Thorn Mooney

I’m so excited to be kicking off 2020 with the new edition of Triumph of the Moon! Our Patreon book club starts today, and I’m writing out the first guiding questions in preparation for later discussion. Here I’ve got both editions, and it’s fun going through my old notes (from 2002!) and seeing what I found surprising and informative back then. I forgot how much I love this book. . . . . . #witchesofinstagram #witchybook #wicca #witchcraft #wiccansofinstagram #babywitchbookclub #witchessociety #witchbooks #knowyourhistory https://www.instagram.com/p/B6yBrd6HJWv/?igshid=1g8y14rmod52s

Here’s a flashback for you: excerpts from a book of shadows I kept in 2004. I’ve learned a lot since then, changed my mind about some things, but I’m grateful to have these snapshots of my younger self (who was so frequently wrong, but possessed a level of earnestness that I wish I could replicate at will). Also, this whole book was illustrated with pastel, which was exactly as messy as you can imagine. Full scans of these pages will be available on Patreon later today! . . . . . #witchesofinstagram #witchcraft #wicca #wiccansofinstagram #bookofshadows #wheeloftheyear #pastel #journaling https://www.instagram.com/p/B6ikIdWHeDy/?igshid=199v48j4irpuw

Weekends home are my favorite. I make coffee, spend the morning writing, posting, and doing work around the house, and then I get to just read, purely for myself. Today I’m revisiting this old friend. Later this weekend, I’ll have a fresh book review, and a new video about advanced books (rather, how to be an advanced *reader*). Shoutout to my Palgrave stack in the background. . . . . . #wicca #witchcraft #witchesofinstagram #wiccansofinstagram #witchbooks #witchessociety #babywitchbookclub #witchyreads https://www.instagram.com/p/B6ECfddnDTj/?igshid=1dc3gwv840yzw

Book reviews will be back this month! I’ll be kicking things off with “Initiated” by Amanda Yates Garcia, which I finished last week, and then moving on to these others! See any you’ve been eyeing? . . . . . #witchesofinstagram #witchbooks #witches #witchcraft #witch #wicca #wiccansofinstagram #witchessociety #babywitch #babywitchbookclub #thornmooneybookreviews https://www.instagram.com/p/B50KbgiHSmg/?igshid=j7yun31qgogj

My second book is coming along, however slowly (I am *not* a fast writer, for sure). This one is teaching me a lot as I write it, and I hope that it will be as useful for others as it has been for myself. Writing by hand is part of my process. I can’t share much of this one yet, but I’ll be posting scans of “Traditional Wicca: A Seeker’s Guide” for Patreon members in January. If you’re curious about how I make books, the link is in my bio (or find me at thornthewitch). . . . . . #witchesofinstagram #wiccansofinstagram #witch #witchcraft #authorsofinstagram #cursive #fountainpen #leuchtturm1917 #wicca https://www.instagram.com/p/B5u7kWxHeHa/?igshid=ozwig40z2zm2

I love witchy YA fiction that draws on actual Wicca (even where it adds fantasy elements), and there just isn’t enough of it. Sweep is equal parts terrible and wonderful, and I reread these every couple of years. I’m still very sad that my favorite series, Circle of Three by Isobel Bird, was never as popular. It was the most realistic, and had the more relatable characters for me. Got any recommendations for us? Especially titles that look to actual witch practices for inspiration. . . . . . #witchesofinstagram #wicca #wiccansofinstagram #witch #witchcraft #youngadult #yabooks #witchyreads #witchbooks #catetiernan https://www.instagram.com/p/B4iFVtWHsVG/?igshid=1tbsmz9wf5r0h

I love witchy YA fiction that draws on actual Wicca (even where it adds fantasy elements), and there just isn’t enough of it. Sweep is equal parts terrible and wonderful, and I reread these every couple of years. I’m still very sad that my favorite series, Circle of Three by Isobel Bird, was never as popular. It was the most realistic, and had the more relatable characters for me. Got any recommendations for us? Especially titles that look to actual witch practices for inspiration. . . . . . #witchesofinstagram #wicca #wiccansofinstagram #witch #witchcraft #youngadult #yabooks #witchyreads #witchbooks #catetiernan https://www.instagram.com/p/B4iFVtWHsVG/?igshid=1tbsmz9wf5r0h

For us, Halloween isn’t the new year. It’s the end of the old year, marking a time of darkness between now and the rebirth of the sun at the winter solstice. I like to use this period to plan for the coming year, set goals, and clear the space necessary to meet those goals. So much of the focus in the last few months has been about making a new home, and now it’s time to turn and consider what sort of place I’ll be building for myself in my new communities, as well as how that will impact me as a writer and covenleader. As always, lots of journaling is in order. . . . . . #witchesofinstagram #wicca #witchcraft #halloween #samhain #witch #wiccansofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Z-wKEnz5t/?igshid=16l8el073tekc

It’s Halloween and I came to WIN.

