- Serena 6 Comments

why i’m studying druidry for a year (and how)

why i'm studying druidry for a year (and how)

I’ve been talking a little bit about Druidry over on my Instagram lately, and a lot of people have been wondering more about what it is/why I decided to take a year to study it. I’m going to start this off by saying I’m by no means an expert or any kind of authority, I literally just started learning about this stuff a month ago. So this post is going to be more about what drew me to Druidry and what I’m doing to learn more about it.

Basically, Druidry is a spiritual path that focuses on respecting the Earth and all her inhabitants. According to the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids, it is “a spiritual way and practice that speaks to three of our greatest yearnings: to be fully creative in our lives, to commune deeply with the world of Nature, and to gain access to a source of profound wisdom.”

why i'm studying druidry for a year (and how)
Notebooks my man Gear Box Leather made. Aren’t they pretty?

While Druidry itself is a spirituality, it has no central deity and can be practiced alongside whatever other spiritual path you might currently have. Here is a list of Druid beliefs in case you’d like to learn more. These all fit in with what I had already believed and practiced as part of my witchcraft, so finding this felt like coming home. I can study Druidry and eventually follow that path while continuing to practice as a witch. There are so many more components to it than what I’ve explained here, so I really recommend checking out the OBOD website if you’re looking for more information (or any other websites about Druidry you’ve found! The AODA is another great organization with their own curriculum to follow in case you’re interested.)

So why Druidry? When I was younger, nothing made me happier than spending the whole day wandering in the woods. Some of my fondest memories are of playing outside or going for long walks with my mother. We would go camping quite a bit and I wasn’t bothered by dirt or bugs – I just liked being in nature and I felt at home there. But somewhere along the way, I lost that. It got even worse this past year or so, when I started this blog and building up a freelance writing career in addition to my full-time job. Suddenly, I was spending 90% of my time in front of a screen and not only was I not going outside anymore, I wasn’t doing ANYTHING else. I wasn’t pursuing my hobbies, I wasn’t connecting with my spirituality, I wasn’t taking care of myself, I wasn’t fully present in my relationships, and more than anything, I wasn’t happy. I could feel deep down that I was being called to spend more time in nature, but I just couldn’t make it happen with the way things were.

why i'm studying druidry for a year (and how)

Now, I’m not one of those “technology is bad!” people by any means. But I do think it’s a problem when you’re spending so much time online, you’re missing out on the chance to live. It got to the point where I didn’t know what to blog about anymore and couldn’t even fathom starting any creative projects because I had no inspiration. All of my time was spent on the computer, instead of being out having meaningful experiences in the real world.

So I’m finding a balance. I quit my day job to pursue freelancing and blogging full time, and I’m hoping to fill the newly-opened spaces in my schedule with the things my soul has been longing for all along – taking long walks in nature, getting back in touch with my creative passions, cultivating a deeper connection to my spirituality, and just generally living my life.

Druidry speaks to all of that for me, and so I’m taking a year to follow the OBOD curriculum and see where I end up. Basically, every month they send you a package of four gwersi, or lessons. They come in a little blue booklet along with supplementary materials, such as information about the Sabbats or other important stand-alone lessons. So far I’ve been really enjoying the course – each booklet is short, but gives you enough information to think about for a while. I think it would be manageable to study even if you did have a lot of other responsibilities like a full-time job or kids to take care of.

why i'm studying druidry for a year (and how)

I’m going through each lesson and taking detailed notes. I’m also borrowing a few things from the AODA curriculum even though I’m not a member of that organization in order to enhance my experience, such as celebrating the Sabbats (which I do anyway), spending at least 15 minutes in stillness in nature each week, making three lifestyle changes that benefit the Earth, reading nine books about the local ecology, meditating regularly, and pursuing a creative art form (for me, painting!) I’d love to be a member of both the AODA and the OBOD, but for financial reasons I’m sticking with just one for now.

I’ll be checking in on this blog about how my journey is going throughout the year, partly to hold myself accountable and partly because I strongly feel that in order to continue as a society, we need to find a way to balance our use of technology with environmental stewardship and compassion for one another. Computers and smartphones aren’t going anywhere, so it’s useless to complain about how they’re ruining society – all we can do is find a way forward that works for everyone involved. And if I can find a way to do it, Internet-obsessed as I am, anyone can!

