Dear Reader,
Hello! How is everyone doing after the biggest food fest of the year? I am still reeling from all that pumpkin pie, but I enjoyed every bit of it. Having an extra day off, I have been reading interesting, and some not so interesting, articles online.
I noticed that this current generation has taken the craft under their wings. From short online spells on TikTok to Instagram virtual Tarot readings, we find ourselves inundated by the idea that the craft of old has been given an overhaul.
Although there are many spells online, or articles about the “modern witch,” that does not necessarily prove it is the Witchcraft of the 21st century.
Witchcraft, as you know, is an old practice. If anyone does any research in their preferred research mode (online or book), they will find that the Great Goddess and her spiritual, earth-based practice has been “worshiped as far into the past as the Upper Paleolithic Age of about 25,000 BC” (Stone 1976 p xii).
It was a belief that was practiced by many, and unfortunately squashed by the advocates of new religions, which held male deities as supreme. This is just a bit of context into how old the religion of Witchcraft actually is.
Yes, it has developed, but the change came from a need to hide it, not to make it “better.” For many centuries it had to be practiced in silence, behind closed doors and curtains. But then came the modern age, with the renaissance of Witchcraft in the 1950s. That is when the name changed to “Wicca” and what started the ball rolling on openly practicing in the 1960s and 1970s. Although it has not been an easy journey, it has been a journey of rediscovering the oldest belief for humans.
Why am I filling your head with these facts, you may wonder? It is to give context to what is happening in these new and modern times.
I can easily see the allure that Witchcraft might have for the new generation. They are growing up in a world that demands perfection. They are constantly bombarded by images of “influencers” who became millionaires at 19. They are told they need to look perfect, be rich, and have their lives sorted out before they marry.
It is no wonder they turn to Magic with such alacrity. They might treat the Craft like a “get rich quick” button or a beauty filter for their reality. They want the aesthetic of the Witch: the power, the control, the mystery.
But I have to add, there are also those who use it to help heal depression, stress, or anxiety. These are valid reasons to look into spirituality as a way to heal.
However, the internet, with its wealth of information, also brings the expectation of instant gratification. It brings a fake glamour that implies everything is possible with a candle spell and a nice smelling oil. The hard truth about the practice of Witchcraft is that it necessitates work. And to do the work, it needs shadow work, to question why you think the oldest path is one you want to walk.
Are you a seeker for inner truth? Do you want to truly learn the way, heal yourself, and learn the old pathways to wisdom? Yeah? Then you have to understand that it takes time, practice, and more practice.
Witchcraft is not “something” to simply play with to see if it “works.” It is a belief, deeply rooted in history. To work within its hallowed halls, we need to know if it’s worth the journey.
When you become a practitioner, you understand that it is not about waiting for that perfect window between planets and Moon phases. Your altar might not be color-coordinated like the ones posted online. You do not have to wear flowing dresses (unless you want to) or perform complex rituals.
No. Magic happens as life happens.
Oh! Did you need money ASAP? And wait! Is it the waning of the Moon and a Tuesday to boot? So what? Yeah, you read that right. So. What?
Magic is bending energies that exist all around us. We are made of universal energy; therefore, we are surrounded by it. You create spell work that asks for all blocks to your financial health be removed, to bring calm to anxiety, to bring clarity. You burn a red candle for power (Tuesday) and courage (the courage to believe that you will be ok).
Your altar might not be a shiny, coordinated piece of art, but it is a place of power.
You don’t have a red candle? Then use a white one. Write the petition with a red pen. And wait! No oil? You really need an oil to synchronize better? Then use olive oil (blessings) and corn oil (money).
Most importantly, meditate. Take at least 10 minutes to sit in silence. Quiet the mind. Do not add more to it. Breathe in the moment. Be as one with your spell work; after all, it is an extension of yourself. Take a relaxing shower or bath. Read a book (not your tablet, not an Instagram post), a real book, even if it’s boring and it puts you to sleep. That is the point: to get outside your head and just trust the universe.
Of course, it would be remiss of me to say that it will take care of itself. If you need money, then you keep working. You might get ideas of selling something online to make extra money. You keep doing something in the actual world, and let the magic do its thing.
Magic is messy. There is no perfect time, no perfect setup.
Yes, there might be times that you will be able to conduct magic on the correct Lunar and/or planetary phases. You might clean up your altar and your room. Wear that lovely flowing dress you just know is perfect for moments like that. But when you can’t? You go with the flow.
Real magic involves dirt. It involves sitting in silence when you’d rather be scrolling. It involves failure. And getting up again and trying, until you realize: it is not about rushing magic. It is about trusting that it will work. It will happen.
I used to be somewhat impatient in my beginning years. One time, a long time ago, I wrote a petition with some pictures I cut from magazines. It was not deep; it was just for fun. I placed it on a small dish with rice and cinnamon. Knowing my somewhat impatient nature and taking the adage of “don’t think about the spell, let it happen” to heart, I promptly forgot about it. Because life, you know?
Months went by, then one day, I was cleaning my altar, saw the small dish in a corner, and opened up the petition. I had to laugh. Yes, it had become a reality. But I was so busy living my life, I got out of my own way and the energies manifested, although not exactly in the way I expected.
The petition was that I wanted new clothing, for the universe to “gift” me with the means to obtain it. Note I said “want,” not “need” and I did write “gift” (the universe does have a sense of humor).
As it happened, a cousin of mine had bought a bunch of new clothing that very quickly did not fit her, because she was always on a new diet or other. She gifted me almost the entire closet! Things she never wore, and I was the lucky receiver of such bounty. That taught me that words carry power, and patience is gold. 🌻
So, take a breath. Put down the phone. It’s okay if your altar is messy. It’s okay if you don’t know everything yet. The “magic” is not in the candle, but in the intent, and the belief.
Until I write again,
M
Recommended Reading: When God Was a Woman by Merlin Stone.
. This is one of the most magical of signs (I know I mentioned this before in another post). The very characteristics that many astrologers put down as “weak” are the ones that make this Astro sign have the powerful ability to draw and manifest anything related to magickal work.
Witch's Gazette 