my own path

thirty-something queer pagan witch (she/they) living with my spouse and our cat. cancer survivor. call me juniper. this is my witchcraft blog so expect mostly that mixed with aesthetic posts.

[honeysuckle-hymns]

Can we start a thread of what everyone is reading rn? I need some more reading material plsssss!

[slewfootwitch]

Alpine Witchery (not far enough in to know whether I recommend it, but that's what I'm reading).

[witchothebogfolk]

An Unkindness of Ghosts - Rivers Solomon

Also current reading short stories from Unspeakable: A Queer Gothic Anthology, The Best of World SF: Vol 2, The Complete Works of Poe, Mindworks - Neal Shusterman, and Space Crone - Ursula K Le Guin.

[towalkmyownpath]

Trying to finish up Weave the Liminal by Laura Tempest Zakroff this month!

[prairiebeetle]

I think more pagans need to learn to accept the divine mystery of it all, sometimes.

things will not always make perfect logical sense because the divine is not necessarily confined to earthly logic.

not that it isn't worthwhile to speculate and discuss, but more of us need to get comfortable with the idea that there may not always BE an answer - or at least not one we're equipped to understand!

[heavenpureheart]

[breelandwalker]

Marks of growth as a person and practitioner in witchcraft spaces:

-not feeling the need to constantly correct others

-knowing when and how to offer a dissenting viewpoint

-being content to disagree without engaging in debate

-fact-checking information before passing it along or incorporating it into your practice

-questioning your assumptions and decolonizing your thinking

-understanding that no two practices are the same and that the experiences and opinions of others do not need to govern your path

-understanding that practices not your own or contrary to your own can still be valid

-being able to describe your current beliefs without putting down others or defaulting to discussions about religious trauma

-focusing on comprehension, learning, and exploration rather than consumption

-understanding that "witch" is a gender neutral term and that anyone can be a witch if they choose to

-understanding that safety is more important than visibility

-understanding that magical practice does not have to be constant

-Developing personal beliefs and practices that may align with existing traditions but may not match them precisely

-Developing a reliable bullshit detector and employing it regularly

-Diminished desire for constant validation from outside sources as to whether you're "doing it right"

-diminished desire to overshare or aestheticize your practices, instead focusing on what works for you rather than what looks pretty enough for social media

-diminished desire to Do All The Things At Once and instead focusing on the areas where you are comfortable / interested and taking things at a reasonable pace

-being aware of the problems in the community and doing your best to not contribute to them

-being aware of the New Age pipeline and staying out of it as much as possible

-embracing science and history and common sense alongside magical learning and spiritual beliefs (if you have them)

There are lots of others, but these are some of the ones I've noted in my own journey. Just some things to consider.

Happy Witching and Keep Growing!

[sioltach]

Your quality of life will increase ten-fold when you learn to appreciate the sight of a little bird

[highabovethecloudssomewhere]

A couple years ago, I was staying with a friend for New Year’s and we’d decided to drive down to this adorable strip of locally-owned small business shops and check them out. The bakery was particularly crowded and since I wasn’t planning to buy anything, I waited outside. It’d been snowing, and since moving I’d picked up a “Californian-experiences-true-midwest-winter-for-the-first-time” habit of making at least one (1) tiny snowman every opportunity I get

so I built a little snowman on one of the small tables on this strip. 

after about three minutes of cramming ice together, I hear, “Do you want espresso beans for the eyes?” and I turn around and there’s this gal leaning precariously far out the window of her coffee shop, surrounded by her coworkers, holding out her hand and said espresso beans.

I think of those strangers often. just the thought of them all looking out the window to see this random stranger on the corner in the snow building a tiny snowman and deciding to join in, make it special for no other reason than that they wanted to. people are so, so precious and I’m never going to forget that moment.

[cryptotheism]

It's crazy that you're can just learn about something for real. I wanted to know more about magic now I do. It never stops.

[cryptotheism]

I just want to remind everyone that it is possible to learn things for real in real life.

[towalkmyownpath]

memo to me: listen to spouse when they say a walk will do you good

they know you

you will feel so much more grounded afterwards, even if external issues try and stress you out again immediately afterwards

[butterflypeaflowertea]

it’s so nice being fond of people on here :-) like yeah maybe we only know each other in a very limited way but i care abt you guys & hearing abt your lives makes me happy & i like listening to the things u have to say & i really truly wish the best for you all!!! sending my love from a couple states, countries, oceans away

[detectivehole]

"why do you know that" i am curious about the world around me

[happyheidi]

[souvenirs]

[spitfaggot]

happy birthday, gilbert baker. (june 2, 1951 — march 31, 2017)

[5555ilenthill]

[sacredlittleember]

So often I worry about getting things wrong.

But I realized something a long time ago: there really isn’t one “right” way to do this.

Yes, closed practices exist and should be respected. Yes, some traditions are culturally specific. Yes, there are methods, rituals, tools, and approaches that people may find more effective than others.

But outside of that?

Your practice does not have to look exactly like someone else’s to be real.

I know you might feel lost sometimes, especially if your path is mostly reconstructed, self-led, intuitive, or built from scattered pieces you had to gather yourself. But that does not make it less meaningful. In a way, that is part of the beauty of it.

You are forging your own relationship with your deities, spirits, ancestors, land, or whatever sacred presence calls to you. You are learning the language of your own devotion. You are building something honest.

And I know it can feel lonely. I know it can feel discouraging. I know it can feel like everyone else has some ancient handbook you never got handed.

But I promise, you are not alone.

There is someone out there whose beliefs may not be exactly the same as yours, but close enough that your soul will recognize the warmth. Your people exist. Your path exists. Your practice is valid.

You do not need anyone else to approve of the sacred relationship you are building.

What you need is the courage to take the next step.

So go ahead.

It’s right there. 🌙

[to-orrr]

here are some more cats 🍓

[stormwaterwitch]

Rabbits Rabbits Rabbits

Reblog this on the first of the month for good luck all month long!

[dumbbbunnnyy-deactivated2021021]

[to-orrr]

tomato