If you’re interested in forming a deeper connection with nature and your own spirituality, I really recommend looking into what Druidry has to offer. It’s a very accessible spiritual path and is one of those things where you can really take what you need and leave the rest (that is, you don’t have to become a Druid in order to adopt some of their principles into your lifestyle.)

Do you have any experience with Druidry? Is nature a big part of your spiritual path? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear all about it! <3

- Serena Leave a comment

your new fave: plum deluxe tea!

your new fave: plum deluxe tea!

A while back, Andy Hayes from Plum Deluxe tea company reached out and asked if I’d be interested in reviewing some tea samples for the blog! I might not have said yes (I don’t want to be one of Those Bloggers where every post is a review) except that once I checked out the website, I actually thought it would be a GREAT fit. Witches love tea, right?

So disclaimer, while this is NOT a sponsored post, I did receive these teas free of charge. That said, all opinions are 100% my own after trying all of the blends sent to me and doing my own research into the company. I know, I feel like these disclaimers don’t usually make people feel more trustworthy but bear with me. I wouldn’t review anything I didn’t genuinely think you guys would like!

your new fave: plum deluxe tea!

Plum Deluxe is a tea company that also offers a monthly subscription box where they’ll send you either one or two teas a month, depending on which tier you choose. Andy started Plum Deluxe in memory of his mother, to honor her love of the small but lovely moments in life.

They also donate a portion of their profits to various local charities, both in their own community and in their customers’. They have a “Suggest a Project” form on their website so you could suggest a charity of your own!

your new fave: plum deluxe tea!

In addition to their monthly subscription service, you can buy the teas right from their site. They have a bunch of really fun blends, some of which would be great for spiritual activities – I incorporated the Gratitude Blend, a strawberry Earl Grey, into a ritual last month and it was amazing. I also tried the Passion Blend Oolong, which is really good hot but NEXT-LEVEL over ice. It’s so refreshing. The third blend I tried was Mindful Morning, another Earl Grey (can we tell I have a favorite type of tea?) that has a hint of vanilla and a bit of orange.

If you’re looking for some great blends or would love a monthly tea subscription, head over to their site and check them out! I really loved the three I tried and I’m planning an order soon (the Abundance blend is calling my name, and I need a refill on the Passion Oolong…) Thanks again to Andy for letting me try these amazing teas! 🙂

What’s your favorite tea company? Any others I should try out? I just got a new infuser after months without one so the world of loose-leaf teas is my oyster!!

- Serena 2 Comments

april faves: oracle decks, laundry soap, and a cat!

april faves: oracle decks, laundry soap, and a cat!

Happy May! I hope your Beltane was full of love and flowers. Maybe wine? Mine had wine, for sure.

You know what a new month means… A new favorites post!

Things have been pretty different for me the past few days for a few reasons. First of all, we got a cat! Her name is Luna (because I’m a basic witch) and she’s so cute it makes me want to cry, even though she seems to hate me unless I’m giving her food. She’ll warm up eventually. I hope.

april faves: oracle decks, laundry detergent, and a cat!
Isn’t she cute? Don’t you just want to pet her? Yeah, me too. She’s not having it.

Secondly (and maybe more life-changingly), my last day at my day job was last week and now I’m officially a full-time freelancer! It’s been really fun to make my own schedule and I’m still not used to the freedom. Like I can just go to the store if I want to? Or go to the bank before it closes?? It’s pretty crazy, but so much fun. And it’s allowing me to work more on the blog, so expect some fun new things before the end of this month!

This post contains some affiliate links, which are marked with a *. (That just means that if you purchase the item, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.) Without further ado, here are some things I’ve been loving in April!

april faves: oracle decks, laundry soap, and a cat!

Decks I’m Using

I discovered the Spark Your Bliss deck through Instagram and it’s so cute! You can snag a copy by messaging @healthychicks, the deck’s creator.

I also received my copy of the Faerie Enchantments oracle and while I’m not 100% sure it’s the deck for me, I’m including it in my favorites because part of it IS my favorite: it’s edged in ROSE GOLD. ROSE GOLD!! Are there other decks out there that are edged in rose gold? If so, let me know because I need them all. It’s a seriously beautiful deck, even if it’s tough for me to read with so far.

