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.