As you just said, āsubconsciously all my lifeā. Yep, but I just returned āfull forceā only 2 years ago 2024, after my 35 year daughter died. It woke me up in numerous ways!! It brought me back to really study and practice the craft, and not hide it or myself from anyone. This is me (always has been) and accept it or not, again, this is ME.
Anyway, a little soapbox moment. I am so glad I came back to the craft. My life has improved in so many ways, and so greatly over the last year and half.
Love your fur-babies. Always get mine from the shelters!! Even mutts need love too. Like they are called in Hawaii, āpoi dogsā. Everything in there, plus some.
Talking about fur-babies, mine just got a bath, and is eating her treat right at my desk. Wet-dog smell at the moment, but fresh and clean later.
Welcome, @erica and Merry Meet! Iām Feathertip, from SE Michigan.
How lovely - and how fortunate to have such a strong background of witches to teach and support you. Iām a lifelong Pagan and usually kept my instincts to myself, which can be very trying.
I hope to see more of you around the forum! Many blessings.
Lately, my husband has been asking me questions if this or that (he sees in movies) is really possible. Much of it is, and some I tell him is Hollywood āpoetic licenseā when it comes to withcraft. Likewise, I have people at the casino at bingo (only a select few know that I am a witch, the others think I am a type of āspiritual healerā or āwitch-doctorā and are always asking me for natural concoctions for what-ever. Many know that I refuse to take meds, and rely on herbal conconctions. But, yes, it IS difficult when I hear some things said that just are completely WRONG. But, like you said, gotta keep it to yourself.
Iāve thought about what to write so many times, and I keep coming back to the same thought - gratitude. So Iām going to take this moment to be grateful.
Iām grateful to Francisco for creating this beautiful community, and Iām grateful to the Mods for all the work behind the scenes. Iām also grateful for Bry, every message of support lifted my spirit and you didnāt have to write them so thank you.
Iām grateful to Tracys and Dan3 for showing me the compassion I needed but couldnāt give myself at the time - my soul thanks you both.
Iām grateful to the small yet dedicated group of regulars who keep the conversations ticking - we all love you, you know who you are.
Iām grateful for every ānewbieā (I really donāt like that word) at the beginning of a beautiful journey; it is a pleasure to watch others grow, and Iām thankful for that.
Iām thankful for my daughter, and the new joys she brings, and Iām very thankful every time I open my eyes and embrace a new chance to try again.
Awww reading this made me smile! Thank you for this beautiful message, Nikki
Updating my note to myself: in addition to those already counted, freebie entries have also been counted for @carrianne, @erica, and @Nikki-Phoenix. Thank you for joining the freebie challenge!
When I learned that I could really speak to spirits as well as hear them was after my grandfather had passed away. It was the following summer and he had passed two days after my birthday that previous January. I was in the bathroom brushing my hair. I wasnāt paying much attention then all of a sudden, I heard him as though he was standing behind me! āI really donāt like Bob!!ā If I could had, I would had leaped out of my skin. I jumped and yelled at him, āDammit Papaw, Donāt be doing that to me!!ā It didnāt even dawn on me that it was him as a spirit telling me he didnāt like my husband. He came back to me to let me know that he understood why I didnāt come see him before he died. He knew that I always loved how big he was and that made him my hero. He knew he was still my hero. I told him that I loved him and he left. I cried for a while after, then I felt better knowing that he was okay with everything. He proceeded to come to me and tell me things I never knew for a couple years until my grandmother passed. The night before her funeral, The both of them came to me to let me know they were together in a field of flowers. He is happy and hasnāt came back since.
My magickal name is Catori Miakoda, which means Spirit Power of the Moon. My name was chosen for me by my elders & ancestors during my coming-of-age ceremony. I have always been drawn to the moon and feel more alive during a full moon, so that is why they chose my magickal name. I normally just go by āCatā.
Do you have a favorite area of magick?
Lunar Magick is one of my favorite areas of magick.
What are you studying right now?
Currently, I am studying Metaphysical Science
Are there any hobbies or crafts youāre working on?
I am working on a new beaded spider design and finishing a beaded tree-of-life suncatcher.
Do you have any pets or familiars?
