All are welcome in the woods
When I first started exploring Wicca and paganism 20 something years ago, I was mostly alone. I was buying used books and reading blogs and occasionally talking to the one or two people that I knew in real life that were witches. And I was told many things. That you have to do certain rituals during certain moon phases. Always face North (or was it West?) when beginning your circle. You should learn Welsh or Gaelic to say this right. This type of incense is best for this spell. Only store your tarot cards this way, no that’s wrong who told you that? You should do it like this.
And I’ll be completely honest with you; all these charts and names and shoulds overwhelmed me and made me feel like a bad witch. I could never remember to pay attention to the moon or what phase was good for what. I only realized it was a Sabbat a few days after the fact. If a deity or spirit is mad that I’m not saying their Welsh name correctly, well then I’m not really interested in working with them. I stopped practicing any craft for several years because I felt I’d never do it “right” and shouldn’t do it at all.
But in recent years I started thinking, that’s nonsense. That’s the same sort of shaming and gate-keeping that I dislike in other mainstream religions. And I’ve since been diagnosed with things like asthma and allergies (no incense for me, thanks, a bell will do), auditory processing disorder (please write out your chant, I’ll never understand just hearing it), and executive dysfunction (I simply cannot make my brain retain these moon phases lists of herbs). Really, if someone is thinking I’m not a good witch because I don’t remember what direction to face or what color candle to burn for X spell, they are kinda ableist.
So I’m here to knock down the garden gate and welcome you to the wild woods. Everyone is welcome here. EVERYONE. Magic is for everyone. You don’t need dragons blood incense and jars of mugwort. You can just clap your hands or imagine raising the vibrations with your mind. Chamomile tea will do. Can’t have candles due to asthma or your’e just afraid of fire? Rechargeable LED candles are great and you can change the color! Forgot to get your spell ready for the full moon? Who cares! Do it the next day. The right time for spell work is when you have the time and space and good energy to do it.
I need you to know that your spirit guides, deities, fairies, angels, whatever souls of higher love that connect with you, do not care what time of day it is or what kind of incense you burn or what the moon is doing. They only care about what’s in your heart, the intention and energy you are bringing to the meeting. Take a deep breath in through your nose. Hold it a few seconds, imagining a glowing pink light emanating from your heart and surrounding you until it fills up the room. As you exhale, imagine that light turns into soft, pink petals, like cherry blossoms floating down from the sky. Now open your eyes, and join me in the forest. I’m so happy you’re here.