TheWitchWench

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Ostara blessings from my hearth to yours 🌱🐑🐇 Today, light and dark are in balance before we tip over into the growing season. A time to plant the seeds of what you want this year physically and metaphorically. It's also a time to grieve what passed through winter. The journey of transformation through death and release so that we may be reborn at this point. Spring cleaning for mind, body and spirit. For me, I feel like the healing work I have been focusing on can settle in (for now). I look ahead to integrating all I have learnt so far and grow into some new spaces. I'm looking forward to a ritual event I'm attending this weekend with @jadethewrenmoon @islajmacleod and @hollyebonymusic Something I would have shied away from in the past. Eeeek. I'm going through the divorce process now (painful but necessary). When it's done, I will be changing my name and holding a ceremony for myself. I look forward to meeting myself more this year and stepping further into my power. What are you planting for yourself this spring? For more on ostara, my personal journey and a bunch of recipes spells and content to support your practice head over to the bl0g. . . . . . . #witch #witch🔮 #solitarywitch #paganwitch #instawitch #greenwitch #hearthwitch #hedgewitch #paganpride #heathen #kitchenwitch #witchlife #witchcraft #modernwitch #witchaesthetic #norsepagan #celticpagan #priestess #witchschool #oldways #goth #ostara #springequinox #wildwoman (at Totnes) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqAaglZt7yl/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Another glorious day at forest school for grown ups! These sessions leave my heart and soul feeling so full. We whittled, baked potatoes, cooked pasta with wild garlic pesto and nettle soup, laughed a lot at the innuendo, did some grounding and left offerings. The opportunity to just be in such a breathtaking space, without pressure to be good at anything or produce something is so freeing it's an honour to be able to provide such a gift. You know it's good when no knew wants to leave. I started my day feeling a bit wobbly and stressed (due to other things) and left feeling so much lighter and full of gratitude...perfect. . . . . . #witch #witch🔮 #solitarywitch #paganwitch #instawitch #greenwitch #hearthwitch #hedgewitch #paganpride #heathen #kitchenwitch #witchlife #witchcraft #modernwitch #witchaesthetic #norsepagan #celticpagan #priestess #witchschool #oldways #goth #forestschool #grounding #mentalhealthmatters (at Totnes) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp-BIBGtMD1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I realised something today that made me so upset I had a little cry. For over a decade, I have been bringing children to this spot to explore, paddle, overfill their wellies, learn to skim stones, watch the seal, laugh, learn, and grow. I thought about bringing my littlest charges here today, and I realised that due to recent changes in legislation the privately owned companies have taken to dumping untreated sewage in our waterways, it is no longer safe. I recently had a back and forth with my local MP @[email protected] who assured me that this issue would be resolved by 2050. He couldn't/wouldn't explain to me why it had been allowed to happen in the first place. Only the usual false platitudes. Shame on @southwestwater Shame on this government. Stripping children of a childhood for profit. Bring on the revolution. . . . . . . #witch #witch🔮 #solitarywitch #paganwitch #instawitch #greenwitch #hearthwitch #hedgewitch #paganpride #heathen #kitchenwitch #witchlife #witchcraft #modernwitch #witchaesthetic #norsepagan #celticpagan #priestess #witchschool #oldways #goth #fuckthetories (at Totnes) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpxY-M3tNz6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Fresh nails! We put together an Ostara themed set. I love the tiny birds nest...and the snail. Getting my nails done is a gift to myself. We see our hands more than our faces as we go through life. Mine reflecting my personality gives me so much joy. And @zoe_lavender_nail_artist Is the best around. Its all about the self love daaaaaarlings. . . . . . #witch #witch🔮 #solitarywitch #paganwitch #instawitch #greenwitch #hearthwitch #hedgewitch #paganpride #heathen #kitchenwitch #witchlife #witchcraft #modernwitch #witchaesthetic #norsepagan #celticpagan #priestess #witchschool #oldways #goth #witchnails #gothnails (at Totnes) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cps1_sZLv-A/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Ostara is nearly here 🐇🐣🌼 I've been finding it hard to make the transition from winter to