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Chapter 1
something suddenly shifted in him. He froze for a second, sighed, and said, “You’re hopeless. I can’t even beat sense into you.” He turned around and left my room, and went to sit in his recliner in the living room. To this day, I still don’t understand how he acted in such an unexpected way that was not typical of his behavior. Later that night, he gave me the emotional manipulation statement he often said to keep me hostage. “I swear, if you don’t get in line, I’m going to call your social worker and have them take you away again.” For years this tactic worked, as the only thing I had feared more than my grandfather was the thought of having to go through the foster care system again. However, it didn’t work this time. I remember that a force of some kind palpably came over me, and suddenly I was filled with the spirit of courage. Like David staring down Goliath right in the eyes, I said with a voice of calm and centered strength I had never experienced in my life, “Do it.” Every ounce of my being had meant it, and that steadfast conviction had been conveyed. I remember the shock in his eyes and his expression. Testing me again, he said, “I’ll call her right now,” as he reached for the phone, staring me in the eyes in a contentious showdown of will, hoping that I would back down. I didn’t budge. Angry at my reaction, he had called right in front of me. I silently prayed in my head to the Goddess that I could escape but not end up in foster care. A couple of days later, my social worker arrived to talk to me. She had informed me that my father’s brother in Southern California had synchronically reached out to them without my knowledge, saying that he and his wife would take me in until my father went through the legal battles to get full custody of me again. The bully spell worked. My prayer to the Goddess worked. Magick works. Through witchcraft, I learned that I don’t have to be a passive character in my story, a victim of circumstance. I discovered that I could be the author of it and direct the course and direction that my life story narrative takes. Witchcraft has continuously transformed me and my life. It can do all of this for you as well. That is why I am so passionate about teaching and sharing witchcraft with others. It’s also why I have written this book: to share with you what I’ve learned since my initial interest in witchcraft and how I understand magick to work, along with my observations, tips, and troubleshooting. I want you to take control of the narrative of your life when it seems that everything is hopeless and working against you. I want you to be empowered through witchcraft as I have been.
