When I first started my witchy journey I assumed, like many, that one day I would just "know everything I needed to". I walked into this like it was a college degree and I would get a certificate and a "well done" one day and be done with my learning journey. It was not a conscious thought - but it was an attitude I didn't even realize I had. This led to much discouragement throughout the last few years as there was always another thing to learn, another path I had never heard of, more and more that I had never come across.
I started to feel like I did not belong. It was as if I was not a good enough witch because I did not know my astrology chart by heart or had all the Tarot cards in all the decks I own memorized. Then I had an epiphany! It came at the same time as my anxiety epiphany. Just like I will never not have an anxiety disorder, I will never not have something new to learn about my craft. Isn't that exciting?
My hair stylist (an amazing woman who keeps my undercut in check) said to my step-daughter who was stressing about the unknown newness of being an adult:
If you are green you are growing, when you ripen you rot. So stay green.
This is a beautifully catchy idea that helps us remember to stay the novice, the neophyte, the apprentice in all things.
Novices go towards that which is unknown with curiosity and enthusiasm. They approach things knowing that they know nothing.
Experts approach things knowing that they know everything, that there is nothing they have not learned and cannot achieve with what they have become skilled in.
Masters approach everything with curiosity and enthusiasm, knowing that they know nothing, but with more confidence.
So to truly master my craft I need to think like the novice, but with confidence that I can figure it out. This was a revelation, as I had no idea that my unconscious bias towards the unknown was getting in my way. I started out saturating myself in all the witchy books I could. If I was reading anything it was a book on the craft. I quickly got burnt out.
There has been a recent boom in books for beginning witches and I love it. However, you can only read "How to Call a Circle 101" and "SALT: How to Use it" so many times before you get incredibly bored. I have at least 12 books that go over the basics, and the rest jump right into the complex, the complicated, and the time consuming. I need an intermediate level book (anyone?). Regardless, I love my books, I just could not bring myself to keep reading the same thing, the same history, the similar lore as my only media consumption. So I branched out.
On a whim, I purchased "Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains" by Bethany Brookshire. I must tell you this book is informative, mired deep in research and observation and filled to the brim with sarcasm. I was hooked and blasted through it in days, cannot recommend enough. This book also got me thinking - I have researched the metaphysical meanings of mice, pigeons, elephants and snakes but never really researched the animals themselves. How do they live? How did they come to be top of mind for humans? How do humans and them co-exist in our world? I had no real clue outside of my house pets.
While this book was not witchy in nature at all - I learned so much that I could tie back to my practice that it got me thinking; as long as I am consistently curious I am honoring myself as a witch and my universal soul. Boom. It was like the universe did a mic drop on my brain. I don't have to hyper focus just on witch marketed content. I don't have to saturate myself in the esoteric. There is no RULE that says I have to learn every thing about everything mystical before I can follow other interests. I am a witch - that makes EVERY interest I have witchy. I love it.
So - here is my heartfelt advice from my side of the internet to your side of the internet. Learn. Never stop learning, never stop reading, never stop listening. Always be feeling, experiencing, looking, and searching. Dive deep into the life of insects, look into the depths of proper nutrition, and determine how best to care for your home (chores can be the best energy cleanse ever). Recognize that there is NO need to pressure yourself into turning everything into a ritual. No one needs that level of stress. Arin Murphy-Hiscock states in their book "The House Witch"
"It's impractical to consciously focus on every single move you make throughout the day as being spiritual. If you did, you'd likely go slightly mad under all the perceived pressure and repercussions."
They go on to say that touching base once a day is generally enough to have all your daily activities blessed with good energy. I like this book a lot as there is a whole section on how to bless your kitchen gadgets; my coffee maker feels very appreciated.
Everything you do dear reader, is enough. You are enough. Taking care of your body, mind, soul, home, and family is enough to connect you to the divine energy. If you can remember to put sigils in the ceiling when you replace your home downlights- AWESOME - if you are like me and think about it when the project is already half way done - that's ok too! If the only energy work you can do in a week is showing up to your therapy appointment - then do that. It can be fun to do large elaborate rituals, but so is going to Disney Land. I liked it, I had a blast, I do not want to do that every day, or even every week. See you in many years theme park!
So, as you amble through your days - be curious. When the ever present unknown rears its ugly head say " Oh, I'm interested to learn how to....(Insert thing here; Federal jury duty, calling insurance company, cooking a new recipe, etc.)". It will train your brain to be interested instead of playing the doom music, and overall you will have a much happier day. Choose Joy my friends. May Wunjo ᚹ follow you always.
Comments