spring. The need for rest and hermitism just feels too comfy. One of the intentions I set myself this year was to allow myself to soften into life. So, I'm just taking life as it comes. There is a conflict in me wanting to push ahead, frustration that I want to do so much and stay in my nest and dream. This crossover makes for an interesting combination. Half finished projects creep up on my mind. Despite the drizzly weather today my heart leaps at the sight of new life coming through. The house of all things is calling for some spring cleaning and repairs before we really get going. Maybe 1 more week before I can start planting and push ahead...it's coming. You can find a description of ostara and my personal ritual over on the bl0g. . . . . . #witch #witch🔮 #solitarywitch #paganwitch #instawitch #greenwitch #hearthwitch #hedgewitch #paganpride #heathen #kitchenwitch #witchlife #witchcraft #modernwitch #witchaesthetic #norsepagan #celticpagan #priestess #witchschool #oldways #goth #ostara #springequinox (at Totnes) https://www.instagram.com/p/CppaLWYNxR1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Happy International women's Day! There will be many posts today celebrating woman, particularly famous and inspiring ones. And that's great. I'd like to take a moment to celebrate all the women in my life who have shown me just how powerful we are when we come together. Having been conditioned to compare and tear down from a young age, women are waking up to this illusion designed to divide. We are waking up to why our collective power, rage and sensitivity has been oppressed. In my circles I see the way women from a cross section of the world with different troubles, experiences and backgrounds connect and support each other. This rise of the divine feminine evokes a sense of hope and pride in me that moves me to tears. Yes, there are many women who have done remarkable things to be celebrated. I also want to celebrate the small ways my life has been forever changed through the support of women. From bathroom councils with strangers who have been my savour and best friend for 5 minutes, to the friends who have held me in my darkest moments, making sure I eat and don't slip into self destruction. The late night, setting the world to rights with wine stained lips and open hearts. The women I can rant to and laugh with as we raise each other up. The ones who bring their unique flavour of loving insight to a situation. Who help to reframe limiting beliefs and question what womanhood 'should' be. The strong and the sensitive. Young, old and so very fucking bold. I am in awe of the way you show up in the world. Mothers, witches, sisters, warriors, soul friends, lovers, huntresses, priestesses, healers, world changers and gentle holders, whatever flavour combination of goddess you embody. Here's to the rise of women...the divine feminine revolution! Poem by @nikita_gill . . . #witch #witch🔮 #solitarywitch #paganwitch #instawitch #greenwitch #hearthwitch #hedgewitch #paganpride #heathen #kitchenwitch #witchlife #witchcraft #modernwitch #witchaesthetic #norsepagan #celticpagan #priestess #witchschool #oldways #goth #internationalwomensday #divinefeminine (at Totnes) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpiMm8eNbig/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

When I looked at the astrology for the calender year way back in January, I saw what was coming for March and pulled this face 😳 The themes around this full moon are: ✨️ radical change ✨️opportunity for revolutionary action ✨️ aligning ourselves with our highest purpose (what you feel called to do) ✨️completion of cycles that began in 2020 (think back to where we were in 2020, the journey you've come and where you want to be going) ✨️releasing any blockages holding you back from living your dream life ✨️revolution in terms of relationship dynamics and our relationships to self. If you only engage with 1 full moon this year, let it be this one. You can find my basic Full moon ritual over in the bl0g plus a tonne of recipes and spells to support you. I recommend the spell to call your power back and a bath ritual if you're looking for inspiration. . . . . . . #witch #witch🔮 #solitarywitch #paganwitch #instawitch #greenwitch #hearthwitch #hedgewitch #paganpride #heathen #kitchenwitch #witchlife #witchcraft #modernwitch #witchaesthetic #norsepagan #celticpagan #priestess #witchschool #oldways #goth #astrologyposts #saturntransit #fullmoonritual (at Totnes) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpdLmSArI5x/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I've been working on my relationship with pleasure of late. Deconstructing some of the conditioned shame around it. Not just for spicy reasons