I recently discovered that there is a pagan magical practitioner living close to me. This came as quite a surprise, as I had never met anyone who identified as pagan before. One day, while attending a community event, I struck up a conversation with a friendly woman who seemed to have a unique energy about her. As we talked, she mentioned that she practiced paganism and followed the Wiccan tradition. I was intrigued and wanted to learn more. Over the course of our conversation, she shared with me some of the beliefs and practices of paganism.
For Spring and Summer – I love to combine Vanilla Extract, Mint, and Lime.
There is an old trick that real estate agents use to lure buyers to a house, by simply baking apples with cinnamon on them and a dash of vanilla extract in the oven. And six of us randomly gathered sleeping on the floor in blankets and sleeping bags, and tucked around the fire for the very first weekend of the house.
Over the course of our conversation, she shared with me some of the beliefs and practices of paganism. She explained that pagans believe in the interconnectedness of all things and have a deep reverence for nature. They often engage in rituals and ceremonies to honor the cycles of the seasons and the divine forces at work in the world.
Magic Monday: Curious and Curiouser
The ground keeps pieces of my old house, and every once in awhile, now that it’s Spring and the ground is thawing, it will push tiny memories up to the surface.
There was the number six on its face.
And six of us randomly gathered – sleeping on the floor in blankets and sleeping bags, and tucked around the fire – for the very first weekend of the house.
Six utensils in a free apple pie. Always delicious.
The house introduced its personality to me this weekend. From the outside, I had thought it looked like a temple, and I thought of serene and magic names to call it, but once inside, once sleeping within its walls for a few days – I’ve learned that it has a wild, dirty heart.
Every house is its own entity, has its own personality. Every room, every space – unfolds with a different story.
I should have known that a house built from Burke’s fantastic imagination, a house built through the teamwork of wild artists and wanderers – would have the untamed personality that it does.
It lured me into staying up until near dawn again and again as the full moon poured through the house’s 56 irregular and mismatched windows.
Its smooth bare floors implored dancing, and crawling, and cuddle piles in blankets.
Its sensual crescent moon curve around a warm fire urged stories, confessions and truth or dare.
Its 47 feet tall walls demanded to be filled with the sound of our teenage music and nothing else would suffice.
Me. Blindfolded. Playing high school games with my friends.
Over a candle lit dinner next to a river, three weeks ago, Burke and I played a game going back and forth to try and come up with names for the house. The third one he suggested made me gasp…..
Definition: A curious or unusual object or piece of art. Something fascinating or unusual.
I fell in love with the sound of it. And served back to him….
Definition: A curious and unusual collection of rarities or oddities. A fascinating piece of art, quite possibly dealing with erotica.
And now, as I sit in the house, curled in the only chair – a pink velvet Victorian, my bare feet on its honeyed smooth wood floor, the morning sun moving like waterfalls through the windows….there is no denying the sensual nature of this space.
So. Perhaps it now has it name. We shall see.
And like I promised last week, now I will whisper ways of “clearing” your space. But the house begged for my fingertips to type out a love letter to it on these white keys first, so thank you for indulging us.
House Clearing: There’s many things that have been told again and again in books, like saging and sweetgrass and information that you can find anywhere, so those things won’t be here. I like to give you things that I’ve connected to, and different things I’ve learned from my family and can pass onto you.
The two most effective things I’ve used for clearing are: The Bells and The Brew.
Right after our first kiss at our wedding, my Grandma Helen’s bells are to the right of us.
Bells – My Grandma Helen had a circular ring of bells that were on a crank and when they rang they cleared the air. There is something about the magic of sound. On my wedding day, I used those very same bells of hers to open the ceremony, clear the air and call the spirits of our ancestors into our circle. I sleep under a string of bells that my toes like to swat to create a soft tinkling of sound as I’m getting out of bed.
One of the oldest traditions of our family, is to give the gift of bells for a housewarming. There is much to be said about the magic of bell song, and the silence immediately following it.
Whether you are just moving into a space or have been there for years, the addition of a bell will work wonders.
