc) as well as devotional acts like painting. I'd love to spend more time in a much more dedicated space, but for now I'm working with what I've got :-)
Day 8: Describe what you have placed on your altar for this deity. If you don’t have an altar yet, discuss what you would put on the altar if you had one. Is there anything “missing” on your altar/are there items you wish you could add? What are they, and why do you want to add them?
At the minute I have a very sparse altar for Bucca - I desperately want to set Them up Their own place but there's limited room in my current living situation for that.
They do have a painting I created for them, a selection of candles, two offering bowls (one for food, the other for gifts - the latter currently contains a blue Worm on a Sting & a soy sauce fish), a teacup and a little bronze cup for drinks gifts.
Some things I would like include a goat or ram skull, a little dancing goat figurine I found on etsy and a soft toy version of them. One day I'd love a larger more detailed sculpture piece but it's expensive to have those commissioned and I'm never satisfied with what I find online.
As well as that, I'd love more room to leave flowers and other softer more ephemeral gifts :)
Day 7: Discuss your UPG for your deity. What inspired those UPG? Afterwards, do a little research and try to find other popular UPG. Do you agree or disagree with that UPG, and why?
Where do I start with the UPG. Most things about the Bucca are UPG because of the previously-mentioned force synchronisation by the church.
Rook mentioned food, so food I shall start with (plus it's easy to write about!). Bucca adores fish, any and all fish, fish native to the coast of Cornwall or fish from far off places. Pie, Sushi, Sandwiches, anything. Absolutely anything.
They don't enjoy red meat so much, at least not farmed animal meat. I've offered to obtain venison or wild meat and They've seemed deeply interested in that possibility, so I wonder if it's more tied to their role as a feral deity.
They have a particular fondness for pies as a way of food prep - and of open fire/camp cooking as a devotional activity. I don't really know what the appeal of a pie is aside from a good sensory experience, but They are absolutely in love with it.
Drinks-wise (which I'm counting it along with food), They are absolutely taken by any type of alcohol, they enjoy coffee too and tea is a particular preference. I often make them a cup when I invite them to sit with me at my desk :-)
Day 6: Describe your least favorite story/myth that involves your deity. Why is it your least favorite? (Is it because it shows a different aspect of your deity that you don’t see often?) Try to turn that negative into a positive, and use this as a learning experience.
I am going to use this prompt as a chance to get mad about the attempted mixing of the Bucca and the folk devil - and the fact that all good or positive stories of the Bucca have been swept away and lost over time so there are only folk-devil stories left.
There are so many of the syncronised-Bucca/Folk Devil figure being aggressive, cruel or violent that it's outright frustrating because it's only ever used in a morality play attitude rather than...about the main thing of the Bucca that is aggressive and wild and out of control which is Their aspect as a weather deity.
A positive of the synchronisation is that there is still SOMETHING left of the Bucca rather than being wiped out of existence.
Day 5 - Describe your favorite story/myth that involves your deity. Discuss why this one is your favorite, and if this story/myth somehow influences your practice.
There aren't many surviving stories or myths of the Bucca because of the attempted assimilation of a lot of Cornish folklore and folktales. The only one that could be based on the Bucca is the Tolcarne Troll - a kind faced man in a “tight leather jerkin” that lives in Tolcarne rock. Whenever the troll chose too, they could make themself visible.
Using an incantation pronounced the proper way and holding three dried leaves ( one of the ash, one of the oak, and one of the thorn), one could call up the troll and ask for information on a past life - all they had to do was set an age or period and the troll would tell them everything.
While the Tolcarne troll is called a mix of odin, a hidden guest and a troll, for me it rings true of the Bucca and Their history in the area. I’ve yet to ask Them about it directly though :-)
Day 4: What symbols/animals/plants/etc. are associated with your deity? Start out by listing the ones that you know.
