We know what you’re thinking… Witchcraft? Really? At its most extreme, the new witchcraft trend is about casting spells, but it’s also about self-love, self-care, positivity and wellbeing. Elif Mazi mines some of its steal-able secrets
Though witchcraft has been around for a centuries, more and more witches are coming out of the broom closet, so to speak or taking a look at their reflections through crystal balls to understand themselves better. What makes this trend so powerful and why is it suddenly becoming so popular?
Firstly, we’re not talking American Horror Story-style levitating chairs or pointy hats (well, if you really want a pointy hat you can have one).
It goes beyond that. Today’s witchcraft trend focuses on meditation, self care and spreading kindness.
One of the most popular types of modern witchcraft is known as Wicca.
Phyllis Curott – writer and Wiccan priestess and shamanic practitioner (who is also an attorney, as it happens) – explains what Wicca is all about:
* attune your body, mind and spirit to nature’s rhythms to create a life of harmony, peace and fulfillment
* enter spirit realms and work with spirit guides, power animals and spirits of place for guidance and healing
* cast gorgeous spells and create sacred spaces and altars to nourish your soul
* practice empowering lunar and Sabbat rites to experience divine communion
* embody your spirit, empower your purpose and manifest your gifts
Might sound a bit out there but you might agree, there is an under-current of self-care, ritual and plain old fashioned wonder that intrigued us about the new witchcraft trend.
Here are five ways you can add a touch of magic into your life to help you feel better from the brilliant new book Wicca, from Harmony Nice.
Nice is a witch with a massive YouTube following (over 450K subscribers – trust us, this trend is big) who has a fantastic back story – she overcame self-harm, anxiety and dissociation through practicing this new breed of witchcraft.
1. Practice the law of 3
‘Whatever energy you put out into the earth, you will get back three times over’, says Harmony Nice . This mantra is essentially what Wicca is all about.
That’s basically an encouragement or reminder, if you will to think about your actions before you do them. What consequences will occur if you send that angry email? How great will you feel if you volunteer at your kids’ school event? Thinking before you act will help you become more mindful. I mean, who wouldn’t want to do a good deed and recieve something three times better? Sounds mythical, but it kind of makes sense.
This law also urges a lot of witches to continue to do good deeds and put out more positive energy into the world, instead of being negative all the time. We know Karma’s a bitch, but the law of three is probably a bigger one.
2. Create an altar
Sounds crazy, we know, especially if you don’t believe in God. But it doesn’t have to be. An altar is basically a surface – however big or small you like – where you can place some objects that are significant to you.
Nice says that ‘an altar is great for focusing your thoughts, especially during practices.’ It works really well whether you’re a witch or not.
Because this type of witchcraft truly promotes self-love and growth, an altar in necessary. The same way it’s important to have your own room or office where only you utilise – your altar will be a personal space only for you that other people can’t come into.
Got a small table or shelf you never use? Well, now’s the time to start. On this surface you can add anything and everything that represents you.
Adding a happy photo with a motivational quote from your favourite author is a good idea. Or, you can place some candles and ribbons that will make your altar look pretty. The goal is to have a space for you, where you feel calm and comfortable, so you can feel at peace when you’re there.
As you will read below, crystals are a wonderful addition to add to your altar. This is a space where you can meditate and self-reflect whenever you need to.
3. Collect crystals
Whether you want to wear them as jewellery or place them around your home for gorgeous decoration, crystals can aid in helping you feel better. Not only can they boost your confidence if you wear them as accessories, but it is believed by many people – not just witches – that they hold special properties and powers within them.
Google searches for “crystal healing” in the last four years have shot up by 40 per cent, driven by the spirituality trend.
Crystals and witchcraft go well together because crystals have their own energies and powers. If you can channel energies from them – as you will see if you read on – then you can take your witchiness to a whole new level.
Nice says ‘having crystals throughout your home and carrying crystals around with you can affect your moods in different ways can also help with spiritual, mental and physical healing’.
Here is a short list of the most popular crystals that are in trend right now:
- Turquoise – used for healing, protection, good luck
- Amethyst – has calming properties, aids in sleep, and physical and emotional healing
- Clear quartz – helps with health, healing, clarity
- Citrine – amazing for concentration, positivity, success
You can buy some gorgeous crystals here and not only bedazzle your surroundings but also your wellbeing.
4. Meditate with objects
This can be used alongside your altar. In her book, Nice claims that ‘it’s always important to bear in mind that when you are feeling highly emotional or just not okay, it’s fine to take time for yourself.’
Whether you’re into witchcraft or not, meditation and self-reflection is always a good idea. By bringing a few minutes of peace into your day, you may reach a calmer and more positive perspective in your life.
There are many types of meditation, but object meditation is one that we can all do whenever and wherever we are. So how do we do this?
Take a crystal or an object that is personal to you. If you’re struggling to let go of someone, or are in need of some answers, this particular meditation is perfect. Hold onto the object – or perhaps you can even just visualise it if you can’t hold it. Truly visualise what is is you desire. If you don’t know what it is you want, ask to find the answers through the object you’re holding. By focusing on the energy emitting through your body, channeling it into the object you’re holding, and truly focusing on what you want, you can meditate with objects. The whole goal is ‘becoming one’ with the object.
There are so many forms of meditation, so it’s great if you can try a few and see which one you prefer. Here is a tutorial on different types of meditations that you can try by Harmony Nice herself:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBKsTM65aSw
5. Find your coven
Now that really sounds bizarre doesn’t it? Well, it doesn’t have to be. Your coven, doesn’t have to be all witches, it can be your own tribe, where everyone is on the same page as everyone else – all practicing such tips as these to help yourselves and spread kindness. It’s as simple as finding your support system.
But just in case you’re interested in exploring witchcraft further and finding yourself a real coven, there are several types of Wicca such as Faery Wicca, Green Wicca and Draconic Wicca.
Ariel Willow on YouTube says that Faery Wicca is the belief that fairies, gnomes and other such creatures exist in the same world as us. Just imagine a world where everything in disney is actually real… Or, maybe not.
Green Wicca is the focus on plants and nature. Green witches usually practice magic where the earth, trees, herbs, plants and flowers are used for their medicinal and magical value.
Draconic is basically the same as the others but with… dragons.
For more information, you can buy Harmony Nice’s new book Wicca here.
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