Shift

I’ve been writing and rewriting the same post for about a week, so until I get myself figured out, here’s an altar reset (looking forward to Michaelmas on the 29th).

It feels like I’m reaching a turning point in how I share my practice on Instagram. Nothing major—more of a shift.

For the past few years I’ve shared lots of general histories, rituals, and techniques of Appalachian folk magic, but it’s often felt rather hollow. A lot of it has to do with the fact that I’m so introverted and have never been a huge fan of talking about myself.

But I’m fortunate that after years of living/traveling/studying in this region, I’ve made a lot of friends I deeply respect who are way more knowledgeable than me in this tradition, and I’ve received a lot of encouragement to be as authentic as I’m comfortable in sharing my stories. For example, I frequently reference the regional impacts of diseases of despair, but not my firsthand experiences and how they’re intertwined with me being a witch. In some ways, it would paint a better picture of the realities of folk magic.

So right now I’m thinking about how to incorporate some of those personal aspects while continuing to safeguard the things I’ll keep private (in addition to the more lighthearted recipes, hearthcraft, etc. because Lord knows we all need a break from the realities).

Meanwhile—I’ve been painting like a mad woman (in more ways than one). In case you missed it, I’ll be a vendor at this year’s Allentown Night Market (in just over two weeks!). I’ll have at least a few dozen statuettes + other items. (I still have 2 or 3 Marys left on Etsy—it’ll be at least a few weeks until my next online batch.)