I have 11 cats, 1 dog, and 5 chickens. My catsā names are: Vashti, Midnight, Basil, Smokey, Ulfgar, Luna, Binx, Loki, Wednesday, Bast, and Aries. My dogās name is Summer. As for the chickens, their names are: Coffee, Hei Hei, Blue, Red, and Karen.
How long have you been practicing?
I have been practicing since before I could talk. I was raised in the old ways and am a 9th-generation witch.
Hello everyone! Iām new to witchcraft, started in January and have been loving it! My name is Marissa and I will take any advice to help me learn and grow. I have done a few spells and meditations so far and have been reading and learning as much as I can. Any advice is appreciated! Thank you!
Updating the tally: In addition to those already counted, @Ostara, @shannon3, @Catori_Miakoda, and @marissa1 have freebie entries counted. Thanks for stopping by and for joining in the challenge!
Hey thanks for this challenge, this is my first time participating in one!
I donāt yet have a magical name. My favourite area of magic is Moon Magic because Iām the most consistent with my moon journaling and I love this way setting and reflecting on intentions. I have taken a break from studying but I have goal to get back into the Tarot course, because Iām really interested in understanding divination.
I have been working on my second crochet temperature blanket and for the past month I have been doing a challenge to make marker drawings of flowers and plants everyday in a small sketchbook. Some things I make up but itās been nice to expand my repertoire and draw from reference pictures of plants I have never drawn before, and itās been a way to keep me focused in spring during these hard winter months.
I have a 2.5 year old cat pet/familiar, named Noodle, who is the reason I get up in the morning!
I have been practicing for about a year and a half and it has been a real blessing during a difficult period of my life
Before I completely forget to do an entry this session
Challenge Entry - Freebie!
With a wide array of choices and a severely jet-lagged brain, the only thing I can come up with is to share photos of paintings and sculptures of Diana. Artemis and Hecate from the Galleria Borghese in Rome, Italy. Note - the website is only available online when the museum is open. Hereās a non-official site. I will blur ones with artistic nudity.
On the Left: Diana, the goddess of the moon (Diana (planeta Luna) On the Right: Unable to confirm ID but likely Diana/Artemis on the right with the bow
On the Left:Statue of Artemis the Huntress On the Right: Dianaās head atop the portrait of a matron, Roman, Antonin period, marble - Galleria Borghese - Rome, Italy
Left: Artemis of Ephesus (good post about what the appendages actually are.) Right: Statue of Artemis Roman copy from to Greek models dating from the 4th to the 2nd century BC Hall of the Biga, Pio-Clementino Museum, Vatican Museums.
Do you have a magickal name?
No but I would love one! How does one acquire a magick nickname?
Do you have a favorite area of magick?
Currently I have been liking candle magickā
What are you studying right now?
I am currently studying herbs and crystalsā
Are there any hobbies or crafts youāre working on?
I have started trying knew crafts and hobbies as much as I can over the last year. My favorite is diamond dots, I find it relaxing and beautifulā.
Do you have any pets or familiars?
I have 1 dog named Luna, she is my soul baby!
How long have you been practicing?
I am new and started practicing in January. I started going to some classes locally and have been using apps, books and websites to learn as much as I can!
So, IĀ“ve already answered the first question in length.
My favorite area of magick, or letĀ“s say the one IĀ“m using mostly is candle magic. ItĀ“s quick and easy and not much preparation is needed. Right after that are spell jars - mostly because I can keep them and work them how ever long I see fit.
Right now IĀ“m studying Runes.
Hobbies and crafts are everything to do with art, candle making, crochetingā¦in summer I do love to go on small camping trips around Vienna.
I have a cat, her name is Esmeralda and IĀ“m not entirely sure if she is my familiar. She loves my altar and drinks from the chalice.
I canāt really say exactly how long Iāve been practicingā¦ I kind of grew into it as a child. But it was all very unstructured, and it wasnāt until my early twenties, when I was already living in Vienna, that I learned about Wicca and found more information about it. When the film āThe Craftā came out, I was about 23 or 24, I was completely captivated. Does anyone remember Lirioās magic shop? That was my absolute dream! I never wanted to be like one of the four girlsā¦I wanted to be like Lirio.
Updating my little challenge tally note that, in addition to entries already counted, entries from @elyse, @Artemisia, and @donna5 are also counted. Thanks for joining the freebie challenge!
My advice at the moment is simply to keep looking around and participating. 
