This is based on Chapter 1’s exercises in Thorn Mooney’s The Witches Path.
Air
Are you a witch?
I have a hard time saying yes, but I also don’t think no is the correct answer. Aspiring witch? Baby witch (even though I’ve been at this for almost 30 years)? I feel more comfortable with the title Kemetic as I have been drawn to Egyptian dieties, and I see in the community that people are comfortable saying Kemetic witch, which I like, it feels good. It might have something to do with how everyone has an idea of what a witch is, even if it’s rooted in TV tropes or religious propaganda. But most people haven’t heard of Kemeticism, it gives me an opportunity to dig into my answer, give a person a whole new facet of witchcraft to understand.
How do you know?
I… don’t? I suppose part of my stagnation is a lack of belief in myself.
What makes someone a witch?
I want to say it is enough to say that you are a witch, that makes you a witch. But I think about people claiming the identity without actually having any witchy beliefs or practices, and that rubs me the wrong way. I do have a small issue with gatekeeping, who am I to say who is or isn’t. But if I make all these steps and read all these books and learn to incorporate practice… and I still have a hard time calling myself a witch… I suppose it is Envy or Shame, or Fear that is keeping me from really accepting myself and letting myself be the person I think I am.
Where does your understanding of what a witch is come from?
I believe being a witch comes from the divine feminine. That’s not to say men and NB folks can’t tap into their own divinity, I’m just talking about me. I believe matriarchal connections (can) lead me to the root of my family’s power, knowledge and wisdom. I don’t think it is a coincidence that my fractured family history mirrors my fractured identity. Colonialism really took a toll on our family, disconnecting us from our ancestors, and I believe, making it harder to connect to our power. I envy those with a strong family history of a witchy practice.
Have you ever met or heard of someone who claimed to be a witch but who didn’t meet this definition? What was their reasoning?
I don’t think I’ve met someone like that. All the self-identified witches I know are still seeking. And who am I to judge someone’s path when I’m still out here beating my own path into submission with a metaphorical dull machete.
Fire
What do you do, or not do, because you’re afraid of being judged, afraid of failing, or afraid of getting hurt?
A non-exhaustive list:
- call myself a witch (for fear of judgment)
- commit to practice (for fear of failure)
- start daily prayer (for fear of commitment)
- perform ritual (for fear of looking foolish)
- share this part of myself, even with other witches (for fear that I’m doing things “wrong”)
- talking about my beliefs (for fear of judgment/persecution)
Do something small that scares you. Find daily fears and act contrary to them.
Water
Do you remember what it was that made you first want to be a witch?
The idea of a woman being so powerful. I could not imagine a woman who was not a witch as being powerful (thanks, patriarchy). I wanted access to the power I felt within me. I wanted connection to something bigger than myself. I wanted a community of powerful people.
What kinds of things occupied your interest?
My first coven mostly did rituals. The intentionality, coming together as a group, having a role to fill, and the power that we felt when we were together kept me going. As a solitary witch my main interest is in energy. How to hold it, transfer it, offer it, claim it. Energy and power feel synonymous to me.
Are you still doing them?
I am lacking in the group ritual aspect - though I am finally working with people again, our group has not come together to perform a ritual, but practice solitary magic together.
I still practice energy work - or more accurately I have developed my energy practice. I just need to be more open and assertive.
Are there things you used to do that you somehow have lost?
I don’t think my practice ever really made it past “burgeoning”, so I don’t feel like I’ve lost anything.
Choose one thing and reincorporate it into your practice.
I want to do more spellwork. Either writing my own or performing others’.
Is it still important to you? If not, what have you replaced it with?
(To be revisited in a month)
Earth
Think of those things that fall within or even slightly outside your personal definition of Witchcraft that you haven’t tried seriously (or at all) because they’re off-putting. Choose one or two things to try, approaching them with beginner’s mind.
I am honestly not sure where to start with this. Going back to the Air exercise I think I need to just do something. I genuinely believe that my own stubbornness and aversion to feeling foolish is what is hurting my craft the most. Get over my shit. Do some things. See what feels right, and where to put in the effort.
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