Welcome to my cottage!
I'm Kenzie, I am a cottage witch practitioner and I have created this blog for the purpose of sharing my knowledge with you all. I am open to questions and discussions so that everyone can work together to learn and grow.
Follow me on Instagram @kenziemeadows_cottage
I am a solitary cottage witch who loves everything witchy, nature based, and finding the magick in the mundane.
I am from the Southern Hemisphere in Australia!
As a cottage witch I study and practice the paths:
- Green witchcraft
- Kitchen witchcraft
- Hearth witchcraft
As I’m very eclectic, this also includes:
- Using crystals
- Astrology
- Following the moon cycles
- Glamour magick
- Energy work
- Divination
- Apothecary work
- Sea magick
- Deity worship
and so much more! 🦋
I follow the lunar cycles of the New Moon and the Sabbats for my year. I find that working with the Moon and with the Sabbats have worked wonders for my practice! 🔮
My purpose is to spread my knowledge in this path to those who need guidance and are just as eclectic as me! 🌸
Join me in learning how the magick in the mundane can be healing and powerful in your practice. ✨
Feel free to use the Ask Me Anything for tarot card interpretations (not readings), astrology questions (not readings), or just some advice on low effort witchcraft.
I will be opening services sometime in the future.
How are you feeling? Energised, motivated, courageous? Or, are you feeling hazy, unclear, and with brain fog?
Solar eclipses bring not only a powerful energy to the collective, it can also cause a lot of haziness.
Because of it's intensity, it can be quite difficult to focus at this time. Be kind to yourself if you are finding yourself unclear on your New Moon intentions, and goals for the next year! Not everyone likes working on their intentions during a solar eclipse.
If you are wanting to be able to get clear on your intentions and push through the haziness of the solar eclipse, here are some rituals you can do!
Tarot and Oracle!
You could do a 12 cycle spread! This can guide you in the right direction to where you need to become clear on your intention!
Remember to journal your reading!
Crafting Magick!
A great way to bring your intentions to life is by dedicating space for creating this New Moon cycle! Whatever you create will help inspire you throughout the lunar cycle!
Crystal Magick!
Using crystals that are relevant to the current energy and your intentions is a powerful way to manifest your dreams into reality!
If you would like some low spoons rituals than check out my previous post!
New Moon in Aries: self-care and low spoons edition!
As this New Moon is also a Solar Eclipse, it can be a time of haziness and feeling overwhelmed by the energy.
This is completely okay!
A lot of people don't like to work with this energy due to these feelings, and focus on self-care!
As someone with chronic pain, performing these rituals are just as powerful as the days that I perform elaborate rituals!
Here are some low spoons and every day rituals based on resting and recharging I recommend during this time:
First off, what does resting and recharging even mean? 🔮
It's allowing yourself to have the space to give yourself self-care. You can do this in so many ways and quite easily add them into your routines and rituals.
Ways that you can do this with the New Moon in Aries is:
Spending time in Nature
This is a great way to allow yourself to feel grounded with your intentions with this solar eclipse energy!
Journaling
This is such a mindful way to connect with yourself during this time! It will help you become clearer in your future rituals!
Creating a vision board
Aries is all about creating! Bring your intentions into reality through your creative works!
Listening to your intuition
Your intuition is a powerful tool to understand what you need at this time!
Dreaming your manifestations!
Aries is all about putting your dreams into action! Get clear on what your intentions are and dream!
This upcoming New Moon in Aries symbolises a time of new beginnings and manifesting your desires into reality through confident action!
This brings a time to take action! We've been given the time to rest, reflect, and dream throughout the New Moon in Pisces but, that time is coming to an end!
The dreams that you envisioned throughout the previous New Moon is now going to help drive you getting clear on your vision, and on the actions you need to prioritise to manifest your desires!
Before you start to create your 12 month action plan, it is time to get clear on our intentions!
Aries is known for its "action first, thoughts later" impulsive behaviour. If you allow these shadow aspects of Aries energy to ram into your plan, you may find that you feel burnt out and unclear in the future.
This New Moon's energy is here to support you getting clear on your intentions and 12 month goal!
What I like to do is get down to the root cause of my intentions.
What is the core that all of my dreams are rooted to?