Books I’m Loving 

It’s taking me seriously the longest time in the world to read the Outlander series, but I’m on Drums of Autumn* right now and I’m… loving and hating it at the same time. I love it because I LOVE it but I hate it because I’m always stressed that a new bad thing is going to happen and it usually does!! So I’m reading with caution (and needing to catch up on the show because UGH I love everything about it)

Still slowly working through Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner* by Scott Cunningham.

Not a book, but a notebook: I snagged this cute floral notebook from Bando* and it’s seriously perfect. Hardcover + portable + pastel + college ruled = sign me up!

april faves: oracle decks, laundry soap, and a cat!

Pretty Etsy Finds

As you might know, my boyfriend owns his own leathercrafting business and he made me the gorgeous tarot card case shown above, partly to go along with my studies in Druidry (more on that in a later post) and partly because he’s a nice guy. You can get your own in his shop!

Obsessing over essential oil diffuser necklaces this month. What’s the best kind, wood, clay, or lava rock? I really like this simple one but also this wood one is really cool.

Can we talk about this gorgeous crystal hair comb?? The listing says it’s for weddings but maybe it can also be for frolicking in the woods pretending I’m a fairy mermaid? I think anything is possible.

Other Miscellaneous Faves

Laundry soap. Hear me out on this one. As I’ve mentioned in earlier posts, I’m trying to transition to a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Part of that meant swapping out my loathsome Tide pods (and the white residue they left all over my black shirts) for something better for the earth, and for me! I started using Young Living’s Thieves laundry soap and I’m in love. Never going back to the pods, no matter how convenient they may have been!! (If you want to read a little more about why I chose Young Living, I made a page for that here!)

And speaking of Young Living, their Grounding blend has been giving me life these past few weeks. Whenever the freelancer panic sets in, I just give it a sniff and my feet are back on the ground!

I’m re-watching Supernatural because my boyfriend hasn’t ever seen it. Does anyone else watch that show? Their portrayal of witches is so inaccurate it’s laughable but for the most part it’s so much fun to watch!

Plum Deluxe tea. Andy sent me a few samples to review and I love them! I’ll be doing a more in-depth review later on, but definitely check his stuff out. The Passion Blend Oolong is my favorite. It’s great hot, but as iced tea? DIVINE.

That’s about all that comes to mind! I’m sure my May favorites will be super exciting now that I have free time to like, live my life. Stay tuned for some cool posts this month, including some manifestation magic and a journey into Druidry…

What are you loving lately? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to know! ♥

- Serena 2 Comments

diy moisturizing milk bath for self-love

diy moisturizing milk bath for self-love

Beltane is tomorrow! This Sabbat isn’t one I’ve done much for in the past, but I’m so excited to celebrate this year. Beltane, also known as May Day, is a celebration of the spring and the return of the crops after a long cold spell. It’s also a festival of fertility and love, particularly the, er, physical kind. (It’s kind of a sex holiday, okay?)

I don’t know about you, but fertility is not something I’m really that concerned about at this point in my life and if you don’t have access to a Maypole, this Sabbat might fall a little flat for you. You can still celebrate in many ways, though, and I thought this would be a great day to share a recipe for a self-love bath that you can do!

diy moisturizing milk bath for self-love

Flowers are very much a symbol of Beltane and while you can really use any flowers you’d like for this bath. Roses are a good choice since they’re traditionally associated with love, but use whatever flowers are your favorite! Violets are growing like crazy in my yard this year – if you’re looking for a good way to use some of your backyard flowers, this is a great one. You can either just use the petals or gather whole flowers to float on the water – your method might depend on the type of flower that you pick.

(Note: please be sure to use flowers you’re not allergic to, and that haven’t been exposed to pesticides or other harmful chemicals!)

You will also need:

  • 4 cups of whole milk
  • 1 cup of Epsom salts
  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 3-4 drops of essential oil of your choice, or enough to scent it to your liking (I like lavender in my baths for calming!)

diy moisturizing milk bath for self-love

Fill the bath with water, then add everything but the flowers and swish it around. The Epsom salts will help eliminate toxins, while the milk and baking soda will work together to soften your skin. Honey is a humectant, which means it helps to seal moisture into your skin.

After those ingredients have been combined in the bathwater, lightly float your flower petals on top of the water. With each flower or petal you add, say an affirmation out loud, such as “I am confident and strong” or “My inner beauty shines through.” You can say as many affirmations as you’d like!