The Brew – Both my Grandma Irene and Grandma Helen have done this and so has my Mom, Susie Lee. The magic of a simmering pot of water on a stove filled with delicious smelling herbs or spices to fill the air with a pleasant natural scent.
It has been scientifically proven again and again that our sense of smell is one of our most triggering scents, and it has the ability to set our mood. There is an old trick that real estate agents use to lure buyers to a house, by simply baking apples with cinnamon on them and a dash of vanilla extract in the oven. The scent makes the buyer feel “at home” and they are more likely to be influenced by the smell than by what they see.
These are my two favorite brews:
For Spring and Summer – I love to combine Vanilla Extract, Mint, and Lime.
For Fall and Winter – I love to mix whole Cinnamon Sticks, Orange and Clove.
Just simmer a pot of water on the stove on low and slice up the fruit, add the extracts and put the spices in. Not only does it smell delicious, but it looks pretty, too.
Enjoy clearing your space with sound and scent. It’s my favorite way.
If you’re in New York City this Friday, and you want to learn some saucy magic side-by-side with me…. I highly recommend grabbing one of the last 4 tickets to this class.
Now, tell me your clearing techniques. What do you do to make your space – yours? Or tell me about the personalities of your space. Attach pictures. I’m very visual. And greedy….and well….curious to know.
Curled up in sunshine in Curiosa, waiting for your reply……
She also mentioned that she is a magical practitioner, meaning she uses spells, charms, and rituals to effect change in her life and the lives of others. This piqued my curiosity even further, as magic is something I had always associated with fictional stories and fairy tales. I asked her how she became interested in paganism and magic, and she told me that it was a deeply personal journey. She had always felt a connection to the natural world and a longing for something more spiritual. Through exploration and self-discovery, she found her path in paganism and has been practicing for several years now. What struck me most about her was the genuine joy and peace that seemed to radiate from her. She exuded a sense of calm and centeredness that I found incredibly inspiring. She told me that her practice of paganism and magic had helped her find balance in her life and cultivate a deeper sense of self-awareness. Since meeting her, I have become more curious about paganism and have started to explore it on my own. While I am still at the beginning of my journey, I can already see the potential for personal growth and spiritual fulfillment that this path offers. Meeting this pagan magical practitioner has truly opened my eyes to a world of spirituality and practices that I had previously been unaware of. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from her and look forward to continuing my exploration of paganism and magic..
Reviews for "Embracing the Teachings of Pagan Magical Practitioners in My Community"
- John - 1 star
I had a terrible experience with the so-called "Pagan magical practitioner close to me". I was very skeptical about their abilities to begin with, but decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a complete waste of my time and money. The practitioner seemed clueless and didn't have any real knowledge about paganism or magic. It felt like a scam, and I deeply regret seeking their help. I would strongly advise against anyone putting their trust in this individual.
- Sarah - 2 stars
I found the "Pagan magical practitioner close to me" to be quite disappointing. I was hoping to find someone who could guide me in my spiritual journey and help me tap into the ancient and mystical powers of paganism. However, this practitioner lacked depth and seemed more interested in selling me various products and services. I was seeking genuine wisdom and guidance, but instead, I felt like I was being taken advantage of for financial gain. It is disheartening to encounter individuals who claim to be knowledgeable in a certain field but fail to deliver the promised expertise.
- David - 1 star
My experience with the "Pagan magical practitioner close to me" was highly unsatisfactory. I expected to meet someone who was well-versed in paganism and could help me navigate its complexities. Unfortunately, what I got was a practitioner who lacked any significant understanding of the subject matter. They seemed more interested in peddling pseudoscience and making outrageous claims than providing genuine guidance. I would warn others to steer clear of this practitioner if they are looking for authentic pagan knowledge and wisdom.
- Linda - 2 stars
I was quite disappointed with my session with the "Pagan magical practitioner close to me". I was seeking someone who could help me connect with the spiritual realm and explore the mysteries of paganism. However, the practitioner seemed more interested in pushing their own agenda and personal beliefs rather than focusing on my needs. I felt like my questions were not fully answered, and I left the session feeling more confused than when I arrived. If you are genuinely seeking guidance and knowledge about paganism, I would recommend looking elsewhere.