By becoming clear on the root of my intention I am able to keep this intention with me throughout the whole year, allowing me to remember the why to my dreams.
From here, I am then able to focus on what I need, desire, and want from the next 12 months of my life, and bring my intention into my daily life.
During the month of this New Moon in Aries, focus on self-care and your daily rituals. By giving yourself the space to care for yourself in this way, you allow yourself to be mindful to not over plan and have space for spontaneity.
My next New Moon post will be about how you can bring these elements into your cottage witch path!
What an absolutely powerful day to show up for yourself! Not only is today the start of the Astrological year, it is also Venus's day! Shower yourself in self-care and self-love, allow yourself to be cleansed of the past years energy so that you can be renewed! 🌸
Allow Aries energy to flow within and around you, tapping into this abundance of energy. How can you channel Aries energy into your everyday life? 🌱
Look into where Aries is in your chart to understand where you will most benefit from this energy! Even if you don't have Aries in your chart, you are able to channel Aries energy into your actions and intentions! 🔥
Some low spoons rituals I like to perform for the Sun entering Aries is:
Making an intentional chilli cacao or hot chocolate to bring in that fiery energy!
Using yoga to energise my body through purposeful movement! Aries is all about movement and releasing it's abundant energy! Allow vinyasa to help release excess energy so that you can rest your body and mind during this time.
Journaling about the past year and where you want to direct your energy for the next year!
How a cottage witch uses the Sun's Aries energy in a daily practice!
With the Sun entering 0° in Aries late afternoon (5:02pm AWST) on the day of the Autumn Equinox, I plan to celebrate the Sun's new yearly cycle on the Friday as it'll still be at 0°.
Aries energy is passionate, creative, impulsive, and driven! 🔥 It can be easy to get swept up with performing one big ritual to welcome the energy but, end up being too burnt out to do anything else throughout the Sun's cycle in Aries. ❤️🔥
By utilising Aries energy throughout its whole season will allow you to become intentional and mindful of how you use Aries to drive your manifestations. 🌸
By using this energy throughout the entire Aries season in your daily life / routines / practices and rituals you'll be able to hold out on burning yourself out by being too impulsive and planning too much.
Allow Aries to guide you to your new beginning, allow yourself the space to believe and dream! Now is the time where Aries will push you forward to creating your manifestations for the year ahead! 🔮
Some cottage witch practices that align with Aries energy are:
Exercise! 🍁
It doesn't have to be an elaborate exercise routine, even just a daily walk to a nearby park will bring Aries energy into your practice!
Creating! 🌸
From crafting to baking, Aries loves to be creative! Utilise this creative energy by being creative and creating something that will inspire you throughout the season!
Dream! 🔮
Aries season gives us a fresh start! Use this energy to dream and plan driven action to create your dreams into reality! Start small, make a small monthly goal for each month that brings your dream into reality!
Today we welcome a day of energetic balance! 🌞🌛
The Sun and Moon equally share the sky today, welcoming a time of calm. Unlike the Spring Equinox, this brings a time that foreshadows the darker days ahead. ❄️
Utilise today's energy by celebrating your achievements and abundance, and by recognising the lessons you've learned and how you've grown in the past year. ✨
Nobody is always living authentically, never messing up, or never showing their shadows. It's okay to make mistakes!
Use today's energy to welcome an open heart and mind, be mindful of how your shadows presented themselves this year, and how can you grow from these experiences? 🌱
Celebrate this Equinox by watching the sunset in the sign of Aries and give thanks for the past year, performing your ritual of reflection and manifestation, and start to work on preparations for the darker days that are coming. 🔮
As today is also a day that we welcome the Sun entering Aries, use this boost in energy to propel you into your manifestations at sunset! 🔥
Cottage Witch Path : ways to celebrate the Autumn Equinox 🍁
Tomorrow is the Autumn Equinox! Traditionally, this would be a day of celebrating the years abundance, followed by preparing for Winter.
People would set aside a small portion of their abundance from Lughnasadh and feast with loved ones to share their happiness and achievements. 💫
Preparing for Winter included canning and preserving fruits and vegetables, making tonics and brews, drying herbs, creating herbal remedies, and crafting blankets and candles for the darker days.
This is a time of balance ; endings and renewal! 🔮
We are saying goodbye to the previous year, thanking it for its abundance and the lessons you've learned.