Finally, hop in the tub and soak a while. You can play relaxing music and light some candles if you wish, but the point is to just disconnect from the stress and negativity of your day and really unwind. Envision the Epsom salts pulling out your negative thoughts while the other ingredients work to soothe your skin. For every flower floating in your bath, say one thing you love about yourself out loud. It’s okay if you don’t mean it yet – by saying it out loud, you make it more true.

Repeat these things over and over like a mantra until you’re ready to leave the bath. Pick the flower petals out before you drain the water so your pipes don’t get clogged, then watch the bathwater swirl down the drain, taking your negative self-talk with it. All you’re left with are the positives you instilled in yourself. Additionally, you can put on some nice lotion to finish things off.

And there you have it! I’m a big proponent of magickal baths, but especially for self-love purposes, as you sort of have to confront your nekkid self whether you like it or not.

How are you celebrating Beltane? Doing anything exciting this year? I’d love to hear all about it! â™¥

- Serena Leave a comment

6 witchy ways to celebrate earth day

6 witchy ways to celebrate earth day

(before we start… have you registered yet for Practical Magick for Modern Witches? You only have a few days left to snag a 15% discount! Check out this post to read more about it, then register right here!)

Earth Day is tomorrow! This was never a holiday I got excited about as a kid, but now as an adult I’m all over it. Love me some nature!

Witchcraft is, to me, very much a nature-based spirituality: we work with the moon, herbs, the elements, crystals, and so many other gifts from nature in order to make our magick happen. It seems only fair that we celebrate Earth Day in return!

Aside from the ol’ reduce, reuse, recycle, here are 6 witchy things you can do this Earth Day to give back to the planet and appreciate the nature in your life!

6 witchy ways to celebrate earth day

1. Plant an herb garden

Or a tree or whatever you want, but herb gardens seem like the witchiest idea. Growing your own herbs is magick in and of itself, and plants that you tended and raised from seeds will give you a major boost in your spellwork (or, you know, in a killer lasagna.) This has been on my to-do list for a looooong time, and this might finally be the year I get around to it!

2. Create an outdoor altar

If you have a yard or even just a balcony or porch, creating an outside altar is a great way to give yourself a sacred space in the great outdoors. It can be temporary or permanent, but be sure that whatever materials you use are safe for the environment! You can use things like rocks, flowers, sticks and branches, garden accessories, string, or whatever you might have lying around. This doesn’t have to be anything fancy – it’s just meant to give you a place to take your practice outside and honor the earth.

3. Meditate outside

Whether you have an outdoor altar or not, take your meditation practice outside on Earth Day! Feel the sun on your skin and appreciate the moment. Try to pinpoint how each of the four elements is at play – dirt, dew, the breeze, sunlight, all of these are an expression of the elements.

6 witchy ways to celebrate earth day

4. Go green

Okay, so this is easier said than done, but hear me out. So many of the products we use every day are contributing to the destruction of the planet. It sounds extreme, but between the waste created during their production, the chemicals they release into the atmosphere, and the trash left behind when the container is empty, so many of our household products are anything but harmless! I hope you’re recycling already, but it’s time to take it a step further. Take a look around your house and see what products you don’t mind swapping out for a greener alternative. For me, the first step was laundry detergent and dryer sheets. I swapped them out for some natural detergent and wool dryer balls from Young Living (if you want to order some yourself, just ask! I’m a distributor, I can give you all the deets.) Next on my list to tackle is hand soap and dish soap. Even things like turning the lights off when you leave the room or carpooling to work can help. Little changes don’t take a lot of effort, but they add up in a big way towards reducing your carbon footprint! And if we want this planet to be there for us, we have to be there for her, too.

5. Gather plants and herbs

Wildcrafting is a fun way to gather plants for your own use and learn about your local environment at the same time! Just be sure you’re doing it safely: don’t harvest plants from any areas it’s not allowed or that might have chemicals present, and don’t take so much that you end up damaging the ecosystem. Stay away from roads (exhaust from cars can contaminate the plants) and don’t tresspass! If you don’t want to actually gather the plants, bring a notebook along and sketch what you see instead.

6. Volunteer

Many nature preserves or gardens have volunteer program to help maintain the area, especially on Earth Day. See if there’s something like that where you live and sign yourself up! If there aren’t any formal volunteering programs around you, you can still get out and help the planet. Head to a local park or waterway and pick up whatever trash you find.

