.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png){kind=spacer}
Episodes 21: Talking to the Dead with A Crow And The Dead!
This episode's guest is the author of the wonderful book "Do I Have To Wear Black" out now on Llewellyn Books, author and coven leader Mortellus (they/them)! They join us to talk to us about their fascinating life so far as a Witch, Coven Leader, Necromancer, Mortician, Medium, 3° Gardnerian High Priestex, parent, and last responder!
Mortellus is one of the busiest people we know, and that's before you take into account what some of their responsibilities actually entail - which is talking to and caring for the dead - our dead. Because eventually Death comes for all of us, we might as well make friends... and stop being jerks about it, which is something Mortellus (and Two Witches!) is passionate about.
.JPG)
Author and Potatomancer Mortellus has been working with the dead for most of their life since visiting the Underworld as a child. Potatoes? Forever.
"Do I Have To Wear Black?" Only if you want to!
SJ isn't lying when they tell you "Do I Have To Wear Black" is the best "death book" they've ever read and is one of their favorite books of the last decade - they still can't believe they get to call Mortellus their friend! HA!
There is so much quality content in this book, it’s hard to know where to even start. Sew a death shroud! Learn how to build a coffin! TOTALLY AWESOME! We particularly love the chapters dealing with the literal DIY "How-to" care for loved ones that have passed on, including a detailed discussion of burial methods, their environmental costs and benefits and legalities.
The book also lays out over 50 different funeral type rituals from various pagan traditions, everything from Druidry to Discordianism - (ALL HAIL THE PERFECT HAIRED ORACLE - that’s right, we even know how to bury our friend and Discordian AP Strange now) and this is the FIRST COMPREHENSIVE LIST like this we have ever seen - HOW COOL IS THAT?
Bumbles bounce - surviving a bumpy childhood is one of the things SJ and Mortellus have in common and connected over.
Mortellus also breaks down how important it is to take into account spiritual beliefs of the recently departed and their survivors during spiritual services and provides a calm, knowledgeable voice that is desperately needed in the world.
Taking back the care of our dead.
In addition to their role as a High Priestex of their own Coven, Mortellus is a Mortician, and holds degrees in Design, Education, Fine Arts, and Mortuary Sciences. Their areas of expertise include necromancy, necrobotany, mediumship, and the funerary rites of minority faith groups.
Besides working as a funeral director in their community, Mortellus also cares for many authentically haunted items on a regular basis, and works hard to treat them with the respect they deserve - which is a big part of why they are The Bagans Slayer.
If you want to know how Mortellus really ruined Zak Bagans' day once (and earned their new nickname, with our admiration FOREVER), you'll have to listen to the episode - of course he totally deserved it. If you didn't totally love Mortellus like we do before hearing this story you certainly will afterwards!
Follow @acrowandthedead on Instagram! Not all of us survived the fire, but they did. ALL HAIL THE BAGANS SLAYER!
The Coven of Leaves - LGBTQIA+ Gardnerians do exist!
"It’s harmful stereotyping to believe there are no LGBTQIA+ individuals in Wicca, and even worse to believe they don’t belong there. We still have a lot to fight for, even in our faith practice, but we LGBTQIA+ Gardnerians (and other BTW/W practitioners) do exist.
One way we create change is by demanding that inclusivity be the rule, and not the exception. Inclusive covens are out there, and have open hearts and open doors for all #pride. - A Crow and The Dead - Instagram, June 2. " - Mortellus, 3° Gardnerian High Priestex. "Our members have diverse ages and backgrounds, ranging from long-standing pillars of the local Pagan community to novices with little background in witchcraft at all. All that is required of a seeker to The Coven of Leaves is a curious mind, a willingness to learn, and a sincere heart."
One way we create change is by demanding that inclusivity be the rule, and not the exception. Inclusive covens are out there, and have open hearts and open doors for all #pride. - A Crow and The Dead - Instagram, June 2. " - Mortellus, 3° Gardnerian High Priestex. "Our members have diverse ages and backgrounds, ranging from long-standing pillars of the local Pagan community to novices with little background in witchcraft at all. All that is required of a seeker to The Coven of Leaves is a curious mind, a willingness to learn, and a sincere heart."
The Holy Vomit Amulet from Big John.
