I am curious as to what everyone has been up to within their practice.
Have you discovered anything you are excited about? Are you researching something new? Something old?
Are you taking a break?
Lately I have come full circle in a way. My grandmother gave me a book years ago, that was stolen from me along with every oracle and tarot deck that I owned. Around this time as well incense my aunt had shown me was stolen.
Recently I tried satya nag champa incense and as soon as I smelt it I recognized it from the old house where my things were taken. I recognized it as an incense my aunt introduced me to. I had not been writing about my practice at the time and had not written the name of the incense down.
This past week I had been browsing online. I ran across a book I recognized the cover of and realized that this was something I used to own for a very short period that had been given to me by my grandmother. It brought all the memories back. The feelings of being upset having the culmination of my path stolen from me.
I am attempting to acquire this book online soon to replace it. I am not too adamant about replacing every card deck, but I do need to replace the book.
These experiences feel like they were meant to happen. Like my path is starting to take the shape of what it used to be. I love it though the memories can be unpleasant and bring a lot of emotion.
How does your path feel for you lately? Like it is taking a change? Starting to develop? Like it is returning home?
My practice has been rather stagnant, which is normal for the summer. I work with a lot of solar/fire deities, but I can't stand the heat. I did have my friend over for Lughnasadh, but it was mostly us watching witchy movies and eating homemade bread. The past month has been overwhelmingly stressful and I've put everything on the back burner [behold my practice: watching witchtok on Sundays] but I'm starting up again. Even when I'm in a spiritual/magickal slump, I still read articles and try to frequent SpellsofMagic. [it's a little something that reminds me of my path] I think that's the thing with witchcraft, most people think it's dramatic rituals and spells every day, when it's more meditation, mindful cups of tea, walks in the park.
I'm finalizing stuff for my handfasting, and with the end of the recent heatwave in my area, I feel more spiritually inclined. I was able to light my altar candle yesterday and today, and I got in a decent meditation. I'm hoping to feel up for a circle by the full moon. Otherwise, it's been my morning blessings and daily routine stuff like the protection when I lock my door or shower cleanse. I might do a money spell tonight because I'm in a casting mood and you could never go wrong with a little extra cash what with a wedding coming up lol.
Breaks from practice are nice. When I find myself with no interest in practice momentarily it can be difficult for me. I need to let myself rest sometimes. I have plans next month to start making my own spell candles. Lately I have been making my own herbal mixes and powders, as well as my own smudge bundles. I have come to a point where I am making my own supplies. It is so much more fiscal to make my own smudge sticks than to buy them. I have been learning a lot the past few months.
May you have a magical handfasting, and many blessings.
I suppose my own measure of practice is hard to guage because I just tend to drift about anyways. *cough*I'm lazy*cough*
I've been mainly working on mundane things, and tooling about on the forums here. I did end up with a bit of a spontaneous hiatus earlier though. I think I just hit a spat of burnout and heat-induced 'blahs. (Glad to know I'm not the only person who doesn't fare well in summer)
Since coming back I have found myself being more contemplative than anything. I suppose coming back a bit refreshed has helped me get back to my usual talkative, 'unnecessarily detailed wall of text when a sentence would do' self. So that feels good.
It is neat to hear that your roots are coming back to you CrystalSeer! Maybe it is the Linda Goodman influence in me, but I'd probably think of such things as a spiral rather than a circle. Old stuff is coming back, but you are revisiting your beginnings with greater knowledge and understanding. I'm willing to bet that when you get that book back you'll read entirely new things from it!
My own bit of recent excitement would be the one specific working I undertook over my hiatus. I had a spate of inspiration, and a nudge or two from my guide that ended with a ritual (meditation/astral journey) of being bathed in dragon-fire. Sort of a mix purification, empowerment, shadow-working, test of bravery, and rebirth. ... It had a strange air of initiation though I don't know into 'what' just yet. ... I suppose discovering that will be my next adventure.
I've contemplated writing out the process I followed and contributing it, but it might be a while before I can sit and write it out.
On a side note, Congrats indeed Nekoshema! May your celebration be only half as joyous as the many years ahead for you and your partner!