but in all areas of my life. I've been questioning where the blockages I have come from. Shame around being 'extra', decadent or lazy. For going beyond just meeting my needs and gifting my self luxurious moments. A lot of it comes from the messages I received as a child growing up with this p@triarchal structure. (No surprises there) That self care leads to being 'up yourself' or spoilt, so I should deny myself. Well fuck that. Removing the blockages I have to receiving begins with giving myself permission to be extra. Last night I ran a bath with products from @lush poured myself some rum in my favourite vessel, lit some candles and allowed myself time to fully luxuriate like the mother fcking goddess I am. . . . . . . #witch #witch🔮 #solitarywitch #paganwitch #instawitch #greenwitch #hearthwitch #hedgewitch #paganpride #heathen #kitchenwitch #witchlife #witchcraft #modernwitch #witchaesthetic #norsepagan #celticpagan #priestess #witchschool #oldways #goth #extra #pleasurepractice #selflove (at Totnes) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpcnRNCNRu_/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Doing some work in the garden this weekend to prepare it for the growing season. I had to clear the old herbs out from my shed as it had a leak in the winter and damp got to it all. Ah well, it provided a nice opportunity to craft a ritual, Bless the garden, release the old and make space for the new. Just need some warmer weather to come now. . . . . . #witch #witch🔮 #solitarywitch #paganwitch #instawitch #greenwitch #hearthwitch #hedgewitch #paganpride #heathen #kitchenwitch #witchlife #witchcraft #modernwitch #witchaesthetic #norsepagan #celticpagan #priestess #witchschool #oldways #goth #blessings #ritual (at Totnes) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpaaLWAN_qB/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Spring? Is that you? I've been struggling to get going of late. My spirit is in spring looking ahead, seeking growth. But my body seems to be struggling to meet me there. Last week I was finding it quite frustrating, but this week, I've found more acceptance for it. This is the first time I am making this transition out of winter without open emotional wounds to tend to. My body doesn't quite trust that it's safe yet, so needs a bit more holding. There is some anxiety coming through which definitely feels like old trauma anniversary stuff combined with the discomfort of not knowing how this works. Some of us feel more comfortable being uncomfortable because it's all we've ever known. This contentment is new to me. To meet this, I've been leaning into somatic practices and making as much space as I can. Also leaning on the spring plant allies coming through like nettle amd cleavers to wake up my system and clear the winter stagnation (you can find more in this on my bl0g) There are some big shifts this month in terms of astrology starting with Saturn transitioning from Aquarius (where he's been for just over 2 years) to Pisces at the same time as the upcoming full moon in pisces. Cycles that began in early 2020 are coming to a close. This can throw up some loose ends that need tying, forgiveness to be found and new Cycles to begin. Think back to where you were in early 2020 and how far you've come. As we move towards this transition, be open to the shifts that happen for you and prepare for a potentially intense time. . . . . . #witch #witch🔮 #solitarywitch #paganwitch #instawitch #greenwitch #hearthwitch #hedgewitch #paganpride #heathen #kitchenwitch #witchlife #witchcraft #modernwitch #witchaesthetic #norsepagan #celticpagan #priestess #witchschool #oldways #goth #astrology #mentalhealthmatters (at Totnes) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpU2mjMtGk6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Thoughts on belonging and spirits of place. If you saw the post from my car last week. You will know I am unpacking some of the wounds I have around belonging and 'fitting in'. I grew up in the RAF, so I moved a lot, I had a traumatic childhood (and teenhood, and my twenties were messy too) for many different reasons. I didn't feel like I belonged anywhere until I found my roots in Totnes and my soul tribe. Looking back though, I was always able to create sanctuary for myself. These spaces were outside by a stream or a tree. As a child, I didn't have the knowledge or language to know how or why a particular place felt safe to me. I would talk to the land and beings in these spaces and make offerings. Feel them talk back to me. Offering me reassurance and wisdom. As I've grown and developed my craft, I use this connection in ritual whenever I work on the land or visit a sacred place. This morning, I remembered I have always