A lot of Bucca's associations are largely UPG. The first symbol that springs to mind is the Rocky Valley Labyrinth, an animal would be a goat and a plant would be gorse!
Some other symbols I would include would be a stang, a ritual knife and the threefold track. Animal-wise I'd also include a ram/ewe, a Cornish adder, a chough and a hare. Maybe a seal too. Something a little unconventional that I've got no real explanation for is a badger! For plants there aren't many things aside from gorse I can immediately associate with them, maybe heather, blackthorn, yew & a sessile oak tree.
Then, do a little research to see if you can find more. In a separate list on the same post, list those ones, too. Make note of which ones you think fit and don’t fit your deity.
In research, all I could find as a fish (no specific one, but I suspect a pilchard), which makes a lot of sense to me - fish are something They quite enjoy (both the actual being and fish-shaped things).
I also found the horse and the toad. Both of these feel much more tenuous to me than a fish - toads have a general connection to Cornish folk witchcraft, which Bucca is part of, but the toad doesn't seem to be a direct link beyond that. Horses are coinnected to Them through Their wild hunt associations - again related but not symbolic. They seem like more of Jinny's/Ankow's deal.
Day 3 - Does your deity have any alternate names or epithets? If they do, what are they, and what do they mean? What does the name you call your deity mean?
United - (also the 'Grand' Bucca) as a whole and united being, generally invoked and worshipped this way.
Divine Androgyne - highlights their role as an equal balance of two different paired aspects.
God-Goddess - poking a little fun at the often binary separation of deities.
Dhu - Literally 'Black'. The aspect of Bucca that deals with storms, undoing, binding, emotional wellbeing, baneful magic, death, decay, introspection, binding, emotional wellbeing, harvest, solemn ancestor work, new moon, wintertide.
Androgyne Destroyer - refers to the 'destructive' aspects & the divine androgyne.
Master of Wintertide - rules winter from the 31st of October to the 1st of May.
Mother of Storms - They give rise to storms and nurture them into power.
Chief of Beasts - They care for and guide animals (especially wild or feral ones) through the harsh winter months.
Gwidder - literally 'White'. The aspect of Bucca that deals with fair weather, communication, festivals, healing, regeneration, growth, sowing of crops and seeds, mazing, birth and rearing of livestock, good fish catches, celebration, the full moon, summertide.
Fair Creatrix - highlights their responsibility for creation and growth
Mistress of Summertide - Rules from the 1st of May to the 31st of October.
Father of Calm Seas - ensures the summer seas are, for the most part, gentle and welcoming with soothing words.
King of Land - Caretakes the land and it's harvest (both domestic, foraged food and otherwise.
I enjoy calling them "my dear", it's sweet for the both of us :-)
Day 2 - What initially drew you to that deity? (Did they call you? Did you call them? How did you discover their identity? Etc.)
Cornwall is my home and also full of magic embedded in the landscape. When I left the county for university I immediately longed for home and it's inherent magic. I think the Bucca has been about ever since then in one way or another, from that true yearning for home. I was aware of them before that because of the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle.
Even though I was aware of both them and the presence about me after yearning hard for home, I didn't put two-and-two together until Their identity was revealed through dreams and tarot. I was hesitant to acknowledge them at first (a "why me, I'm not special" feeling). They reassured me through more dreams and small external signs before making themselves known as a vision in my bedroom in the role of a dream guardian (I have bouts of the worst night terrors). They have guided and cared for me ever since then!
Day 1 -Name the deity you will be working with for the challenge. Give a quick overview of your relationship with that deity.
The Bucca, both aspects (despite it being wintertide and Dhu being dominant). They're very close to my heart and I care deeply about them - we're currently in the ~ consort ~ phase of the relationship.