We are also welcoming the energy and creative drive that's needed to prepare ourselves for Winter's time of transformation! ❄️
Autumn is not only a time of preparing for the next cycle, it is also a time of self-care! Self-care is its own magick full of rituals and spell work that you can practice at anytime! 🌸
Making your own apothecary items is an amazing way to bring in your ritual and spell work into your self-care!
Low spoon practices to celebrate the Autumn Equinox:
Journaling! 🔮
I know I say it a lot but, this is such a simple way to connect with yourself and the sabbath! Direct the equinox's energy into your shadow work and intentions for Winter and the upcoming year!
Vinyasa yoga 🌸
This yoga style is a great way to bring balance and flow, and a feeling of being centred and grounded in your daily routines. Allow yourself the space to let your mind wander during this time, the energy is calling for reflection for rebirth!
Make a delicious treat! 🍯
Using kitchen magick is a big part of the cottage witch's path! By cooking a delicious treat for yourself on the day of the Equinox is a great way to celebrate your abundance, especially if you share it with friends and loved ones!
I'm planning to make my partner and I caramelised apples for our morning oats!
What a powerfully energetic time for us in the Southern Hemisphere! We welcome the Equinox on Thursday the 20th of March ('25) this year!
The Autumn Equinox is a time of celebrating the previous year's abundance and preparing for Winter's time of rest and renewal.
Not only is it the Autumn Equinox, at 5:02pm AWST the Sun will enter 0° Aries, which will bring a time of new beginnings and a passionate drive to create!
This is the perfect time for transformations and renewal with the balance of endings and beginnings!
One way that I plan to practice my cottage witch path is by spending the morning reflecting and celebrating my abundance and achievements, and spend the afternoon preparing for getting clear on my intentions for the year ahead!
I plan to celebrate the Sun's solar return in Aries on the Friday so that I can rise with the energy and prepare for the Suns yearly cycle!
If you would like information on how you can celebrate the Solar Return in Aries check out my previous posts!
As we get closer to entering the Autumn Equinox I will be posting information on ways you can celebrate this sabbath!
The Sun will once again return to Aries on Friday the 21st of March, marking the beginning of the new Sun cycles Astrological year ahead! 🌞
Aries season occurs close to the Autumn Equinox for us in the Southern Hemisphere, a powerful time for the collective to put their focus towards their goals and aspirations! 🍁
This season is a time for self-reflection, building self-confidence, and putting in the foundations for the dreams you strive to achieve this year ahead.
But beware, this is also a time for Aries shadow side to ram into our lives. Look out for making too many commitments, being impulsive, acting first without thinking things through, and choices being made through fear! 🔮
Fear is what drives Aries forward in life! Even with fear looming over, an Aries person is able to look their fear in the eyes, recognise and reflect on why fear is holding them back, and still have the courage to try! ✨
Don't allow your fear to hold you back from creating your dreams! Be kind to your fear, learn from it, and allow its teachings to propel you into your success!
This season brings a time of initiation and an opportunity to start fresh. Allow Aries energy to help guide you where you want to be in life! 🔥
One ritual that I love is rising for the Sunrise and welcoming the Aries energy with gratitude and celebration! 🌞
This small ritual allows me the space to be present and give thanks for the previous year, and giving me the boost in energy to prepare myself for the next year! 💫
Astrology Cycles for the Cottage Witch : Aries - The Astrological New Year!
The Astrological cycles of the Sun, Moon and Planets is important for the cottage witch path. Part of this path is to be aware of the natural cycles of your environment to some extent. Personally, I enjoy following the cycles of the Sun and Moon the most as it helps me feel in the present, and like I’m able to organise myself with the energy in mind.
I also enjoy tracking these cycles as it gives me insight into the collective energy and what shadows to be mindful of coming up.
The Sun and New Moon in Aries is the beginning of the Astrological New Year! In the Southern Hemisphere this is around the time of the Autumn Equinox. This is the perfect time to evaluate the previous year, get clear on this year’s intentions and manifestations, and focus on the why you want these to come to fruition! If you were to try and control the whole plan and not allow space for new ideas then you’re constricting your creative potential! Allow yourself the space for impulsivity and for inspiration to take hold.
