Ask a Cottage Witch: part 7
In this edition: Nature-based practices and cycle teachings suitable for cautious parents & Which way to hang a horseshoe for luck
I have always been intrigued about learning more about nature, herbs and the magic all around us but being a mom I am so hesitant as to how to learn and practice without bringing something in or around that might affect my children. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
~ Beginner and confused
Dear Beginner and confused,
You are a wise woman and good momma for wanting to proceed safely, and I have great news for you! While there are lots of areas where one would be well advised to be versed in protective measures, the fields that you mention have lots of room for safe navigation. Witchery doesn’t always involve spirits, deities, or entities in unseen realms, working instead with energies, properties, and aspects found in our day-to-day, ordinary reality. Keeping to personal workings rather than for friends and community also reduces need for concern. In this way, much of the energy that you encounter or information found in reference books will be fairly straightforward.
A great place to begin, is by consciously moving through the cycles of the seasons and phases of the moon. For instance, finding ways to incorporate the natural increase of growth energy inherently present during Springtime or a waxing moon; perhaps by starting a new project, learning a new skill, or intentionally working with what you would like more of in life. Likewise, during Autumn, paying particular notice of situations or dynamics that are ending, focusing on rituals for letting unsupportive aspects die off, or turning attention inward in preparation for Winter’s dark dreaming time and soul-level hearth keeping.
Tending to a nature table or shrine is an easy way to connect with the essence of a season and slowly flow through natural increase and decrease. It acts as a soft energetic attunement and is a gentle way to include your family. Pausing to ask for a sense of consent to bring home the fallen pinecones, beautiful flowers, or shiny stones found on walks and leaving a gift of love, song, or a few strands of hair behind instills a good sense of reciprocity and permission. Working with these cycle teachings ties in well with herbal workings too. If exploring the metaphysical or healing properties of culinary herbs and seasonal plants in your area, you can include them in your intentional cooking or other spell work. Examples here might be stirring a soup with fresh Basil clockwise during a Spring waxing moon to increase prosperity, or burning dried Rosemary in the Fall to help clear painful memories, even adding sunshiny Calendula flowers to Summer Solstice cookies in honour of long bright days full of vitality. Truly, these practices can be thought of as layers of associations put together in an intentional way with an aim for making change in your daily life.
As your walk your path of sacred living, the magic that is all around us naturally begins to make itself more and more known. Synchronicities increase, powerful feeling experiences occur, sensitivities to energy, messages, and intuition heightens, previously ordinary happenings seem richer and more potent, teachers in many different forms appear, and your gifts and confidence will organically grow. Keeping a journal of your witchy workings alongside daily events can be very helpful to clearly witness correlations, find what methods are effective, and remember what techniques feel most natural to you.
With the methods shared here, rather than protecting against deleterious entities, one only needs to consider allergies, poisonous plants/contraindications, and the knowing that your work may be more effective or outcomes may take different forms than initially imagined. Cultivate your intentions mindfully, and enjoy this soul-full way of living!
In good health,
Juliette
Which way is the best way to hang a horseshoe?
~ Lady Rosewood
Dear Lady Rosewood,
I grew up believing a horseshoe should be hung above a door in the shape of a U, or “heels up” so that the luck doesn’t run out. Now, if you are a blacksmith it is hung with the heels down so the luck runs into the forge, anvil, and tools. For this reason, some choose to follow suit believing it to pour out the luck to fill their home with good fortune.
Being smithed of iron, horseshoes are often considered as lucky talismans in general no matter which way they hang, due to the repelling nature of such metal against unsavoury magic wielding characters or those with ill intent and because blacksmiths themselves were regarded has magically powerful people able to transfer good fortune and blessings through their word and works, and also because they tend to have 7 (lucky) nail holes.
This is my round about way of saying that simply having one may be pretty lucky in itself no matter which way it’s pointing. However! if it is a shoe that has been cast off by the horse, it is said the luck has worn off. In our house the horseshoe is, and has always been, hung heels up but definitely do what feels most right.
Delightful fortune to you,
Juliette
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If you haven't met me yet, Hello! I'm Juliette, a sacred living mentor, best selling author, and devotional artist here to help you navigate life while cultivating your spiritual nature.
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