Witchy interior design is a style that embraces the mystical and magical elements often associated with witchcraft and paganism. It incorporates symbols, colors, textures, and objects that evoke a sense of enchantment and mystery. In witchy interior design, colors play a crucial role in creating the desired atmosphere. Deep, dark shades like black, burgundy, and forest green are often used to establish a witchy ambiance. These colors are associated with mystery, power, and darkness. However, lighter shades like lavender, deep blue, and silver can also be incorporated to balance the space and add a touch of tranquility.
Outing: Exposing someone’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or gender non-binary identity to others without their permission. Outing someone can have serious repercussions on employment, economic stability, personal safety or religious or family situations.
As an umbrella term it may encompass same-sex attraction and a wide variety of gender diversity including people who might be described in Western culture as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, genderqueer, or gender fluid. This is explained in the activity s instructions, but historical terminology and changes in language over time may be something you want to discuss with students either before or after the activity.
However, lighter shades like lavender, deep blue, and silver can also be incorporated to balance the space and add a touch of tranquility. Textures are another important element in witchy interior design. The use of velvet, lace, crushed velvet, and other rich fabrics adds depth and a tactile element to the space.
The Long Struggle for LGBTQ+ Civil Rights
In this activity, students will read and analyze 10 primary sources related to LGBTQ+ civil rights, then place them in chronological order. The activity will introduce students to a wide range of sources from LGBTQ+ civil rights history and help them understand the issues at different points in time, as well as when, how, and why changes occurred.
The sources range from the 1950 Hoey Committee opening statement during the Lavender Scare – a time when thousands of gay employees were fired or forced to resign from the Federal workforce because of their sexuality – to a 2015 phone call from President Barack Obama congratulating Jim Obergefell on his victory in the Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, that legalized same-sex marriage in the United States.
Suggested Teaching Instructions
This activity would work well for units that include the civil rights movements of the 1960s, or for specific units on LGBTQ+ (LGBT, LGBTQIA) history. For grades 8-12. Approximate time needed is 40 minutes.
Note: Students will see commonly used words from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s in these primary sources: "homosexual" and "Negro" – rather than today's more acceptable terms "gay" and "Black." This is explained in the activity's instructions, but historical terminology and changes in language over time may be something you want to discuss with students either before or after the activity.
To begin, display the activity for students and select one primary source with which to model document analysis. Then ask students to begin the activity working individually or in pairs. They should read through each source, then place them all in chronological order. Remind students to carefully examine each primary source by clicking on the orange "open in new window" icon to see it more closely (this is also necessary to watch the video) and to read the historical context provided for each one.
Instruct students to analyze each historical source in full (and not just look for the date) because they should be thinking about (or writing down) the issues presented, how people tried to change things, and the successes of the movement in preparation for the follow-up questions.
The correct order for the sources is:
1) Opening statement from the Hoey Committee hearings, which investigated the employment of gay people in the Federal workforce during the Lavender Scare – July 1950
2) Harvey Milk's application for the commissioned rank of ensign – November 1951
3) Harvey Milk's letter of resignation from the Navy after an investigation into "suspected homosexual conduct" – January 1955
4) Kameny v. Brucker, the court case in which Frank Kameny tried to overturn his firing from the Army Map Service because of his sexual orientation – 1960
5) Letter from Frank Kameny to President John Kennedy – May 1961
6) Documents from Baker v. Nelson, the earliest same-sex marriage case reviewed by the Supreme Court – January 1971
7) Harvey Milk's speech at San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Celebration – June 1978
8) Photograph of Frank Kameny with President Barack Obama at the White House – June 2009
9) Opinion of the Supreme Court in U.S. v. Edith Windsor, which declared the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional – June 2013
10) Jim Obergefell's phone call from President Barack Obama congratulating him on his success in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage in the United States – June 2015
After the students complete the sequencing of the sources, they should click on "When You're Done" and answer the questions provided. Conduct a full-class discussion based on these questions:
- Which specific aspects of civil rights do the sources cover?
- What methods did people use to work for change? What arguments did they make to support their point of view?
- What do you think are some of the most important successes of the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement? Why do you think so?
- How do the issues in the historical records connect to civil rights issues today?
Documents in this activity
- President Obama's Phone Call to Jim Obergefell
- Marriage License Application and Affidavit in Baker v. Nelson
- Opening Statement of the Hoey Committee Hearings
- Franklin Edward Kameny v. Honorable Wilber M. Brucker, Secretary of the Army, et al.
- Harvey Milk's Application for Appointment to Commissioned Rank of Ensign
- Harvey Milk's Speech at San Francisco's Gay Freedom Day Celebration
- Letter from Franklin E. Kameny to President John F. Kennedy
- Opinion of the Supreme Court in U.S. v. Edith Windsor
- President Barack Obama Greets Frank Kameny in the Oval Office
- Tender of Resignation by Harvey B. Milk
To the extent possible under law, National Archives Education Team has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to " The Long Struggle for LGBTQ+ Civil Rights ".
At 7:45 on a Thursday night, I light a candle and settle in for my Zoom meeting with Krysta Venora, aka “Pink Opal Magic” (who uses they/them pronouns). Earlier in the week, I’d signed up for one of Krysta’s spiritual readings. When I log into our video call for the reading, their room is dark green, and a menagerie of candles flickers in the background. The ambience is simultaneously comforting and delightfully spooky. Krysta, a beacon of positive energy despite the screen between us, radiates.
Worn or distressed furniture can give the impression of a mystical, old-world charm. Symbols and objects associated with witchcraft are often used as decorative elements in witchy interior design. These symbols can include pentacles, moon phases, elemental symbols, crystals, and herbs. These objects are typically displayed prominently throughout the space, creating a visually intriguing and spiritually charged atmosphere. Candles and dim lighting are a common feature in witchy interior design. They create a soft, ethereal glow that enhances the mystical ambiance. Scented candles, particularly those with fragrances like lavender, rosemary, or patchouli, can further enhance the sensory experience of the space. Plants and natural elements are often incorporated in witchy interior design, connecting the space to the rhythms of nature. Dried herbs, flowers, and branches can be used for decorative purposes, and live plants can add freshness and vitality to the space. Overall, witchy interior design is about creating a space that inspires a sense of magic, spirituality, and connection to the natural world. It is a style that encourages self-expression, intuition, and a celebration of the mystical. Whether used in a dedicated sacred space or incorporated into a larger interior design scheme, witchy elements can bring a unique and enchanting energy to any home..
Reviews for "Crafting a Modern Coven: Creating Witch-Inspired Spaces for Living and Gathering"
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