#path and practice asks

My practice has frequently been an accoutrement to regular adult life, and for a long time I had to sprinkle it in as frequently as Americans add sugar. I was making the mundane aspects of my life palatable, and satisfying my need for my witchy practice at the same time. What that looked like was coffee with spirits, driving with spirits, mid-day meditation with spirits, and even a little language learning with spirits for a treat. I would “sneak it in” as often as possible. I added 30 mins of reading or research on the end of my homework sessions for school. I would use my assignments to explore something new. I crafted panel discussions out of magical networking and hosted conference panels to encourage sharing about cultural magical practices. For a time it was a “mix in” or an additive to daily life.

As I approach my dissertation, it will begin to become more of my life, more of my focus, and my experience with the mundanes to explain the benefits to those who may not yet understand how witchcraft does anything of value. I am great at breaking down high level concepts into basic civilian knowledge bites. I am independently positioned to do this work in a psychological way and I couldn’t be happier for it.

As a result, my daily practice is going to shift from sprinkling witchcraft like confetti, to much more set times and routine plans. Connecting before researching, before writing, before interviewing, etc, is going to become my norm. The morning offering of coffee will likely grow into an all day never-ending glass of water. I imagine weekday hikes as routine commitment ceremonies and evening baths to continue conversations. I am happily dedicated to this path and I can’t wait to see how it opens up further into the future.

What has been wonderful for me in this is watching my dissertation director go from “I don’t know what you are talking about” to extremely excited about the points and patterns I am sharing. There are multiple people in high level academic positions who are doing things just like this in other fields, and it is expanding at a wild rate.

Right now daily life is transitioning between these two positions, from small bits to larger pieces, from a sprinkle, to a deluge. And for me, it all started with communication while hiking, or a brief hello over coffee.

🧰 What type of workings do you do most frequently?

Note: I use the term spirits here but you could just as easily say divine.

By far, small ceremonies or rituals where I honor the spirit that has tasked me for the day. In my practice, I recieve encouragement in the form of direction; Go out into the woods and find a tree that looks like my face. Under it you will find a symbol. Use it in a sigil to carry into your week. And I trudge out into the wood, I find the tree, I see the symbol, I make the talisman, and I take it home for the following week. Sometimes it helps me with the week’s greatest challenges. Sometimes it sits on the altar and I only understand it in comparison.

Other items it’s a giving moment, to imbue the earth with energy, to protect and preserve the forests and wild places. For those I take a small statue and materials that will decay safely in the space. I anoint the space with spirits and leave a circle of flowers, tea leaves, and nuts behind. I call on the spirit who has tasked me. I offer my heartfelt gratitude or other feelings. I allow it all to sink into the land. I ask for validation and I wait. Sometimes a squirrel will come into the space. Sometimes a bird. Sometimes a wind. Sometimes a dog. I wait for a sign and then I leave.

If I have a worry, or a need, I will go without being tasked and do this. I offer more. I offer wine and food. I bring warm tea or ice coffee that I made from home. I bring fresh bread. I bring oils and herbs that are not of this land and I share them. I ask for help or guidance or clarity, the way I would have asked my grandmother. I share my burden, my mind or my heart, and its heaviness. I talk until I feel lighter. I end with accolades and honor. I then sit and meditate in their presence. Sometimes I will recieve a vision, sometimes they will show me something important, sometimes it is a puzzle to carry into my next session or some item they wish me to make for them. I end with thanks and praises to the spirits for their assistance. I ask for a sign and I seek that sign in a particular way so I know they have heard me. I leave, and return home.

These are my most frequent styles. No two are exactly the same same, but the pattern is: Leave society. Go out into the wilderness. Seek a place undisturbed or unlikely to be discovered where you can feel the energy of the land or the closeness of the spirits. Set up your ritual. Bring spirits for the spirits. Bring flower petals or fruit. Bring what feels sacred or special. Do the working. Share thoughts or feelings. Honor the spirits that you seek here. Look for a sign. Head home.