I'm a witch. AMA

[Fireproof]

Practising witch here, happy to do some mythbusting.

[clairethewitch70]

I was considering starting one of these threads!

What path do you follow How long have you been practising the Craft?

[FusionChefGeoff]

Oh brilliant I was lurking on a witch thread and it was amazing.

How did you know you were a witch or is it something you can choose to do / be and just learn like a language?

[Fireproof]

@clairethewitch70 Haha, hi there!
I'm a solitary hedge witch and don't follow a particular path like Wicca, so it's a mix of different spiritual practices and folk magick that I'm drawn to- elements of Wicca, shamanism, hoodoo, Satanism, Santeria, Chaos magick. Yourself?

I've been a witch probably since I was 9 or 10. I've always had a feeling of comfort and connection in nature as well as an interest in the supernatural. I was lucky to have grown up in a rural environment with access to woods, meadows and rolling hills, so began practicing magick then.

[Fireproof]

@FusionChefGeoff It's something I've always felt I was, but plenty of people make a conscious choice to become one. There are some strands of witchcraft like Wicca which are more formal, whereas others like me practice in the ways that feel 'right' to us. I wasn't raised as a witch but I know there are a lot of people out there who are 2nd or 3rd generation witches, which must be an amazing heritage to have.

[blackbirdbluebottle]

Do you have a cauldron?

[FusionChefGeoff]

Have you got any witches in your family? How did you start to learn?

[Wiggler1]

Are there any books you could recommend for learning more about the types of witchcraft?

[Fireproof]

@blackbirdbluebottle I do indeed. It's very small (about mug sized) and sits on my altar- I mainly use it for burning spell ingredients in. I'm getting a big one soon to use over an open fire.

@FusionChefGeoff No, i'm the first. I have children so if they choose to follow in my footsteps I will be happy to teach them.

@Wiggler1 generally books on witchcraft tend to focus one one type, like Wicca or hoodoo. If you look online you can find out the general stuff on each of these and then find books that have more specific detail.

[blackbirdbluebottle]

Do your spells actually work?

[clairethewitch70]

I practice witchcraft with a group (not specifically a coven). Affinity with Wicca- celebrate the Sabbats etc, but also a kitchen witch/hedge witch.

[Fireproof]

@Wiggler1 Sorry pressed post too soon!

This one is an interesting take on Dianic wiccan (basically feminist wicca):
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/157863413X/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?psc=1&ie=UTF8&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[Fireproof]

@blackbirdbluebottle some have, some haven't, some have worked in ways I hadn't fully intended.

[Slaymill]

Do you make up potions for family & friends ?

[blackbirdbluebottle]

What spells worked?

[Fireproof]

@Slaymill yep, I have. But I wouldn't do it for serious illness- that's what medicine is for! But for simple ailments, like insomnia or a stomach ache I can brew stuff that works.

@blackbirdbluebottle I've had a lot of success with protection charms, fertility spells and also one to find love.

[Fireproof]

@clairethewitch70 can you tell me about your group practise? I’ve never done it!

[clairethewitch70]

Basically a group of Pagans, Witches etc who meet monthly, celebrate Sabbats together, hold/attend workshops together and have a monthly visiting speaker, the next being on Chaos Magick.

[Fireproof]

@clairethewitch70 that sounds awesome! I don’t know any other witches so am a bit envious :)

[glitterbiscuits]

I don't believe in witches, magic or anything remotely connected.
Can you give me anything to 'prove' witches are real?

[headinhands]

Do you actually believe there's anything supernatural going on or do you feel it's just making use of meditation and non-woo psychology?

[Donotbequotingmeinbold]

Very funny. Of course you are.

[TakeABreak2]

im a born again christian - do you not think you are just entertaining satan and he has a hold on you?

[unintentionalthreadkiller]

Is it something you are open about with new people you meet or do you feel you have to hide it?

[JustAnotherPoster00]

How much is broomstick maintenance and do they require an MOT?

[Fireproof]

@glitterbiscuits Only proof I can give you is that I am typing this right now. Paganism is my religious practise and I describe myself as a witch. Same way that someone who practises Islam would call themselves a Muslim.

@headinhands That’s a great question, so thanks for asking it! I can only speak for my own personal beliefs but for me a lot of it is wrapped up in meditation, and psychology. “Irrational” practises such as performing rituals, spells, dancing, singing or praying can get a person’s head in the right place where what they will can become more possible. For example, a few years ago I had to go through what was an incredibly harrowing emotional ordeal, so I performed a ritual to give me the power and strength to get through it, and it worked. So doing something irrational gave me what I needed internally. Does that make sense? Can elaborate later but about to go on the school run!

Just wanted to also quickly clarify that I don’t believe that anyone can contact the dead and people that claim they are able to do so for are frauds who are preying on the grief-stricken.