This is new to me, blogging..but I came here, because being who I am, I can’t really be me, anywhere else, online.
There is a stigma, when someone hears the words “witch” or “witchcraft”...It is sometimes laughed off, or ignorant and hurtful comments can be made. Some even think that you have mental health issues, if you tell them that you’re a Witch. I wish it was different...I wish people didn’t assume the worst about people like me. I am not evil, or wicked...but I am different, and perhaps a little strange. I’m also caring, loving, kind, generous, compassionate, funny, helpful, intelligent, and some say, wise.
I grew up in a large family, who believed that we should not expose ourselves, publicly, for fear of ridicule, condemnation, or even persecution and only a chosen few would be told. Some of my family actually chose not to practice, because they didn’t want to be associated with the stigmas, but the rest of us didn’t really want to lose our history, so we continued on our family path.
To be clear, we do not follow, and have never followed the religion, Wicca. We have nothing against the religion, or the people that practice Wicca...it’s just not our way of life. Our traditions are much older, passed down from generation, to generation (usually from mother to daughter), on my mother’s maternal side...However, sons were taught as well, if interested. My brothers were never interested, really, other than in gardening and knowing nature, and I think that if one of my brothers, actually had decided to practice...it wouldn’t be good...for anyone.
Daughters would start learning very young, with the teachings of herbs, flowers, gardening, etc...and at the age of 13, in my family lineage, there would be a Celebration of Maturity - the beginning of womanhood. For me...I loved that day..it was special, and brought me closer to the feminine side of my family! My mother was very skilled, in many different ways, and an excellent teacher...I learned so much from her! She was a healer, clairvoyant, and excellent in almost every form of casting, but her preferences were tea reading, facial reading (after she became blind), and herbal magic...She passed away in 2006, and I inherited all of her “Craft” belongings, because I was the only one in my family, that chose to pay close attention to her teachings,...even though I am not the only one to follow the family path, or to practice.
. My Great-Grandmother was called a “Wise Woman”, and in her time, she had to hide her tools of the “Craft” because of persecution, and to this day, Witch Hunts have never truly ended...It is still illegal to be a Witch, in many countries...and in some, the sentence is death. My Great-Grandmother was afraid of being arrested, but she still practiced, until her dying day, in solitude, and secrecy...in the kitchen.
It was the worst kept secret, in her little town, that she was a witch. Quite a few people actually knew who she was, and would come to her, for help of all sorts; to heal a broken heart, to end a cold, bring prosperity to a farm, etc..to even revenge against someone. She never charged for anything, but in thanks, people would bring her food, things they had made for her, flowers, or “sweet treats”, which I always assumed were baked goods, or chocolates, but I never asked. I guess it doesn’t really matter, anymore, but that work ethic, of never charging anyone anything, and always being there for someone in need, certainly didn’t start with her, but it definitely won’t end with me, or my generation.
A couple of my siblings, had been teaching their children, our ways, and I’m currently teaching my children, so they can carry on our family legacy. In this day and age though, it’s a little more difficult to teach. Kids these days, want to fit in and be accepted, but don’t want to be ostracized from their peers, and they don’t see it as “cool” to practice the Old ways..They’re more interested in technology...
In my little family, only my youngest is actually interested in really learning. They are wise beyond their years, and very intuitive! Always seems to know what people will say or do, before those people do or say, what they want. It’s amazing to see that they are like a Chess Master..steps ahead of others! So eager to master “Kitchen Witchery’, too, through cooking and baking! I’ve a very proud Mama Witch!
I knew my youngest would be interested in the “Craft”, but I actually expected my oldest child to be more interested, than they are, since they are a Sensitive, like me. When my oldest was little, and I’m sure still today, they used to see and be able to communicate with the dead...The famous words, “I see dead people!”, wasn’t just in the movie “The Sixth Sense”, but came out of my child’s mouth, when they were 7 years old. We would go places, and they could tell me who died where, how they died, and would walk up to people and tell them that someone they knew (who had passed away) wanted to let them know...well, whatever it was, that they wanted to say! My oldest child is a quiet person, who really doesn’t like crowds, or public speaking, and they wouldn’t go in to different places, if they didn’t “feel good” about it..For now, my oldest can be who they are, and it’s ok with me...and if they choose to learn in the future,...I’ll be here for them.
I wasn’t really sure about my middle child, whether they would want to learn or not, and right now, they’ve shown no interest, whatsoever, other than in herbs. When my older children were little, my middle child instinctively knew what herbs went with what spell,or what they were meant for, but wouldn’t want to participate in learning how to pick, dry or prepare any herb, or how to actually do any spells. They knew how to find different stones, flowers, etc..and why they were important, and always has been environmentally sensitive...but again...any mention of trying to teach anything on usage or about Spell Casting, and they would tune me out...Currently they have a significant other, that actually practices Wicca (which is fine),..but even then, my child tunes their partner out, if they start talking about Witchcraft, or Spell Work....Uggh...I wish they would open up, but until then, I accept and will respect their wishes...and it’s ok if they choose to never practice...It’s their life, not mine...I just hope that they let me teach any Grandchildren!
In any case, I love my family, and my children, and magic is in our blood...and has been for a very, very long time. I’m no expert on Witchcraft, but I have been living it, my whole life, continuously learning each day, because knowledge is power, and there is no end to knowledge! With me, you get what you see, and you can take me as I am, or not, and that’s ok too!
Wow, is this ever a long note!..Sorry to whomever is reading this! I’m sure it’s full of grammatical errors, run on sentences, etc...I just thought I’d write whatever was on my mind. My family make me who I am, and now you know a little about them, to get to know me! I’m sure in time, you’ll get to know me better, and let me possibly help to break down the assumptions and stigmas that people have, about witches, and Witchcraft!
Take care and have a wonderful week!!
