I have always been drawn to the esoteric and the spiritual—the unconventional, auspicious, and magical threads that weave through life. In my younger years, I was drawn to things like the fae, tarot cards, magic spells, and exploring small patches of woods in my neighborhood. Somewhere in my late teens and early 20s, I shut it all off. I focused on being “normal” and dismissed my earlier “childish” interests so I would fit in with the crowd. In doing so, I locked away my belief in magic and with it, any chance of true spiritual connection. I assimilated to the patriarchal, soul-repressing societal march. I wanted others to accept me even if it meant stepping out of my power and into an ill-fitting costume, betraying who I really was.
When I discovered yoga, it seemed I found a small piece of magic for myself again. I set off down the mystic’s path, and a few years later, an Ayurveda training unexpectedly carried me to the path of the witch. It was the emphasis on the seasons that answered my call, like a river winding back to its source. These paths have been braided together into one for me, but the reclaiming of the word witch is a powerful distinction to make– it is a taking back of one's own power.
an Ayurveda training unexpectedly carried me to the path of the witch. It was the emphasis on the seasons that answered my call, like a river winding back to its source.
Through Ayurveda, I discovered ritucharya and dinacharya (seasonal and daily rituals) and began to understand how the elements—earth, fire, water, air, and ether—play a significant role in our bodies and lives. This understanding deepened my appreciation for the cyclical nature of existence and naturally led me to explore the wheel of the year and its connections to pagan beliefs and witchcraft. These ancient practices felt like clues leading me though a scavenger hunt back to myself.
Not long after that, I leaned into the pull of my heart and went to Norway for a teacher training that merged the mystical arts, seasonal yoga and the priestess path. What had begun as a slow trickle of curiosity opened up to a waterfall. It was there that I really learned to sync with divine feminine wisdom. Every morning, we woke before the sun and sat in a circle silently, lighting our candles, pulling a tarot card and meditating on it. We sang, we chanted, we dug deep into the symbolism of the world around us and learned to listen to our intuition. It initiated a change within me that was irreversible.
I learned to honor the ebb and flow of my own rhythms, aligning my practice with the energy around me. Embracing the seasonal shifts and the lunar cycles taught me to give myself grace. I realized that the ps and downs of my emotions and the highs and lows of my life were only natural, in sync with our great Mother, the Earth. There was nothing inherently wrong with me. (read: there's nothing wrong with you, if you doubt this about yourself)
This alignment brought clarity not just to my personal practice but also the way I want to show up as a teacher. In the years I was teaching yoga in the studios, my body felt strong, but my spirit was malnourished. Something important was missing. I craved more than chaturanga and handstands—I longed for a practice that embraced the dance of the seasons, the cycles of the moon, and the parts of ourselves asking to be remembered.
I craved more than chaturanga and handstands—I longed for a practice that embraced the dance of the seasons, the cycles of the moon, and the parts of ourselves asking to be remembered.
I shifted my approach to yoga—and to life—to a path of less resistance. I stopped forcing myself into shapes and began to flow with the currents of life. I chose to practice in a way that felt more intuitive and sustainable. Rather than just an exercise routine to check off the list– each practice became a spell, each breath an invocation—a way to weave magic back into the fabric of my everyday life.
The return to magic is about getting back to a childlike sense of wonder, enchantment, and deeper connection with the world around us. We do this by embracing practices, beliefs, or perspectives that bring a sense of mystery, intuition, and spirituality into everyday life—like reconnecting with nature, honoring ancient wisdom, or integrating rituals and mindfulness practices. By rediscovering the sacredness in ordinary moments, we allow space for curiosity, imagination, and a belief in things beyond the purely rational or scientific.
If you feel like a lost soul, a black sheep, or a spiritual wanderer who is seeking a way back to yourself, know that you are not alone. There is magic out there, waiting to be uncovered. Keep following the breadcrumbs.
_______________________
P.S. I’ve got something really special in the works that I can't wait to share with you! If you'd like to stay in the loop about upcoming offers and updates, sign up for my email list!
Comments