Let's start this off with, I'm 25 years old. I've been a practicing pagan since 18, and have been eclectic in my practices. I don't conduct rituals or cast spells, I pray occasionally but focus mainly on what the earth has to give me. I have no idea how to classify myself, but if I had to, I'd go with kitchen witch and green witch. Why do I feel I'm a mix of both? I prefer working with anything my garden will provide and making something out of them like an excellent meal or beauty product. I'm very big into essential oils, and have been feeling extremely balanced, centered, and even connected to the earth ever since. If I do not have access to something by my own doing, I'll happily purchase it, one of my most recent ventures was flaxseed, rose, lavender, and chamomile pillows! It was extremely fun to make and they're very, very soothing as well. Having the opportunity to work directly with the dried herbs made my day.
That's all for now, though. It's raining outside so I'm going to set a couple of jars up to catch the water.
Edit: I used to try to educate people on the positivity that can often stem from paganism, and share the history, but that threatened too many people. I was openly made fun of by family for my religious choice. Sure, I was overzealous with it, but they could have calmly sat me down and explained to me how they felt, instead of talking to their friends about me, and making fun of who I am. I won't name who it was, since all you need to know is that it was family, and family shouldn't treat you like this. Please don't ever hide who you are. I'm just now getting back to who I was. Changing yourself to appease other people will never make you happy! Always be true to yourself, so long as you love who you are.
If you're the person making fun of your family: take a good, hard look at yourself. If you feel the urge to say "that person needs to learn more about their religion" because of symbols they may have tattooed onto their body, from differing cultures, don't say anything at all. Keep it in and research what you think you know about it. There are so many branches of this religion, just like Christianity, and each has its own symbology, lore, practices, and whatnot. It's constantly evolving and redefining what even us practitioners know. In this religion, we're all always learning, always growing, always reinventing, and never 'masters'. If you think you've learned all there is, you're wrong. Remember, assuming tends to make an ass out of yourself.
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Edit: I used to try to educate people on the positivity that can often stem from paganism, and share the history, but that threatened too many people. I was openly made fun of by family for my religious choice. Sure, I was overzealous with it, but they could have calmly sat me down and explained to me how they felt, instead of talking to their friends about me, and making fun of who I am. I won't name who it was, since all you need to know is that it was family, and family shouldn't treat you like this. Please don't ever hide who you are. I'm just now getting back to who I was. Changing yourself to appease other people will never make you happy! Always be true to yourself, so long as you love who you are.
If you're the person making fun of your family: take a good, hard look at yourself. If you feel the urge to say "that person needs to learn more about their religion" because of symbols they may have tattooed onto their body, from differing cultures, don't say anything at all. Keep it in and research what you think you know about it. There are so many branches of this religion, just like Christianity, and each has its own symbology, lore, practices, and whatnot. It's constantly evolving and redefining what even us practitioners know. In this religion, we're all always learning, always growing, always reinventing, and never 'masters'. If you think you've learned all there is, you're wrong. Remember, assuming tends to make an ass out of yourself.
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When I was a child, my father would instill his love of nature, in me. He'd let me collect stones, and even help me break them open for me when I thought there might be quartz inside. He and I really bonded over this love, and I think that's what led to my religious choice. For as long as I can remember, he's never been one to feel comfortable sitting in a church, praying to someone he's questioned his entire life. Instead, he'd rather be out in the forest, watching the leaves sway against a blue sky, or sitting somewhere, safe observing the chaotic beauty of a storm. Even to this day, I'll never forget the look of absolute glee on his face, while we took the family ATVs out and explored the family cabin's land. Hopefully, that's something I'll be able to do with my future children. I learned so much in those days, and that's something I'll forever cherish. My mom would catch these moments on film. She learned alongside me and never once attempted to beat religion into me. The only choices of mine that she's hated are my tattoos, but she's accepted them nonetheless, because I'm her child.
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I don't cast spells not because I'm not a witch, but because I'm a practical person. I believe that if you want a change in your life, you have to be it. I believe that if you want more money, you work to get it, not cast a spell so it magically finds its way to you. I believe in Karma, and reincarnation as well. I also believe in psychic phenomena, ghosts, and an afterlife. I do believe that everything has an energy, especially if it came from the earth, and sometimes, you're able to tap into that energy, but I'm not dependent on it. As I said, I'm eclectic in my beliefs and practices.
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I do read tarot and cast runes, when the moment strikes me. I never use a ouija board as it's known to be directly connected with evil on several different occasions. If you think you want to use one, please do your research and take as many precautions as humanly possible. Always remember the law of three and never cast curses. Do unto others, as you would want done unto you. Harm ye none, and do as ye will.
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Being a witch does not give me the right to look down on other religions. I respect all and try to learn as much as humanly possible.
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I'm complicated and hope this blog will be a useful resource for anyone who respects me and uses it responsibly.
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Kitchen Witch: Kitchen witchcraft, or kitchen witchery, is a form of witchcraft practiced concurrently with tasks centered on the kitchen, such as cooking and baking, and making use of readily available items for rituals and spells rather than purpose-bought or purpose-made elements.
Green Witch: A Green Witch is normally someone who practices Natural Witchcraft. Someone who works with the Earth and the Universe around them. A Green Witch also works with the energies of natural objects like stones,gems,herbs,animals,and the elements.
