On 1) I light a candle to my ancestors (almost) daily, offer beer once a week, and offer worship to those who will have it and thanks to all. I don't currently have photos, as the first photo I got for the purpose was from my folks' wedding, and so had all of my grandparents in it, but obviously included my dad who is still alive, and apparently it's a bad idea to include pictures of the living. I also toast to and thank my ancestors whenever I give a drink offering to the Gods. Mostly I've just felt all this out, but I'm somewhat influenced by Galina Krasskova's Modern Guide to Heathenry and a book she co-authored with Raven Kaldera, Northern Tradition for the Solitary Practitioner. If you are interested in Italian practices specifically, you might also check out folks who follow Roman/Hellenist Polytheism, and specifically veneration of the Lares and Penates.
On 4), wild speculation here, but I do know that when coffee was first being spread through the Islamic world, there were theological debates about its suitability, since it clearly changed how you felt, but in a way very different from alcohol. Obviously they went for it in a big way. Since much of western alchemy has roots in the Middle East, maybe that's a direction to look for discussions of coffee? From a more American (and negative) viewpoint, of course, the Mormons came to the opposite conclusion, and I assume there's some discussion of what they believe the spiritual downsides there to be.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2023-08-28 05:41 pm (UTC)On 4), wild speculation here, but I do know that when coffee was first being spread through the Islamic world, there were theological debates about its suitability, since it clearly changed how you felt, but in a way very different from alcohol. Obviously they went for it in a big way. Since much of western alchemy has roots in the Middle East, maybe that's a direction to look for discussions of coffee? From a more American (and negative) viewpoint, of course, the Mormons came to the opposite conclusion, and I assume there's some discussion of what they believe the spiritual downsides there to be.
Good luck on all fronts!
Jeff