I joke about harassing Them a lot, but in truth their endless patience for good-natured ribbing and questions helps reassure me that questions are okay to ask. Of course, Their temper is unmatched when slighted by someone/thing but I've still not felt much fear in Their presence when They have been angered by something. They're a good guiding hand with my craft and outside of it (especially when I'm avoiding things), and They celebrate with me all my achievements with such pure joy :-)
The relationship is laced with true and deep affection (now I know Their intentions behind all the petnames) and I don't doubt new aspects will unfold along the way!
Day 1: Name the deity you will be working with for the remainder of this challenge. Give a quick overview of your relationship with that deity.
Day 2: What initially drew you to that deity? (Did they call you? Did you call them? How did you discover their identity? Etc.)
Day 3: Does your deity have any alternate names or epithets? If they do, what are they, and what do they mean? What does the name you call your deity mean?
Day 4: What symbols/animals/plants/etc. are associated with your deity? Start out by listing the ones that you know. Then, do a little research to see if you can find more. In a separate list on the same post, list those ones, too. Make note of which ones you think fit and don’t fit your deity.
Day 5: Describe your favorite story/myth that involves your deity. Discuss why this one is your favorite, and if this story/myth somehow influences your practice.
Day 6: Describe your least favorite story/myth that involves your deity. Why is it your least favorite? (Is it because it shows a different aspect of your deity that you don’t see often?) Try to turn that negative into a positive, and use this as a learning experience.
Day 7: Discuss your UPG for your deity. What inspired those UPG? Afterwards, do a little research and try to find other popular UPG. Do you agree or disagree with that UPG, and why?
Day 8: Describe what you have placed on your altar for this deity. If you don’t have an altar yet, discuss what you would put on the altar if you had one. Is there anything “missing” on your altar/are there items you wish you could add? What are they, and why do you want to add them?
Day 9: Discuss your daily/weekly/monthly/etc. worship “schedule.” What do you do for your deity? What offerings do you give? How often do you pray? And so on. Are you happy with how much/little time you give your deity? If not, what could you do to change that?
Day 10: What method(s) do you usually use to contact your deity? (Tarot, godphone, etc.) Why do you like using that method?
Day 11: Try using a different method, one that you have either never used or rarely used, to try speaking to your deity. Discuss the results.
Day 12: Reflect on what you’ve learned over the past 11 days. Do you feel like you have learned more about your deity? Are there still aspects of your deity that you don’t understand/are unclear? For Day 12, research anything about your deity that you are still uncertain of. Compile your research, as well as any information you previously learned from this challenge/past research, and combine them into a text post/write them in your BOS/save them to a flashdrive. Keep that information close for future reference. You may choose not to post the compiled list, but post the reflection.
Day 13: Write a poem for your deity. Use you compiled list of information as inspiration. Give the poem to your deity as an offering.
Day 14: Draw deity
Day 15: Create an aesthetic moodboard for your deity. Pick a variety of images that you associate with your deity and arrange them in an aesthetically pleasing way. Give this to your deity as an offering.
Day 16: Create a song list that makes you think about your deity. Give a brief reason for choosing each song, and provide links to youtube videos for other people to enjoy! You can devote the energy you put into this project as an offering for your deity.
Day 17: How did your deity respond to the different offerings you gave? Discuss their response. Did they enjoy one offering more than another? Were all loved equally? Were they less than impressed? How will their opinion of these offerings influence future offerings you make to them?
Day 18: More research! Today, research the deities that are either related to or close to your deity. Include family, friends, lovers, and enemies. Who is your deity closest to?
Day 19: Set aside some quality time for you and your deity. Using a communication method of your choice, discuss the events of this challenge with them. Tell them why you took up this challenge. Ask for their opinion of all of the work you put into it. Discuss their response.
Day 20: Take some time to thank your deity for being in your life. Be gracious.
Day 21: How has your relationship with your deity changed over the course of this challenge? Has it stayed the same? Have the two of you gotten any closer? Are you pleased with the results?
Montol - Penzance, 2021 Photos from Cornwall Live ( source ) Montol is a traditional midwinter festival for the solstice, held annually in...
