According to Google, a witch is-

A person thought to have magic powers, especially evil ones, popularly depicted as a woman wearing a black cloak and pointed hat and flying on a broomstick

I am not going to go into the history of witches or touch on this really dramactic definition that comes right up. It's the week of Halloween and you can and will probably see plenty of what society considers a witch on your own! Instead, I want to talk about witchcraft now, and what being a witch means to me personally. But first, may I ask,

What is your relationship with the word WITCH

It's polarizing for some, right?

Yes, the Witch Wound is alive and well still. But right now, I am focusing on the actual word. Do you use it? Do you associate it with yourself? Do you think people who call themselves witches are delusional?

It took me years to call myself a witch. I remember having a tarot reading done once, and halfway through, she stopped and asked, "Are you a witch?"

My answer ... "I wish."

I wanted so badly to be someone who fit my definition of a witch. And I just didn't feel ready to do that. I also didn't think I was enough to be considered a witch by those I looked up to...Those living their lives authentically and sharing their natural magick. Although, those nearest and dearest to me at the time would refer to me as a witch, I would always quietly think "but am I?" It actually feels silly looking back on it.

Now, I have my own attachment to the word, and it's not dark or secret. Although I will be honest, living in a small, northeastern FL town, I'm not screaming it from the rooftops, but internally, I have worked hard to have a good relationship with the word.

To me, being a witch is someone who is connected- with others, with nature, with themselves. They understand that herbs, trees, animals --everything--, all of it is sacred. And they know how to bring together ingredients for the sake of healing, be it in the kitchen or for medicinal purposes. Personally, I don't associate being a particular type of witch. I consider myself a healer in many ways without needing to assign myself to a realm. But if you do, I love that for you.

I don't understand how and why we have gotten so judgemental of each other in this space. I am not involved in any social media drama and will do anything to keep it that way. But I see these posts that aim to call people out for practicing this way or that way. What happened to supporting people where they are on their journey? Imagine being so safe and comfortable that you, as a witch, are putting down another person who is a witch. What a fantastic time in history we have reached. Considering in the past, if you even said the word, you were either having someone else killed or yourself.

Growing up, I didn't sit on the outskirts of society and make potions. But that doesn't mean I can't lean into who I know myself to be now. Looking back, I was certainly drawn towards the mystical but it wasn't my time to explore it fully. I needed to learn to trust myself and honor the external world much more. Essentially, I needed to work towards healing myself before I could work to heal others.

I ask you to consider that there is a broad mold of perfect witchy formulas and spells. When creating magick, whatever that means to you, follow what feels right for you.I fear we have become so obsessed with following all the instructions from Witchtok's TikTok videos that we forget to listen to our intuition along the way. If you want to get deeper into magick, manifestation, and spell work, add what correlates, for sure, but don't be afraid to listen to what your soul is telling you as well.

And if you are struggling with the societal downcast of the word, remember this- they may call you crazy, and they may say "witch" as if it's something to be embarrassed about. But what they don't know is that word- those polarizing five letters- connects you to your soul, the earth, and those around you. That word, witch, is what pushes you to guide, heal, and teach. It's not a diagnosis of crazy; it's a gift.