Just be yourself

Have I mentioned how overwhelming the internet can be? I’m pretty sure I have. Dang. While one can glean much valuable information from the ‘net, you can just as easily get confused and discouraged. Taking a break is a good thing now and then.

One of the things that I had been mulling over in my brain was the “witch aesthetic.” What I mean by that is that the vast majority of posts/pictures that I see when browsing all have this dark academia, foresty, everything is brown and black kinda vibe. “Am I doing it wrong?” I was worried. I mean I know I have been told to just do what feels right to you. And my friend (who has her own practice) her home was not all dark either…except the front parlor room. LOL But a girl starts to doubt herself when so many others seem to be doing it “the right way” – – Until today!

Scrolling through witchy posts, I came across one where her home was brightly decorated and I loved it! It was exactly what I needed to see. I’m not the only one! Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against the darker decor, in fact, I really like it, but it’s just not how I want to decorate at home. You should have seen my daughter’s bedroom. Wow…talk about dark. But it looked so good!

Originally, I had thought that the kitchen of my dreams would have beautiful ocean-y blues but I found a picture of a kitchen that I fell in love with. The colors were muted, not dark, but not bright white either. The farmhouse style sink was black and there was butcher block countertops, floating shelves, a gorgeous gas stove…it was nearly perfect. Who knows when we’ll be able to redo our kitchen, but we can dream. Or maybe sell this house one day and buy one that already has an amazing kitchen. I need a good kitchen.

That brings me to another thing I see online all the time. Labels. Everyone has a label. In fact, in a FB group I belong to, someone asked a question about the type of witch they are/may be, and someone answered with a HUGE list of types of witches. I was a little taken aback with that list. Which one am I? I already feel like I am more of a house/kitchen witch. But even the description of that doesn’t fit 100%. Seems like labels are more of a hindrance than a help. What do you think?

When I read about the “House Witch” it made me think of my paternal grandmother. Her home was the center of our family. Holiday gatherings and any other gathering you can think of was at her home. And she always had a feast set out for the group. I grew up with a very strong desire for my home to be the same one day. I dreamed about my immediate and extended family visiting and having that same magical feeling I had as a child. Unfortunately, It isn’t but my desire to feed an army has never left me. Cooking for my former church really helped scratch that itch, so-to-speak. It was wonderful! I just wish I could do the same again.

Let’s all be sure to remind ourselves that just because we see others practicing a certain way, that does not mean we have to do what they are doing. We do not have to fit into a certain mold when it comes to the way we may or not practice. I mean…I like brighter colors, I enjoy being in the kitchen cooking, creating recipes, sharing with others, the moon, the stars, candles, journaling and making moon water. What kind of witch is that? Who knows? Who cares?

Just be yourself.

k

Moon, Stars, and Candles

Disclaimer of sorts: This was written about a week ago and I never posted it. I was going to delete it, but I won’t. I want to be real with myself. If I’m stressed or confused, or just unsure, I need to just embrace it…So there we go.

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The last couple of weeks have me rather overloaded. My search for information overloaded my Facebook page with so many other pages that are somewhat related and the suggested pages just won’t stop. On those pages are ideas, suggestions, and information provided by dozens of people with varying interests and opinions. Too much! When I get overloaded like that, I just want to throw it all away. Give up.

But no. That is not what I need to do. I am on a lifelong journey to figure out where I belong. What path I am “supposed to” take. Turns out, that has been the problem all along. I can recollect moments in time through my life where I tried to fit in…to belong. Instead of trying to be part of a clique, I need to just be me. We all need to just be ourselves and stop trying to do things “the right way.” You know?

So here’s the thing. I like horoscopes. I think it is very interesting how the timing of our birth can determine many characteristics that we have. I enjoy looking at the sky. The constellations are intriguing as are the planets in our solar system. I mean, the entire solar system is fascinating! I’m on third round of moon water. Tarot cards are making a little more sense to me. But I don’t fully understand things like spells. Truth be told, that kinda freaks me out. The only ritual that I have embraced at the moment is journaling in the morning by candlelight, and at various times of the day or night.

Putting a label on myself doesn’t feel right. Witch? Wiccan? Pagan? Can I just be a moon, stars, and candle girlie? You know…I really like working in the kitchen. I love prepping food for the week. I love cooking. It is peaceful to me. Does that make me a kitchen witch? Instead of fitting into the boxes that others create, maybe I’ll just work outside that box and find what works spiritually for me.

There is a book that I just recently purchased. It is called “Sacred Seasons: Nature-Inspired Rituals, Wisdom, and Self-Care for Every Day of the Year by Kirsty Gallagher. I am really enjoying the book so far. The author describes things like the wheel of the year and there are journal prompts with each chapter, which in turn discuss each season. I’m sure I’ll post more about that as I get into the heart of the book. The fact that there are prompts for writing is something I know I will really enjoy. Writing more is definitely something I want to get back to.

This journey will never end. There will always be something to learn. And I am learning how to be me again. Whether it is enjoying the outdoors again, along with our garden, or letting my words flow across the pages of a journal, or learning about traditions that our ancestors in the old country or our indigenous ancestors practiced, I am going to soak it all in and do it my way.

Right now, I am enjoying the moon, the stars, and my candles.