Prompts from Write Your Witchcraft:

What kind of witch do I feel I am?

This is a tricky one for me to answer, because I’m interested in so much that I can’t pick any specific label to cover it all. I suppose that would make me fall into the category of “eclectic” witchery, because currently, my craft doesn’t lean heavily in one direction or another. I’m drawn mostly to dream work, divination, cosmic/lunar witchcraft, and art, but there are other things I’m interested in or incorporate, as well: elements, deities, crystals, weather, seasons, and everyday activities such as cleaning, cooking, etc.

I think, though, that I could call myself a dream witch, not only because of my interest in dreams and dream work, but because a significant part of my craft revolves around manifestation and taking the steps to fulfilling dreams and goals.

Which texts/quotes best describe my current path?

I don’t have any texts at present. This, however, has been my mantra lately:

Moonlight as my aura,

Sunlight as my crown.

Starlight as my soul,

And Earth as my ground.

I adapted this from an affirmation going around on Tumblr: “Moonlight as my aura, starlight as my soul, sunlight as my friend.” For someone as prone to wandering off into daydreams and fantasies as I am, this is a gentle reminder to me that, even though I may resonate most strongly with the heavenly bodies above, and carry that stardust in my bones, I am still alive and present on Earth. Earth has to be my focus, my ground, but I can still carry the cosmos with me as I go about this lifetime.

Do I like research and gathering info, or do I like things handed to me?

I definitely like research, investigation, and experimentation. That, to me, is part of what makes witchcraft an engaging path of evolution. I feel you can grow yourself better when you go out of your way to gather information.

Which things about witchcraft worry or scare me?

The only thing that I’m often concerned about are spirits, really — particularly, the spirits of the deceased. Having never felt the urge to work with them, or communicate with them, I occasionally worry that they might pop up one day uninvited. It’s only a concern because working with a lingering spirit of the deceased is a lot different from working with a benevolent being of the light, like a spirit guide or deity.

However, this is an extremely minor concern because I haven’t ever personally experienced any spirit phenomenon involving the deceased (that I was aware of), and I consider myself fairly practiced with shielding and clearing my home. I haven’t had any issues and I don’t expect I will.

I can’t exactly pinpoint why I hold such low interest in spirits of the deceased. I’m sure I’ve painted at least one or two for clients/sitters without knowing it, but it’s never been something I felt the urge or calling to work toward. And the spirit world must be able to sense the same, because spirits of the deceased don’t seem to consider me a beacon of any kind. If they’ve tried poking me, I remained completely oblivious.

As long as such spirits remain respectful of my space, this isn’t a concern at all. But it’s the only thing I can think of that gives me a sense of discomfort.

What is my favorite element?

This is a tough one, but I’d probably have to give the obvious Piscean answer: water. However, this is very closely followed by air (as a Gemini moon, I can’t say I’m surprised…) Lakes, streams, oceans, rain, snow… Water is such a relaxing and nourishing element for me. Thankfully, I live in the Pacific Northwest, where it rains for three-fourths of the year. I also like water’s associations with emotions, reflections, and inspiration (those creative showers, man).

As for air, I admire the energy behind it. It’s revitalizing and purifying in a way that water isn’t. Growing up, I was always awestruck by the power of the wind (I’m quite interested in tornadoes and hurricanes), and since I spent most of my growing years in the southeast U.S., I was no stranger to storms. Our summer evening storms were always a treat to watch (assuming they didn’t knock the power out, or something).

How do I see gender (roles) in witchcraft?

Gender hasn’t really been a big theme in my craft. I recognize the values of divine masculine and feminine and try my best to balance those values in both myself and my work. It’s an ongoing study, I suppose, but I think I’m most comfortable with allowing my craft to be fairly gender-neutral unless otherwise necessary.

Am I interested more in magic, or spirituality?