At 5:07am this morning the sun rose for its longest day of the year!
This is a time of abundance and celebration! It was traditionally celebrated by staying up all Midsummer’s Eve to welcome the day ahead. They would light bonfires, feast, dance, and even nap throughout the day and evening!
As I live in Australia we’ve had fire bans for the past 2 months as it’s been very dry, and our country is very hot and windy so fires spread easily and we’re prone to them. 🔥
Because of this, I celebrated with my cauldron and burning some dried citrus and other herbs and resin to be my bonfire ritual! 🥰
After journalling about my celebration, I ate some food and then laid down for a nap! Now, I feel even more energised and ready for the day! ✨
I love crafting magick! ✨
It is such a fun way to connect to spirit and a simple activity that can be a useful mindfulness tool that can help you connect to your guides!
Crafting magick is mostly intention magick, as you can set an intention to every project that you pick up! 🔮
Some ways that you can practice this is by:
Setting intentions into your yarn work!
It is super easy to set intentions into yarn work! 🧶
Are you making a scarf for yourself or someone you care about? Envision your energy is warm, loving, and nurturing!
What this does is it infuses your energy and love into the piece so that when they use the item, they feel loved and full of warmth!
Cross Stitch!
Do you like slower paced craft?
Cross stitch is just for you! It is a slow craft but it is so satisfying to watch your creation come to fruition! 🌸
An easy way to perform magick through this craft is through meditating as cross stitch is counting a certain amount of stitches in a pattern, and then back tracking. This makes it easier to be able to get into a meditative state while backtracking as you can let yourself “zone out”. 🔮
You can also create your own patterns through some websites!
Before I begin to meditate, I will always ground and protect myself! This is such an important step in every practice, and I have a blog post in the making about why!
While I am cross stitching I like to be present in the current moment, and put on a calm playlist to listen to. 🌱
By being present and focused on making each stitch with intention and mindfulness, I am able to receive guiding or reflection prompts and channelled messages from my guides.
You can also use cross stitch for manifestation!
Simply choose a pattern that resonates with your intentions, and while you are cross stitching envision that you are bringing your manifestations to fruition!
Trying something new!
Trying new crafts is always a fun adventure for me as I love to experiment and create!
Developing a new skill takes time and dedication, and it is always important to remember that you will not be perfect first try! ✨
What matters is that you have fun while you're being experimental with your current skill set!
A great way to make experimenting a more magickal practice is by being creative and in-tune with your intuition!
You're intuition will guide you in the right direction of where you should start to learn a new craft, and opportunities will arise to allow you to achieve these goals!
One tip I always recommend is to do a little bit of research before you start, but try not to get too caught up in researching! The best way to learn is by doing! 🌱
Learning a craft is a very mindful practice as you will be focused on every step along the way!
I would love to hear about some of the ways that you are able to bring your magickal practice into your craft!
Welcome to Virgo season! 🌱🌸
Not only is the Sun in Virgo, we are also entering the New Moon in Virgo!
The energy of this New Moon brings a powerful time to set your intentions due to the grounding energy that Virgo provides. ✨
The New Moon is a time to become clear on your intentions and reflect.
Virgo is Earth's mutable sign, this means that there is a flexibility to the flow of energy which allows change and transformation to occur within a blink of an eye!
Virgo is known as the Maiden, as well as a healer. Traditionally referred to as the Virgin Goddess, this means that she is complete within herself with no need for an outside source of love or validation. 💕
Recognise the power of loving yourself wholeheartedly, reflect on where you may need to bring more self-love practices into your life. Through practicing self-love your intentions and manifestations will become stronger as they're coming from a place of love, not fear. 🦋
If you need some guidance on some reflection topics with this New Moon, look into Virgo's shadow side. This will give insight on some areas in your life that may need some help during this lunar cycle.
Some shadow sides of Virgo are:
🌸 Over-critical of your work and self, being "nit-picky".
🌸 Perfectionism.
🌸 Unrealistic expectations.
It is easy to get caught up in all the tiny details of your plans, and wanting to strive for perfection!
As someone with strong Virgo placements, I am no stranger to wanting to over-achieve. I will set myself up with a goal and then be so focused on the details of the how that I forget to do!