Pretty pumped about my new hat. 💙 October is flying by, and we’re spending weekends at @carrenfest. . . . . . #witchcraft #witchesofinstagram #wicca #wiccansofinstagram #renfest #carolinarenaissancefestival #carrenfest #witch #halloween https://www.instagram.com/p/B3z20PznNuN/?igshid=16fnxeolq96n9

I’m lucky enough to live in a city with a big tarot meetup! Once a month we meet, eat Italian, and sling cards. Trust me, I’m not taking this for granted. Oh, and go ahead and zoom in on my tarot journal! I would, too. That’s an entry about a meditation in which I selected a card (purely by visualizing the deck—no actual cards were handled) and stepped into it to see what was to my left and right for an additional message. . . . . . #witchesofinstagram #tarot #tarotreadersofinstagram #witchcraft #witch #wicca #wiccansofinstagram #journaling https://www.instagram.com/p/B3sl9ainIcC/?igshid=n3l91kw17mi5

“Show me a witch with a clean, organized altar and I’ll show you a witch without a daily practice.” An early teacher said this to me many years ago. That’s definitely true for me—the more focused and involved I am, the more things spread beyond my designated sacred spaces. My attention is pulled in many directions right now, which is exciting. What about you? Is your magical work neat and contained, or are you expansive and messy like me? . . . . . #witchcraft #witchesofinstagram #witchesofyoutube #wicca #wiccansofinstagram #westernesotericism #occult #ceremonialmagick #tarot #tarotreadersofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B3hroPKnULR/?igshid=1kxdq466kzy9r

It finally feels like fall here in Raleigh. The change always seems to come suddenly here. One day, the leaves just turn and fall. One day you need short sleeves and the next you’re pulling out a coat and hat. This winter will mean buckling down on book two, which I’m very excited about. It got off to a rough start, contending with marriage, moving, new job, and illness. Hopefully the quiet of the coming season will be a little more conducive to writing! . . . . . #witchesofinstagram #witchesofyoutube #witchcraft #wicca #wiccansofinstagram #witchbooks #authorsofinstagram #autumn #halloween #spookyseason #fallcolors https://www.instagram.com/p/B3elzJsnqEH/?igshid=4rftyqamlx16

It’s opening weekend at @carrenfest! My mom took me to the Maryland Renaissance Festival beginning in middle school and now my home faire is Carolina. I got most of my first magical tools over the years at the faire, and have met so many people. Ren faires are a great place to find other witches, Pagans, and occultists, even though these spaces aren’t explicitly magical. The combination of history, fantasy, and play makes it feel like a safe place to be open. . . . . . #witchesofinstagram #wicca #witchcraft #renaissancefestival #carolinarenaissancefestival #witchesofyoutube https://www.instagram.com/p/B3QNxdMH_SB/?igshid=1l6ec8cjxxkdl

New books! I’m especially excited about @phoenixlefae’s new book, because there’s surprisingly little conversation happening in popular spaces about actually developing relationships with gods, spirits, and ancestors. A lot of folks worry about “what pantheon do I use” and then never take things any farther. @phoenixlefae is a brilliant witch (she’s one of the voices in my own book!) and I know this will be so valuable. @amyblackthornauthor is another one to watch, and I’m pumped to hear what she has to say about a subject that so many dismiss as basic (and then neglect). I also want to see if she weighs in on the controversy surrounding white sage. @your.irish.connection’s book comes right on the heels of yesterday’s discussion on YouTube. I can’t wait to see what she had to contribute. Have you read any of these new titles yet? . . . . . #witchesofinstagram #witchcraft #wicca #wiccansofinstagram #witchbooks #babywitchbookclub #witchessocietyreads #witchessociety https://www.instagram.com/p/B2_vOyYHOsT/?igshid=1p4rv6wuv1g0r

I love Saturday mornings, because it’s the only time I have to sit at my desk and write uninterrupted. I use the time to reflect, journal, read those texts that require more focus and attention, and generally recharge. I often wish I could do this every day, and resent my day job for getting in the way. But in many ways, my day job protects my Craft practice and keeps it sacred. I’ve had moments where witchcraft has walked the line between being a calling and being a job, and I’ve discovered that I can’t thrive when it’s the latter. Some people are great at it, but I don’t have the personality for it! I’m about to post a video musing on the topic of witchcraft as a job, and I’d appreciate your thoughts! Does monetizing your Craft practice alter it? Do you trust Witch influencers who do promotional work? What role do paid clergy have (or not) in our traditions? Search Thorn Mooney on YouTube or follow the link in my profile later today! . . . . . #witchcraft #witch #witchesofinstagram #witchesofyoutube #wicca #traditionalwicca #witchessociety #witchbooks https://www.instagram.com/p/B29aq49nekN/?igshid=ndd56ngqvjd9