 

So those are some easy ways to celebrate Earth Day! I personally am planning on doing 2, 3, and 6 for sure (and maybe more from this list if I end up having time!) I’m also reading Braiding Sweetgrass (affiliate link) which is all about creating a mutually beneficial relationship between humans and nature, the way that Native peoples did before us white folks came along and ruined everything as usual. It’s really good so far and I really recommend it if you want to think a little more about this stuff!

How are you celebrating Earth Day? Doing anything fun? I’d love to hear about it!

- Serena 2 Comments

announcing: practical magick for modern witches, an e-course

practical magick for modern witches

As you may have heard if you subscribe to my newsletter, I’ve joined forces with The Witch of Lupine Hollow to create Practical Magick for Modern Witches! This is a brand new course all about helping modern witches connect with their practice.

When I first discovered witchcraft, I wish I’d had a course like this to help me along. It’s not dogmatic, it’s not a rulebook, and there is zero enforcing of our personal spiritual beliefs. Rather, it’s two modern witches demonstrating some everyday ways to have a spiritual practice without breaking the bank or running away to live in the woods!

Even if you’ve been practicing for a while, this is a great opportunity to see some fresh perspectives and re-energize your spiritual routine. Plus, you’ll have access to ask us questions about anything and everything magickal! (Not that you can’t already do that, I guess, but whatever.)
Practical Magick for Modern Witches is a six-part course with content focusing on:

  • Modern sacred spaces
  • Kitchen magick (with recipes included!)
  • Connecting with nature in an urban setting (like working with crystals and the moon)
  • Practicing spells and magick
  • Modern meanings of the Sabbats
  • Grimoires

Each section features at least three lessons on everything from altars to crystals to gardening (no matter how small your patio or apartment balcony may be), all with a contemporary, urban focus. You’ll also find videos, quizzes and journal prompts to guide you through the course. Both of us have contributed half of the course content so you’ll find the perspectives of two witches with differing but complementary modern practices.

The course officially opens on the New Moon on April 25, 2017 and will be $45.00 for unlimited lifetime access. Sign up NOW and you’ll receive 15% off the cover price – that makes it only $38, but not for long!

I’m so excited to be sharing this project with you at last! Tell your friends and fam and let’s make it a party. We can’t wait to work with our fellow modern witches – see you in class!

- Serena 2 Comments

full moon ritual to release unwanted feelings

full moon ritual to release unwanted feelings

I mentioned in my last post that moon rituals are a part of my spiritual practice, so I thought I’d show you a simple example of what one might look like! This is a ritual I’ve done several times in the past when I wanted to get rid of negative emotions. For a big chunk of last year I was feeling very chaotic and at the mercy of my feelings, and I felt like I had no control over how I felt and why. This ritual was a way for me to take back control and understand these feelings, and then to let them go.

This is a great ritual for if you’re feeling sad or angry and you don’t know why, or if you’re dealing with emotions such as jealousy or bitterness that you know are only eating you up inside. This ritual has four steps meant to guide you through the entire process of releasing your unwanted feelings, and each can be modified slightly depending on your own practice and what you have available. Let’s jump in!

You will need:

  • Method of cleansing (sage, a spray, etc.)
  • White tea light candle
  • Paper and a writing utensil
  • A quiet place to sit
  • Glass of salt water

full moon ritual to release unwanted feelings

1. Cleanse.

I don’t always think cleansing is necessary before you start a ritual – who has time for that? However, it IS important for this one. We want to come to the ritual with as open and unbiased a mind as possible. This is a no-judgement zone, and in order to be able to face your emotions truthfully you can’t be coming in with a bias or strong negative feelings.

Start with yourself: cleanse your aura using sage smoke, a cleansing spray, or by taking an Epsom salt bath. Then cleanse the area you’ll be working in. It’s okay if you’re still feeling the emotions you want to release, but the idea is to disrupt the cycle of negative thoughts long enough for you to be able to think rationally about why you feel this way.

2. Reflect.

Light a white tea light candle and set it somewhere near you (but not so near that it’s a fire hazard!) I like to put mine on the windowsill or incorporate it into my altar space. We’re going to let the candle burn until it burns itself out, so be sure you put it somewhere you won’t be disturbed.

