You don't have to do it all alone
A river story + event reminders.
This past weekend I went camping with some friends and I remembered some things I wanted to share with you about witchcraft.
First off… you don’t have to do it all alone. The water taught me this.
We were camping in Sequoia National Park. Sweltering heat warped my bottle of Florida Water and melted off the label. It made my friends and I groggy and irritable. The dogs kept digging holes to try and find a cooler places to lay down.
And then we went to the river.
The water infused its magic into us as we stepped into currents still icy from snow melt.
We waded in and hugged the great grandmother boulders at the center of the water, laying our cheeks on their gritty flanks. The scent of their warm and ancient skin reminded us to be patient. “With time,” they told us, “all would be well.”
The river changed everything. It brightened our spirits and helped us relax. It energized us. It brought us closer together.
The river’s power was not an idea. The river didn’t heal us in theory.
(Michelle and Ouida reveling like nymphs in the glory of the river).
The blessing the water gave us was immediate, material. She changed us just by welcoming us into her currents. We entered her grouchy and stepped out joyful.
Water has the power to bless. Water changes us. She brings us life.
Elements hold such immense power and a lot of the time in witchcraft – because we live in a culture that prioritizes mind over matter – we forget that elemental power is literal.
Water has the power to restore us. To nourish and heal us.
We don’t have to make her do that, she has the power to do that on her own.
Fire, air, earth, and water. When working with the elemental powers in witchcraft, remember that you don’t have to make them do things.
You don’t have to heal yourself on your own. The elements are medicine. They heal us because it is their nature to do so. We should let them help us.
But, of course, we have to treat the elements with respect. The power of the elements is literal: rivers can dry up, they can drown us, they can overflow and flood.
Anything with power can create and destroy.
Anyway, I have lots more to say on this, because I believe working with and understanding the elements is fundamental to witchcraft.
(We talked about this a lot at my recent 3-day retreat, Witchcraft 1: Bright Life Forces. I have lots more to share with you about this in the future!)
But in the meantime, remember, you don’t have to transform your life by yourself. You don’t have to heal by yourself. You are not alone.
You have big and powerful allies. Mountains, starlight, rivers, wind. And, of course, all witches are related to the moon.
You are friends with powerful forces who want to work in harmony with you.
Sending elemental magic your way in the meantime. And don’t forget to have a look at the offerings below, we’ve got some fun things coming up.
Love,
Amanda
Upcoming Offerings
Thursday, 7/11/24, 6pm PT: Language of the Birds Reading Group. We’ll be reading the Introduction (plus the first two chapters, if you have time) of The Care Manifesto by the Care Collective, in honor of Cancer season. The Care Manifesto puts forth a vision for a truly caring world. Hope you can join us!
Now Available for Pre-Order. I’ve got an essay in this fantastic new upcoming anthology edited by Casey Zebala of the Modern Witches Festival. Featuring a “Who’s Who” of voices from the contemporary witchcraft community, A Confluence of Witches is an invitation to practicing witches, and those newly drawn to the craft, to explore the authentic intersections of magic, spirituality, personal development, and social justice. Grab your copy here.
Join me in Salem August 14th-18th for the Salem Witch Fest. I’ll be giving a lecture on The Guardians (of Space and Time). Salem Witch Fest is a curated event with a focus on community building, promoting magical education, preserving and sharing folklore, supporting and engaging in activism, and highlighting and promoting small businesses, artisans, and folklorists. Get your tickets for the online or in-person events here.