It is important to ensure that you are clear on your intentions and what you're wanting to manifest, and just as important to not get lost in the details! 🔮
Having a clear outline of your vision is important as it gives you a path to follow, just try to not over-analyse each and every dot point that needs to be crossed off to achieve your goal.
Virgo's energy is reminding us to be grounded in our goals and how we want to achieve them, allow yourself to be fluid and change your game plan when necessary! ✨
The New Moon reminds us to allow space within our intentions to allow them to grow!
If you want to create powerful intentions and manifestations this month, reflect on how this past month has gone by with your New Moon in Leo intentions. 🔮
🌱 Where have you had strengths and weaknesses?
🌱 What are you proud of yourself for achieving?
🌱 Are there any changes you want to make?
🌱 What do you want to bring into the new astrological month with the New Moon in Virgo?
How will this moon phase change your goals and intentions, and how can you allow this Virgo energy to help you in achieving your goals within this lunar cycle? 🦋
This upcoming Full Moon is going to be a powerful one! ✨
Not only is the Moon in the sign Aquarius, it is also a Blue Moon! This is when there is a second Full Moon within the same month as the previous Full Moon.
It's an amplified energy compared to usual Full Moon, so utilise this energy to activate your manifestations into reality! 🦋
How do you do this?
Let's break down the energy of this Full Moon!
How does the Full Moon impact our lives?
The Full Moon is the middle phase of the Moons cycle, which brings an opportunity for both our light and shadow selves to shine through, and highlighting our strengths and weaknesses. 🌕
It is important to remember that the Moons phases can show us how light and shadow are intertwined in the cycles of the moon, and within the cycles of our lives.
This Moon phase brings a time for letting go, gratitude, seeing results from your actions, and forgiveness.
Even if you feel like you haven't achieved much, that is still progress towards your goals! ✨
At this moment, our personal shadows can help us gain a deeper level of understanding and clarity when it comes to our goals.
Ask yourself:
🔮 How do you feel about your New Moon intentions?
🔮 How do you feel about your dreams?
Consider your actions throughout the past couple of weeks, look at what you have created and how your New Moon intentions have been manifesting into reality. ✨
Have these past two weeks been going smoothly or have there been setbacks that you've had to overcome to achieve what you have created?
The Full Moon is a time to let go of your fears and limiting beliefs. If something hasn't been working out for you these past few weeks, use this Moons energy to assist you in releasing what has been holding you back! 🦋
Forgive yourself if you didn't achieve all that you set out to do.
When you forgive, you are releasing energy that has been holding you back, which allows you to leave the situation.
This will clear your mind and open you to being aligned on your path.
The clearer you become now during the Full Moon, the better you will be able to sow next New Moons intentions and manifestations. 🌱
What does the Moon being in Aquarius mean?
This Moon is in the sign of Aquarius. This means that when the Moon reaches 100% illumination, it will be in the constellation of Aquarius! ♒️
With Aquarian energy, we can expect to feel extra spontaneous in our lives, our ideas, and with what we want to achieve.
This can mean that we are so excited to achieve our goals that we don't see far enough ahead to see the potential consequences of our actions, or we get so lost in the big picture we don't know how to start.
Firstly, slow down. 🌸
Aquarius' energy is always changing and very active, and it's shadow energy is impulsive and spontaneous.
After reflecting on the past two weeks and on your goals, look at where some necessary changes can be made.
Try to limit yourself to smaller goals at this time and being consistently active on achieving them! ✨
This will be more beneficial in the long run as you were intentional with your changes and acted on them to completion.
When is the Full Moon?
For us in Perth, Western Australia, the Moon will reach it's peak at 2:26am on Tuesday the 20th of August.
If you are unable to celebrate it at this time, don't stress! The phases of the Moon can be celebrated within a 72 hour period, the day before, the day of, and the day after!
Don't forget to celebrate your achievements during this time! Be proud of all that you have achieved, even if all you managed to do was take a baby step towards your goals! 💕
The Full Moon can be quite draining so be gentle with yourself these next few days, and make space for self-care! 🌕
Achieving your New Moon goals happens with consistent action, even if that is baby steps!
If you are wanting some inspiration on how to release your energy with the Full Moon, check out my previous post!