belonged to these wild spaces. To ancient kin, trees, earth, and water. The same reason I was outed as otherly by humans. The same thing my ancestors were persecuted for. It makes sense that it is uncomfortable for me to put myself out there now. It was dangerous for them to be open about these things. I will keep going, softly. In their honour. . . . . #witch #witch🔮 #solitarywitch #paganwitch #instawitch #greenwitch #hearthwitch #hedgewitch #paganpride #heathen #kitchenwitch #witchlife #witchcraft #modernwitch #witchaesthetic #norsepagan #celticpagan #priestess #witchschool #oldways #goth #ritual #spiritofplace #wildling (at Totnes) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpM8n6WNKVg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Thoughts on death, grief, gratitude, and transformation through pain. I've been having a lot of conversations about death recently. A topic I don't shy away from. Death is a constant we share with all living things. A thread that links us all together. Not just in beings but in cycles too. I find it beautiful and romantic. To me, it is what makes life beautiful. It's finiteness. I find grief to be bitter sweet and welcome it's lessons because I know that it is an expression of love. It is balance. I'll give you an example: last week while walking O dog. I wanted to go up our favourite track. It was a sunny day and we haven't done it since last autumn. But she told me she couldn't push herself. Fair enough, she's 13 now. So we stopped on the bridge for a rest before turning back. In that moment, I was overcome with grief and love for all we've shared. I thought of the last time we made it up. The Sun on my face, fizzy fingers from picking nettles, butterflies flitting in the golden light of the setting sun and the presence of this friend, leaning on me as we both sat and enjoyed the view from atop the hill. I remember my heart feeling so full. This dog has been a huge catalyst for great things in my life. If I had known that was our last time up there together, would I have done anything differently? Stayed a little longer? Said a prayer of gratitude and goodbye? Probably not. It was perfect as it was. I sat there and wept for a moment. Not because I was sad we couldn't go but because I was so grateful for all the times we have in the last 9 years. Something I may not have noticed or taken for granted were it not for the finite life expectancy of a dog. When it is time for me to go that is what I want to hold onto (and those who know and love me) not that I won't be there anymore but that I was here in the first place to love and be loved. . . . . #witch #witch🔮 #solitarywitch #paganwitch #instawitch #greenwitch #hearthwitch #hedgewitch #paganpride #heathen #kitchenwitch #witchlife #witchcraft #modernwitch #witchaesthetic #norsepagan #celticpagan #priestess #witchschool #oldways #goth #griefjourney #onelasttime (at Totnes) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpAbTXDtxjz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Thoughts this morning on imposter syndrome and anxiety. I've been working on my anxiety for years. It used to rule my life in a really toxic way. Intrusive thoughts, emotional meltdowns, masking it leading to burn out. The usual fuckery. I've come a long way with it, and I feel more confident in myself than I ever knew was possible and yet... I still struggle. I talk to the people I admire, those who I see as adultier adults or witchier witches, and I am comforted to know they still experience the same. It's a natural consequence of putting oneself out there, pushing the limits of comfort zones and growing. Something i have been doing lots of and I am so, so proud of myself. Reflection is important and something I do naturally, but the discomfort is so hard to sit with. I find it gets worse for me when I'm on my period, particularly those first few days. Already in this raw, ( and what feels to me) more vulnerable state. Like my body is saying "this is not the time to be putting yourself out there, we want to be safe and held right now. Why would you do this to us?!" It's very humbling, and at the same time, I would like it to stop now please. More practice for me... yaaaaay...She says sarcastically as she wraps another blanket round herself and faceplants the bed. . . . . . . #witch #witch🔮 #solitarywitch #paganwitch #instawitch #greenwitch #hearthwitch #hedgewitch #paganpride #heathen #kitchenwitch #witchlife #witchcraft #modernwitch #witchaesthetic #norsepagan #celticpagan #priestess #witchschool #oldways #goth #mentalhealthmatters #anxiety #impostersyndrome #adhdstruggles (at Totnes) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co67oXRrSK-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=