Sit down with the paper and writing utensil and focus on the unwanted emotions. When did they start? What do you think the cause is? Whatever thoughts come to mind, write ALL of them down, no matter how silly or bitter they sound. Meditate in this portion if you think it will help. Remember, we’re not here to judge ourselves: it’s okay to feel whatever it is you’re feeling in this moment, even if those feelings aren’t pretty.

Once you think you’ve gotten to the bottom of it, go even deeper. Often our emotions are a reaction to some deep problem we have that we might not even be aware of. We might be really angry at a friend for blowing us off, but that’s only because deep down we have a fear that they don’t really care about us. That deep, internal truth is what we want to get to.

full moon ritual to release unwanted feelings

3. Release.

Now that we understand the true cause of this emotion, it’s time to let it go. Fold up the paper you’re written on and completely submerge it in the salt water. As the water soaks through the paper, feel the salt purifying the deep, unwanted feelings within you. Place the glass next to your candle and observe the smoke rising from the flame. Envision your emotions rising with the smoke, being gently carried away.

The candle will burn itself out. Leave the glass of water out somewhere near a window overnight so it can be cleansed by the light of the full moon. In the morning, discard the water and the paper and remove them from your property (basically, dump the water down the drain and toss the paper in the trash.)

4. Transform.

It’s unfortunately not enough to just will our emotions away: we have to do something about them. The good news is that now that you understand where these feelings came from, you’re no longer at their mercy. You have the power to change your situation!

This last step requires that you take an action towards letting go. This action will vary depending on the nature of your emotion. If you’ve had a falling out with another person, take a step towards repairing this relationship. If the issue is entirely internal, you might want to do a tarot reading to help build yourself a game plan. If the problem is that you’re unhappy with an aspect of your own life, think about some ways you can change it. No matter how hopeless a situation may feel at the time, you are never stuck. There’s always something you can do, even something small, to change it.

And that’s my go-to full moon ritual for releasing unwanted emotions! I hope you find it useful (but I also hope you don’t have to use it as often as I did last year… I was a mess.)

How are you celebrating this full moon? Let me know in the comments! <3

- Serena 2 Comments

spiritual snapshot: my current practice

spiritual snapshot: my current practice

I mentioned a few posts back that I’ve been going through a bit of a spiritual crisis lately. I guess “crisis” is kind of a strong word considering things are pretty okay for the most part, but I definitely felt disconnected from my current practice and it was time to try something new. I’ve been making some changes in my routine for a month or so now and I know a lot of you guys were struggling with similar issues, so I thought I’d talk a little bit about what I’ve been doing and how it’s been working for me!

1. Reading

I’ve been making an effort to read something spiritual EVERY DAY, even if it’s just a few pages. This sounds like it wouldn’t be so hard considering I have an hour lunch break every day at work, but I ALWAYS end up falling asleep in my car instead. ALWAYS. The car nap struggle is real. I’ve been trying to at least read a few pages and make progress on some spiritual books I’ve been enjoying before passing out for all my coworkers to see.

Some things I’ve been reading:

  • Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham: I picked up this book because while Wicca has never really felt right for me, I wanted to learn more about it. I love Wicca’s emphasis on connection with nature and wanted to incorporate more of that into my own spirituality. To my surprise. I’m LOVNG this book! It’s very informative without feeling like a lecture, and Cunningham makes it a point to say that he’s just sharing some of the options that are out there: it’s up to everyone to determine what their own practice looks like. I do feel like I struggle with a literal interpretation of the God and Goddess… I feel like the gender binary is a little unnecessary when talking about spiritual beings and also like maybe I believe more in a metaphorical interpretation – like all of us have the Divine in us, not necessarily that there are two great beings out there calling the shots. Anyone else have thoughts on alternate interpretations of the God and Goddess? I’d love to chat about this!
  • Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler: This is an old fave of mine that I’m returning to. I think it does a great job of debunking some of the common myths and misconceptions about witchcraft while still being a book for our people. A must-read for anyone new to the Craft or who is interested in learning more about it!
  • Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer: I mentioned that I wanted to deepen my connection to the earth, and this book is a gorgeous portrayal of the human-nature relationship. I’m not very far into it yet, but so far it’s giving me hope that humans and nature can have a mutually beneficial relationship someday (if we cut all our poisonous crap, that is.)

spiritual snapshot: my current practice

2. Unplugging

This is really hard for me lately but I feel like that’s why I need to do it. It’s so hard to feel connected to ANYTHING when I’m staring at a screen all day. It’s all for work, so it’s not just mindless Internet browsing, but still. I’ve been taking time every day to unplug, even just for a little while – to wash the dishes, to read, to take a bath without any technology involved. This helps me get grounded and gives me time to reflect.

