There are times when we feel disconnected from our practice. Like a lot of things, we can ebb and flow with how much we engage with our witchcraft. Whether there’s something going on in our lives that’s causing the disconnect, or it’s just part of the natural cycle of life, it can feel discouraging. I think a lot of us have felt this at some point over this last year or so.
And it can be really devastating to feel that disconnect. For a lot of us our craft is an integral part of our lives, so feeling detached from that part of ourselves can feel like we’re missing a part of who we are as a person. The suggestions below are just that. Suggestions. I’m not going to say that you need to do everything on this list because not everyone is going to need or want it all. So just take a look and see what ideas you can gather.
So, how do we reconnect when we’ve found ourselves feeling cut off?
1. Get rid of any ideas about what you “should” be doing.
Let’s get this out of the way right off the bat. There isn’t any amount of witchcraft that is the “correct” amount of witchcraft. Some people’s craft involves smoke cleansing every day, making every shower a cleansing ritual, meditating twice a day, and having a strict regimen of spells that they have planned out a month in advance. Those witches exist and I admire their energy! But I’ll tell you right now that that is definitely not what my practice looks like. Just because that works for them doesn’t mean it will work for you. Don’t feel like just because you think you’re not doing what you “should” be doing that you’re a bad or nonvalid witch. That’s nothing but unnecessary self shaming. You’re your own witch.
2. Go back to basics
There’s a lot of exciting things to do in witchcraft. It can be really easy to go down a rabbit hole of some of the more wild and weird aspects and forget about some of the very first things that you learned in witchcraft. I know I’ve definitely been there. And sometimes, in all that excitement, you let the little things go. Take a quick look through the spells and rituals that you’ve performed over the last little while and see if there’s anything that you’ve been skimping on.
Letting go of the small things can really throw off your magical flow. A lot of the time those things provide the magical foundation for your whole practice. So when you start to let that foundation erode by not doing those basic things, it can make everything else feel off. Maintaining those basic practices helps to keep that foundation strong so you can build elaborate practices on top of them. So if you’ve been neglecting a piece of that base, it might be time to pick ourselves back up and keep that foundation strong!
3. Try something new
And then, of course, there’s the times when you’re having the opposite problem. Sometimes you’re in a rut. You’re doing the same kind of spells, they’re working fine, but there’s not the same excitement in it that there used to be. Well then, now would be a great time to bring in something to spice things up! There are a ton of ways that you can do this, of course. One of the easiest (and in my opinion probably the most exciting) is choosing a new subject to study. This can be a large topic like looking into an entirely new branch of magic, or small like challenging yourself to work a new plant into a spell.
And there will always be something new to learn when it comes to witchcraft! Maybe you could…
a. Bring in a new element to your existing routine
b. Keep the same routine but change the format
c. Tryout something completely different! Never tried divination before? Now’s a great time to start. Always been nervous about fire magic? Research the safety for that and go buy some matches!
4. Go back to a favorite
What’s that thing that you used to adore doing that you haven’t picked up for a while. For me it’s plant magic. I used to have a counter covered with potted plants that I used in my craft in many different ways. But I had to take an extended trip and left them with a friend to take care of most of them. Sadly, while I was gone, and despite my friends best efforts, most of my little green leafy friends died. Since then I’ve moved twice and just haven’t had the time to replant my mini garden. But I recently finished setting a space aside, So maybe it’s time for me to break out the soil once again!
Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve busted out your tarot cards. Maybe elaborate candle spells used to be your jam, but you haven’t struck the match in some time. Whatever it is that used to be your go to but haven’t done for a while, now may be as good a time as any!
5. Do a spell
This one sounds like it should be the most obvious, but it can be deceptively difficult if you’ve been off track for a while. But sometimes to get things flowing and get our feet wet again, we just have to jump in. Deciding to just do a spell can be a great way to kick yourself into gear and bump you back on the bandwagon. It could be as simple or elaborate as you like. Just a quick mantra meditation, or a simple candle spell can work just as many wonders as an elaborate full moon ritual.
I suggest finding something in your life, just one thing, that you feel like a little boost of magic would be good for. Maybe a road opener to help you feel less blocked, or a creativity spell to help get your brain working all the magic possibilities! Or maybe all you can bring to mind is a simple cleansing. Whatever the thing that feels right is, do it!
6. Find a friend
Witchcraft can feel kind of isolating, especially if you’re the only person you know who does it, or are in the broom closet. Friends and family who don’t practice can mean well, but it’s not the same as having someone that really gets it. Finding someone that you can talk to about your witchcraft can bring back some of the fun and help you rediscover what you used to enjoy! This friend may or may not be someone you actually want to do any magic with, and they don’t necessarily need to even have the same ideas about the craft as you. The important thing about it, is that it is someone who you can have those more in depth conversations with.
7. Develop a routine
Integrating your practice into your daily life can help you feel more connected throughout your day. Little things can add up, and before you know it you’re feeling those witchy vibes without a second thought! Try adding little things into your morning and evening routines that feel doable, or adding magical intentions to things you already do. The key is to set your routine up realistically. If you put together an elaborate list of things you want to do every morning before work, but you’re not a morning person, you’re just setting yourself up for failure. (Trust me on that one.)
Some ideas that you might add to your morning routine could be things like:
○ A daily card pull
○ Infusing your morning tea or coffee with intention
○ Meditation
○ Doing glamor magic with your clothes or make up
○ Listening to witchy music or podcasts
Some evening suggestions might look like:
○ A calming tea
○ Meditation
○ Taking a cleansing bath or shower
Or any other thing that you think would be a good idea at any point in the day! It just needs to be witchy and accomplishable!
8. Find a creator/teacher/book you love
This sort of falls in line with trying something new, but sometimes learning from a new person and seeing how they do or look at a specific aspect of magic will open you up to new perspectives on things you already know! Every practitioner looks at the craft a little different, and will have variations on even the most basic spells. Finding a new source of inspiration for your own craft can spark that creativity, and bring in new life to your practice. Even if you don’t agree with everything in a book you are reading, learning the ways that other people see the world will give you a more well rounded perspective and expand your horizons.
(If you’re looking for a place to start, I’ve made a list of 10 YouTubers that you might like to check out!)
9. Set the mood
I’ll admit this one is kinda small potatoes, but it’s helped me a lot in the past. Setting the mood for a spell is one of the first things I do when I feel like I haven’t felt as in touch with my practice as I would like. I’ll even do it a lot when I’m just in the planning phases for a spell and just need that head space to get in the flow. I’ve even done it when writing these blog posts! Getting in the right headspace can be a very powerful motivator! And who doesn’t love to set the mood just right.
So take some time before you want to do the witchy thing. Light some incense that makes you feel magical. Turn down the lights and get a candle lit. Put on that outfit that makes you feel your witchy best. Set everything out just so and go take a long cleansing bath. Make a date of it. If you don’t feel magical after all that, I will admit defeat!
10. Have patience
Like a lot of things in life, your desire and energy to practice witchcraft may come and go many times throughout your life. Try viewing it as one of the many cycles in your life that will come to an end when it is meant to. And magical burnout is a thing that can happen. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t do anything associated with witchcraft if you’re feeling a bit off. It just means that sometimes trying to force it when you may need some down time might just make you more frustrated than if you just let things flow naturally. Rest, relax, get plenty of sleep, and drink water. Then come back to it when you’re feeling ready.
Like I said in the beginning, you don’t need to try all of these things, or even any if none of them speak to you! But I hope this at least gave you that spark of inspiration that you were looking for! Now get out there, cast some spells, and feel your witchy best!
The Weird Witch 