Probably spirituality more so than magic, and that’s mostly because I see magic more as a tool than a lifestyle. I don’t necessarily place more value on one over the other, but since my life goals are based on self-development and self-growth, I’d definitely say I’m more interested in spirituality than magic. Then again, I consider magic to be an aspect of spirituality. It’s a tool in the toolbox.

Prompts from Write Your Witchcraft:

Which aspects of witchcraft appeal to me most, which the least?

In general, my favorite aspects of witchcraft are those that build upon self-growth and development, and those that allow me to feel more connected with nature. Deity work is still something “new” for me, but I’m enjoying that immensely, as well as dream work, meditation, mindfulness, and divination.

As for what doesn’t appeal to me, I can say I’m not all that interested in anything pertaining to spirits who have passed on. I still respect these spirits, and this area of work, but it doesn’t seem to be something I’m meant to work with right now. Complicated or time-consuming witchcraft also doesn’t appeal to me.

What do I believe happens to us when we die?

Honestly, I haven’t really fleshed out a full impression of our post-life existence. Part of me feels as though we move on to whatever realm of existence matched our belief system in life. Another part of me feels that what comes next is too vast to be easily grasped by limited human senses. Maybe it’s both of these things, or neither. I can say with certainty that I believe there’s no end, but unless I’m smacked upside the head by certain experiences or feelings, I doubt I’ll ever reflect much on our lives after death because I honestly don’t think it’s simple enough to put into words.

How do I see mythological creatures?

In the decade I’ve been exploring spirituality and magick, I’ve only had one experience with a mythological creature — a dragon — and I honestly couldn’t say whether this was an actual dragon or an entity that resonated with draconic energy. I imagine these creatures exist on some level, perhaps in a realm of spirit that your average person has difficulty accessing, but since I don’t work with them (or feel the pull to work with them), my understanding of them is rather basic. I love the concept of them, though — especially dragons and mermaids. I just don’t see myself connecting with them in the way other witches do.

When do I feel most magical?

I tend to feel magical quite often, so it’s hard to determine when I feel the most magical. Usually it’s during simple moments of my day, when I’m walking to work with my chin up and my shoulders back, with the breeze on my skin and the crows calling above. When I’m sitting on the floor of my room at night with a candle flickering silently on my nightstand and the effervescent tingle of Morpheus’s presence creeping over my arm and scalp. When I shut my eyes and let ambient music carry my awareness to countless other worlds. When I sit before my computer giving shape to entities with a drawing tablet and pen. These things, and much more, make me feel magical.

How much is witchcraft woven into my daily life; is this too much, too little or just enough?

Most of my current witchcraft is woven into small moments of my day, because this, I feel, is what I can accommodate at present. And I like that. I think the witchy “ideal” is to spend hours in a sacred space, whether it’s an altar, a bedroom, a garden, or a kitchen, and work witchcraft until our world feels warm and energized and complete.

I, however, am a creative and restless being with big goals that require a lot of work, scheduling, and dedication. I honestly cannot see how or when I would incorporate more witchcraft into my life. I need to make money to survive, so I need my day job and my business. On top of that, I have other things I’d like to do with my day, including making progress with my goals (because as painful as it is, my ambitious self decided it would be smart to try and be a writer in this lifetime, among other things).

Something I’ve realized since dropping down to part time hours at my day job is that time really flies. I spend three days of my week at home, trying to work on writing or my business, and the hours slip out of my grasp.

Within a few years, I’ll be thirty. Thirty. Everything I told myself I’d do in my twenties hasn’t happened yet. I haven’t published books, or stuck to my intuitive art and readings long enough to really develop my skills. I haven’t read enough books or learned a new language. I haven’t developed technical drawing skills or gone on dozens of adventures to interesting places.

Where would more witchcraft fit if I wanted to work toward all these goals? That’s why what I have is just enough. For now, it’s just enough. My magic lies in the smaller moments, when I wash away the stress of a long day, or steep myself a cup of relaxation at night. Perhaps in the future, I can incorporate a little more, but what I have now is perfect.