3. Talking to the Universe

The word “prayer” leaves a bad taste in my mouth due to my own personal experience with organized religion, but I guess that’s sort of what I’m talking about. Usually when I’m in the car, I take some time to talk out loud to the powers that be. I feel like I’m addressing my spirit guides, but I don’t know who they are or anything about them so it’s sort of just an out-loud chat with whatever’s listening. I express my gratitude for the things that I have and ask for help wherever I need it. It feels good to make those things known, and I’ve honestly noticed that whenever I ask for help, I get it. Make of that what you will!

spiritual snapshot: my current practice

4. Eco-Consciousness

This one has been hard for me. Part of deepening my connection with nature has been accepting the part I play in her destruction. Of course I recycle, but being eco-friendly was never really a goal of my household growing up. We never really thought about the impact things like our cleaning products and trash had on the environment. Now that I have my own household to care for, I downloaded the Think Dirty app and was GROSSED. OUT. to see the kinds of toxic chemicals that are in things I took for granted before, like window cleaner and dryer sheets.

These things don’t just end up in my system, but when the packaging ends up in landfills and the chemicals get into the air, it hurts the environment, too. It’s scary and hard to think about overhauling the things we buy and use, but even taking one step is doing something.

This was one of the many reasons I signed up with Young Living – they don’t just do essential oils, they have a WHOLE LINE of natural cleaning supplies. Basic things like dish soap and laundry detergent that you probably don’t think twice about using, but natural, harm-free versions. Last month I ordered their wool dryer balls (because did you know that dryer sheets contain LARD? Ew!!) and this month I’m ordering their laundry detergent, all-purpose cleaner, and dish soap. It’s not much, but it’s something. I’m looking forward to learning more about what I can do to help the environment and use more natural products in my everyday life!

I made a whole page about essential oils if you’d like to learn more <3

If you’re interested in Young Living, you can buy a Premium Starter Kit through my link! You’ll get access to Facebook groups full of resources to help you use these products AND I’ll send you a copy of French Aromatherapy for free <3 As always, if you have any questions about Young Living or essential oils you can ask me any time!

5. Tarot

Tarot is still a huge part of my spiritual practice! I read for others, yes, but I read for myself as well. Most recently I used the cards to work through a difficult career decision, but I also like to use them to choose an intention to focus on for the day. Tarot is great for journaling – it helps you get to the heart of a situation and to better understand yourself. My favorite deck of the moment is the Pagan Otherworlds tarot – it’s gorgeous!

Side note: do you guys have any questions about tarot that you’d like a blog post about? I’m trying to brainstorm but I can’t think of many things that haven’t already been written to death! Let me know in the comments if there’s something you’d like to see 😀

spiritual snapshot: my current practice

6. Moon Rituals

To be honest, my rituals are suuuuper simple right now. This is an area I’d like to work on, but I’m currently swamped with projects and don’t have much time for a big, detailed ritual. It’s okay to have quiet rituals, too! Mine currently involve lighting candles and some incense and sitting with them for a while, focusing on my intention for the moon cycle. Then, before the candle an incense burn out, I like to take an action. If I’m trying to manifest a new job opportunity, for example, I’ll fill out an application, or if I want to let go of past emotions I’ll get rid of something that reminds me of them. By pairing your intention with an action in the hear of the moment, it signals that you’re serious and willing to do the work!

And that’s about it for right now! I might post an updated update in a few months after I’m done with my day job and have time for a steadier routine <3

What are some spiritual things you’re doing lately? Books you’re loving? Tarot decks I need? I’d love to hear!!

- Serena 2 Comments

march favorites: essential oils, new books, and more!

march favorites: essential oils, new books, and more!

HOW is it already April? I don’t even know where March went, you guys. What did I even do?? It was a blur. The good news is I’ve been loving a ton of stuff this month, so there are a lot of faves!