SJ learned about Mortellus and their work from our friend C. Voidberg when they appeared on "The Eternal Void, but with Jazz" and was powerfully drawn to their life's story and work. Feeling a strong pull, SJ asked Mortellus to work on a Talisman with help from whoever on the other side was watching out for them.
Neither SJ nor Mortellus had any idea what either of them were in for, but none other than Big John (SJ's dad, introduced way back to listeners in Episode 3) is who answered their call. Some serious chaos ensued for poor Mortellus when this Badass showed up to try to boss them around for weeks. Unbelievably, they still like us afterwards anyway - HA!
Big John and Mortellus built and stained a fence while they worked on SJ's talisman together. He made them drink terrible beer too. Sorry.
Mortellus' finished protection talisman they made with the help of SJ's father Big John from the other side. SJ calls it their "Holy Vomit" necklace - the layers of symbolism on this piece took our breath away.
The Ethical Will and Why We All Need One.
One of our favorite parts of "Do I Have To Wear Black?" is the discussion on how to craft a document called the Ethical Will. Basically, this is a living document that not only contains your obituary but also could serve as your death instructions, a story recording the best (or worst! ha) moments of your life, and what you want to share with those you are leaving behind. This episode Mortellus shares their own Ethical Will with all of us too (grab your Kleenex).
Mortellus writes on page 47 about crafting the Ethical Will:
“Write it when you are young, and considering the legacy you want to pass to your children; write it in times of hardship when you want to share what you have learned; write it in times of good when your heart is filled with joy -- always be writing it.” - Mortellus on the Ethical Will
All Hail the Bagans Slayer!
Mortellus' excellent blog shares content like an account of a ghost mirror they had in their life, or how you could be haunted by people (like your parents) who are technically still alive. If you'd like to read about their visit to the Underworld you can do that there, too.
Check out Mortellus' web store where they offer ethically sourced ritual supplies including delicious smelling candles with wooden wicks repurposed from coffins, incense, corpse water, grave dirt, coffin nails, ghost water, and even necromantic lip balm. The packages that goodies from A Crow and The Dead arrive in are as gorgeous as they are powerful too.
Make sure you follow Mortellus on Twitter at @acrowandthedead, Facebook & Instagram and pick up a signed copy of their excellent first book "Do I Have To Wear Black?" at Mortellus.com or at your favorite local bookseller!
Just one of the wonderful ethically sourced Spell Kits Mortellus offers for sale on their website. Time to up your Witch Game!
Watch for their second upcoming book for Llewellyn, which they are currently working hard at completing - WRITE FASTER, WITCH! (Just kidding, we know exactly how busy you are, whew!) We're just greedy because the first book is SO. GOOD.
Don't take just our word for it - check out those Amazon reviews. Or, if you have read and loved it like we have, please review it too. More people need to know about this gift of a book, and we should try to get it in every library we know - please ask yours for it!
Mortellus also works Pro Bono to help Missing Persons/Cold Cases. Please see their website if you require their assistance locating a loved one - Mortellus strongly believes that money should never be an obstacle to work with them and they encourage you to reach out to them if you are in need.
You can also reach out to them to inquire about their services as a medium or for other death care work and consulting via their website.
Repurposed coffin wood as wicks in candles? YES PLEASE!
Mortellus recently sourced this Victorian viewing coffin and has been working with it.
Join Mortellus (and Us!) for Book Club!
"Do I Have To Wear Black? Rituals, Customs & Funerary Etiquette For Modern Pagans" will be one of the two July #bookclub selections for @witch.with.books!
Mortellus states, "I've created a great deal of unique content, so I hope you'll take this opportunity to jump in and join the conversation!"
Two Witches will see you there, we can't wait!
A better word for "ghosts?" What about eidōlons?
Two Witches Podcast - guaranteed to be on our bullshit 100% of the time.
Since Mortellus is a professional™ and Two Witches Pod are serious about changing our attitudes around death, we tried to minimize our normal BS this episode ... but this convo about how a painting of Andrea's looked to Mortellus over Zoom during our call was too funny not to share. TW: LANGUAGE, ADULT/SEXUAL THEMES
We could say we're sorry Mr. Rivera for discussing his celebrated painting "The Flower Carrier" this way, but he was a major jerk to his wife Frida Kahlo so, we're actually not sorry in the least. #TeamFrida
.PNG)
.jpg)
.JPG)
.png)