This is one of my favourite things to do during a full moon, and it’s low spoons! This simple ritual is an amazing way to connect with yours
Tomorrow is the First Quarter Moon, which is a powerful time when it comes to your New Moon intentions and manifestations! ✨
It is time to take action and to fully commit to yourself, your goals, as well as the manifestations and intentions that you had placed during the New Moon.
Use this Moon phases energy to make a start on your goals and remember it's about making progress, not perfection! 🌗
This is also the time to re-evaluate your intentions from the previous New Moon.
Feel your intentions, visualise them, and centre yourself during this time. Doubts can arise with this phase, so ask yourself:
Is there anything that you feel like isn't necessarily supportive in achieving your goals?
Anything that feels like it no longer resonates?
Let it go, as this no longer serves your purpose! 🦋
Don't forget you are only human, allow yourself to take breaks when it comes to creating your goals!
Without breaks, you will feel very stressed when trying to achieve your goals.
With breaks you will be able to keep a clear vision on your intentions and be able to see your progress! 🔮
As I previously mentioned, this particular moon phase can bring about doubts and also conflicts, which can hinder your ability to achieve your goals.
This is normal during this phase!
It can be easy to stop putting the work into creating your vision as life has gotten in the way.
This is also normal! I am guilty of doing this exact same thing!
What is important during this time is to take aligned action, as any progress towards your goals is better than dropping them completely! 🌸
With this Moon phase there will be a transformational energy in the air that's brought on from the Zodiac sign Scorpio. ♏️
Scorpio is ruled by Pluto, whose domain is death, rebirth, and transformation.
The shadow side of Scorpio can be petty, and allows jealousies to creep up during this time. Don't allow the shadow side of Scorpio to create aggravations towards yourself, or others.
If you're working collaboratively on a goal, remember to listen and ask questions. Try not to take control as your way isn't the only way. Remember to be kind to yourself and others during this time, don't allow Scorpio's stinger be your first defence. ⚔️
Utilise the transformative energy of this Zodiac sign!
This energy will help bring your intentions to fruition through action and reflection. Meditate on your intentions, see where changes in your action plan are necessary, and just start! 🦋
This is one of my favourite things to do during a full moon, and it’s low spoons! This simple ritual is an amazing way to connect with yourself and the energy of the universe. ✨
You don't even need to go outside until the last step, especially if the weather is bad! I would only recommend going outside for the burning of the releases. 🔮
If you would like to learn more about tonight's full moon (23/5/2024) then check out my previous post!
In the Southern Hemisphere it’ll be the full moon in Sagittarius this Thursday!! 🌕
Full moons are a time of release and letting go, a time
All you need is:
A fire safe vessel (metal bucket or iron cauldron)
A lighter / matches
Some water (fire safety!)
Paper and pencil / pen.
A yoga mat and / or blanket for comfort
When dealing with fire please be outside in a wind protected area! Fire safety is serious, especially here in Western Australia with how dry it still is! 😢
Method:
Firstly I like to physically and spiritually clean, and set up my space. This helps me get into a calm and mindful headspace. 🌸
I like to cleanse the space with incense and with my singing bowl. There are many ways to cleanse a space! I will be making a post about that soon!
Next comes grounding and protecting yourself! This is such an important step and should never be missed before doing any rituals or spells!
I have made a previous about how to do this here: https://www.tumblr.com/kenziemeadowscottage/740185661978607616/grounding-and-protection-why-it-is-important-for 🌱
Now it is time to reflect on what it is you need to let go during this phase. A good way to get an understanding is to learn what Zodiac sign the moon is currently in.
After reflecting on what I would like to let go I will write a list on a piece of paper. As I want these intentions to be leaving me, I will fold the paper away from me! Focus on the intention of pushing this energy away from you. 🦋
While under the moon I like to burn my piece of paper with what I am releasing. I will watch it burn and tune in with the energy being released through this act.
If it is not too cold I like to moon bathe. Even if it is cloudy as it is fun to watch the clouds part for the moon in interesting ways. I like to give thanks to the universe and to the power that is at work. 🌕
This is only one of many ways that I celebrate the moon cycle. I do not do this every time as it can be hard to always be all in when you struggle with low spoons and chronic pain.
I hope that this has inspired you to try something new, or has reminded you of this simple act. ✨
I would love to know your thoughts and some ways that you celebrate the full moon phase?
