Any witches here?

[speakout]

Or Wiccans. or Pagans?

I was raised as a witch- my grandmother was born in 1890 and taught me how to scry, knotwork, many magical activities. She was a dresser of the dead and a lay midwife ( before the NHS).
I now practice my craft with enthusiasm.
A little tricky as my extended family are not supportive.

Giggorata hi, I am a solo hedgewitch too. I have been part of a coven, but I prefer to work alone. I am not Wiccan, although I do use archetypes in my work.

I'm not a witch, but definitely a bit psychic and dd too. We'd love to be witches though

I'm not, However my nan was
She was also very vocal about it being bad to take money for the craft (I don't mean selling supplies, I mean doing spells of fertility should be out of love for the new mother, not for ££) I'm not sure if that's a widespread belief or a "thing" though. She believed it was quite private and would often do spells to help others without even telling them. They seemed to work but she never said a word.
She refused to pass anything on to my mother, or me, scared to, I think. But I did see her do some amazing things.
We also had many interesting chats.

We are all witches!!!

I truly think that we all have the ability. Witches are all different in their skills, some good at divination or tarot, others great at moon work or potions and herbs. Simply everyday rituals can be performed by everyone. If you have psychic abilities and use them then you are a witch in my book.

Everyday acts of witchcraft bring magic to the mundane. Blowing out a birthday candle, or having a cup of peppermint tea to sooth the mind, bringing in fresh flowers to the home, prinkling some lavender oil, hanging a horseshoe on the wall, hanging up a christmas stocking for, even putting out laundry on a sunny day - this is a way of cleansing and capturing outdoor energy to bring indoors.
All can be viewed as magical activities.
Of course my work goes a lot further than that, but by incorporating these easy daily practices we develop a magical way of thinking.

Both DH and I used to be witches, now we're druids, much less bollocks.

ChickenOrEgg6 I don't judge others, but I am with your gran.
I don't cast spells for others for money.
In any case witchcraft is not exact, results don't always happen in the timescale you would like, and results can be manifest in surprising ways.
So it's not just about the money, it's about expectations.
I do cast for others, often without their knowledge though!! Like an exam success spell for my DD, or a binding spell to help a family member who was recently being bullied at work.

But yes, I sell supplies and kits in order for people to do their own witchcraft, I don't do it for them.

much less bollocks.

??

I've always felt drawn to paganism/witchcraft but have never really done anything about it. Speakout your grandmother sounds amazing, how great to be taught those things as a child! It really is/was a part of life for a long time and it's sad it's mostly lost now.

I was wondering if anyone has any book recommendations where I could learn more about the various practices? I have read about Wicca a little bit but beyond that I don't know. What's a hedgewitch?

Hi, at hedgewitch is a witch that works alone.

Other explanations are that a hedgewitch is one with traditional knowledge of herbs, berries for medicinal purposes, or that she spends life with " one foot either side of the hedge" or flying the hedge meaning that she trancends the veil between worlds.

Others may give book recommendations, but we each have our path to follow.
I think if you are eager for knowledge then books will find you. Try browsing second hand bookshops or car boot sales, and read what appeals to you.

Some who follow a Wiccan path swear by Scott Cunningham, I am not a huge fan, some have Feminist leanings, and Starhawk is insprational, but won't give much practical advice.
Follow your own heart.

DillyDillyDally I was just reading the thread and wanted to ask the same as you! I've always had an interest in Witchcraft but haven't a clue where to look to start learning. Any help would be gratefully received!

I think any advice on reading would be to read as much as you can.

There will be unlikely to be a book that you feel sits 100% with you, but you can often find some bits of information that you can take away from that book.
Personally I don't do the Satanic/Crowley/ summoning entities type of witchcraft, not these days the very heavy "Magik", although I have in the past.
Do what feels right for you.

I think a good place to start with witchcraft is to read about the moon phases and the correspondences. So that's things like colours, herbs, crystals and how they relate to planets. You can then start doing simple spells. You don't need to learn about the correspondences, there are plenty charts online.
There are also simple spells online, start with a basic one, a candle some salt, a few basic household items are enough to get you going.
Starting with something positive is nice, like a Family Happiness Spell, or a Home Blessing, then you can get the feel of how things work.

That's great advice, thank you!

Thanks! I'm living in the US and there isn't much in the way of second hand bookshops where I live but I can start on Amazon I suppose. I don't feel the same connection to nature here or the same "energy" (is the only way to describe it) as I do at home, it's a very different landscape but I'll start with reading about the moon phases.

DillyDillyDally I can understand that.
It's difficult when we don't feel "grounded".
But although we are different locations, we all see the same moon, the same sun, breathe the same air. Try to get out into a natural environment- wherever that may be, If you are near a river or woods or any natural space- even a park will help you feel connected.

I guess I fall into the hedgewitch category too - much of my practice is done over the "hedge".

Unlike speakout I do charge for my services if I act for someone - the old cunningfolk were well rewarded for their craft. Not necessarily with money but certainly by the odd chicken or pat of butter. I've worked hard to perfect my skills and I get paid for my abilities in the day job so I don't draw a distinction. Generally it's more of a barter than £££ though. I traded a house cleaning for lunch and a large bottle of kirsch soaked cherries the other day!

this thread is facinating.

Elphame- interested in how you charge.
Do you advertise your services?
I get requests from strangers on a very frequent basis- twice a week or so, but I am always cautious about spell casting for people I don't know and charging money for it.
I do favours for friends- and will often get some favour in return, but no money.

I am, in a way. But I have no spells, rituals or otherwise anymore. No one looking from the outside would have any idea. I have no items, no books, no nothing. But I will always have the mind. I love to see this thread here. It makes me feel a bit more at home.

DillyDillyDally You don't have flowers? Or candles? Or fragrance ?

How interesting. I am not witchy but I think you may be right about the magic being in us somewhere. I kind of feel like in how drawn I am to nature and how strongly the seasons affect me. Off to Google the cunning folk.

RaininSummer I think everyone is capable of magic. It is in us all. My work helps people along their magical path.

@speakout. No I don't advertise but I'm quite well known in the local pagan/witchy circles (!) so if someone wants something done then they get referred to me via a friend of a friend. I have somehow gained a reputation of actually being effective!

I also know a lot of people far more skilled than I am who I can call on if I need to ( and I do!)

That sounds amazing Elphame.