This month was for settling into our new Wisconsin home, making big plans, and… putting in my notice at my day job! I’ll probably be doing a post soon on how and why I decided to quit, since I’ve never been one of those “quit your day job” people, but for now I’m tying up loose ends and preparing for my new full-time freelance life. If you need a freelance writer/editor or tarot reader, I’m your gal 😉

As always, affiliate links are marked with a *. (That just means that if you purchase the item, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.) Without further ado, here are some things I’ve been loving this month!

march favorites: essential oils, new books, and more!

Websites I’m Reading

Author Mark Pannebecker is working on a really cool project – 21 novellas, each one based on the Major Arcana of the tarot! The Magician involves motorcycles and mischief – perfect for fans of Sons of Anarchy. Check it out!

Foxs Lane is a blog that’s basically about my dream life – a family of organic farmers growing their own crops and tending the land. Love!

Decks I’m Using

The Pagan Otherworlds tarot arrived this month and I am in LOVE. Smitten. Hardcore crushin’. Check this one out, you guys.

The Ostara Tarot* is being re-released this month! I’m SO excited. I’ve been admiring pictures of this deck forEVER and soon it will be mine!!

Zoe, the creator of one of my all-time faves the Sacred Wild oracle, has created a second oracle deck! The Sacred Soul Searching oracle is available now. Goooo get it! Mine is in the mail!

Books I’m Loving (I talked about these on my Instagram stories a while back, are we friends there? <3) 

This month I’ve been reading Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner* by Scott Cunningham. I’m sort of in a spiritual revamp at the moment and I wanted to learn a little more about Wicca to expand my horizons. I know EVERYONE has already read this book, but I’m really enjoying it – it’s way more flexible than I expected!

I’m also reading Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants*. So far it’s a lovely book about humans’ relationship with the earth, what it can teach us, and our responsibility to care for it.

The Essential Oil Truth Second Edition: the Facts Without the Hype* is an amazing book about how essential oils are made and how they work. I learned so much about the process and what to look for in a brand!

march favorites: essential oils, new books, and more!

Pretty Etsy Finds

I ADORE everything in this shop. I purchased one of her moonstone necklaces and it’s so gorgeous and high-quality. Highly recommend!

Labradorite is my crystal crush this month. Loving these wands!

Other Miscellaneous Faves

As you may know from my Instagram, this month I signed up to be a Young Living distributor! <3 I love these oils and I’m so excited to be getting more involved with the company. I’ll do a blog post soon on why I chose Young Living, but in the meantime if you want any oils, I’m you gal! If you order the Premium Starter Kit (a hella good deal, it’s only $160 for SO much stuff) through my link here, I’ll be your sponsor and will be here to help you with any questions you have at any time.

I’ll also send you a copy of French Aromatherapy* and a bottle of the Grounding blend (my fave) as a thank-you! If you’re interested in the business side of Young Living, I can also give you access to several Facebook groups that are packed with resources on how to go about it. Basically it’s a big party and you’re invited!!

Anyway, I’m off to Milwaukee for the night to eat some cheese and drink some local beerz. I hope you’re having an amazing weekend full of delicious foods and things you like! <3

- Serena 12 Comments

career counselor: a tarot spread for job advice

career counselor: a tarot spread for job advice

Happy Friday! Am I the only one who feels like they have a career crisis every week or so? I think part of it is that I’m very ill-suited to an office setting to begin with, so every minor thing that happens makes me rethink my whole life. Or maybe I’m just bitter that I never pursued my childhood dream of being a ballerina truck driver. (I mean, I AM a little bitter.)

Anyway, jobs are one of those things where I feel like deep down, I know what the right answer is, but I can’t access it due to all the crap going on in my brain. It’s like, do I do what I want even though rent is due and I will be homeless? Do I stay stuck in a corporate job forever because it pays the bills? Is there something in between? What else would I even WANT to do?

So, like any witch would do, I turned to the tarot during my most recent crisis! I came up with this spread to help me figure out what my next step should be. And… I did figure it out. Stay tuned 😉

The cool thing about this spread is that you can pretty much draw as many cards as you want for each position, but especially 1 and 2. It might help to have a bunch of qualities and interests to choose from – this will give you more options!

Obviously the cards aren’t necessarily going to be like “be a veterinarian!” but I’ve found that getting clear on what I love to do and what I’m good at helped me brainstorm a bunch of potential jobs. I hope it works for you, too!

If you end up using this spread, let me know how it went! I’d love to hear what your job-related revelations are <3 What is your dream career? Tell me all about it in the comments!!