Ask a Cottage Witch

with Juliette Jarvis

Dear Juliette, Hello! I am very new to witchcraft, and like many I do not know exactly where to start. But more than that I feel like I am pushing against a wall, like there is something keeping me from pursuing this path fully. I am not consciously fighting myself; I am excited to learn and practice. I feel no guilt, shame, or confusion about being on this path. What could this feeling be? My subconscious or something else? - Wondering Witch Dear Wondering Witch, First off, welcome! May you find a deep sense of homecoming as you walk your path and live your fullest self. There are two parts to your question and I’ m going to start with the last part first. There may be a multitude of reasons why you feel resistance, anything from a simple overabundance of sometimes contradicting information, to cellular memory of persecution, to not yet finding right fitting resources to really dive in with. It might be a question of divine timing, a need to repair from injured instinct, or perhaps some soul restoration or energetic clearing work might be the key. A deeply honest self-exploration into the source is absolutely within your power. If these practices are new to you, it doubles as an excellent opening to cultivate your personal practice! Running through a series of Yes/No questions with a pendulum or muscle testing can reveal invaluable insights - just be sure to form questions with great specificity and follow a logical progression. Questions like, “Is the resistance I feel to practicing witchcraft generated from my current self?” if Yes, “Is the resistance I feel to practicing witchcraft generated from my subconscious?” or if it was No, “Is the resistance I feel to practicing witchcraft generated from a past life of mine?” But truly, the source is perhaps less important than finding the Remedy, so questions such as, “Is the remedy to the resistance I feel toward practicing witchcraft found in herbal medicine?” (Or more learning, waiting for better timing, finding practices of greater alignment, meeting a teacher.) You might invite answers to come through night dreaming or meditation or even automatic writing, consulting cards, watching for signs or omens, or seeking a session or reading with a trusted practitioner. Regarding where to formally begin, you may find in many ways you have already begun long ago! Witchcraft takes many forms and often comes so naturally many don ’t even realize they are already quite witchy. It might be found in your kitchen practices, the way you wish, how you use words, heal with herbal medicines, or maybe a “ curious habit” of picking up stones without really knowing why. My recommendation for a living practice of study however would be to immerse yourself into cycle teachings through the energies, medicines, and archetypes of the Seasons, Moon Phases, and (if applicable) Menstrual cycle. These teachings fit well together and serve not only as accessible experiential guides with ever deepening learning on their own. (Continued next page)

with Juliette Jarvis

Everything from when particular spell work may be most suited, to annual/monthly rituals or celebrations, traditional heritage reclamation, working with deities, animal spirits, life force energy, plants, even informing divination pursuits like bone casting or tarot spreads. Naturally, cycle teachings have a pace of their own, so alongside this focus I would also recommend exploring various divination techniques to find which methods work best for you and then bring divination into your day-to-day life. Not as a reliance, but as a way to keep your practice as a lived and engaging experience to become deeply familiar with. You might also feel drawn to join a coven if you have witchy friends in your life who you feel comfortable with, find wise, and of course gather for formal ritual or celebration. There may be more community inclusive celebrations too to attend such as Solstice festivities or Full Moon Circles ~ which fit in quite nicely with cycle teachings * wink * Beannachtaí ~ Blessings! - Juliette

Dear Juliette, What are your main ingredients you like to keep on hand for herbal teas, spell works or herbal concoctions? - The Mystical ND Dear Mystical ND, Oooh this is a fun one. What a neat way to get to know someone a little better too eh? Though you are an ND and so would have professional wisdom to base your own choices on, I should probably put a disclaimer regarding both topical, internal, or smoking uses and that I am not suggesting others should engage with any of these herbs without personalized professional advice. Some of these have toxic or harmful applications/strengths and may be allergens or have contraindications. Okay my top ten are: - Devils Club As chew (when fresh), in tea, salves, talismans or other energetic & spell working, for consciousness shifting, healing properties, and spiritual protection - Cedar Fresh & dried for tea (careful with that) for saining, offerings, as medicine spiritual & physical, for tree communication, and in essential oil form to anoint or diffuse on the wood stove - Rowan Berry/Mountain Ash Strings of dried berries or fallen branches for talismans of protection or spell-work relating specifically to women or families. Sometimes I’ll toss a berry into my saining dish. I’d love to carve a drop spindle one day! - Chamomile As tea, medicinal washes, and a little in smoking blends (careful with that) for gentle calm of my nervous system & menstrual cramp support. (Continued next page)

with Juliette Jarvis

- Lavender Fresh & dried as aromatherapy, offerings, in salves & rinses, tea blends, smoke mixtures (careful with that) for ancestral connection, calming, and healing properties. - Calendula Fresh & dried in baking, teas, infused medicinal oils, for general healing and as eye candy for say Solstice cookies or salads. - Tobacco When indigenous peoples ask me for prayers, I will put down tobacco. A little in a smoke blend to heighten intention or for during certain smoke clearing work. - Cottonwood Buds/Balm of Gilead Chewed fresh or infused in oil for pain relief, general healing, aromatherapy, plant communication, anointing, and for me, slight consciousness shifting. - Cannabis (its legal here) In salves, smoking blends, and oil for high pain days or intense stress, plant communication, and cultivation as remedial reclamation act. I hope to process stalks for fibre to spin too! - Rose Fresh or dried as tea, ritual water, for saining mixtures, smoking blends (careful with that), offerings, spell-work, or anointing with essential oil for tender heart healing, calming, sweetness and divine mother work. Aside from tobacco being gifted to me, I grow and/or harvest these myself. It creates a deeper intimacy of relationship and ensures proper care of medicinals. I’ m just beginning my journey with dye plants which is very exciting to me, especially with old friends like Mountain Ash and Chamomile. I’ m also finally answering the call to spend some immersive time with Hawthorn. I’ m allergic to Nettle or I would surely include. I’ m going to try processing for fibre to spin and see if we might enter a relationship in that way. Slánte math ~ in good health! - Juliette

Dear Juliette, My cats often leave little bird “ gifts” for us, and I would love to know how to clean and process the skulls so we can keep them. What’s the best way of doing that? - Bone Collector

Dear Bone Collector, Bird bones are particularly tricky and take mindful attention due to their lightweight construction, even with larger than cat gift sized species. The easiest and least “hands on ” method, especially for tiny birds, would be to leave the body outside in a manner that makes it inaccessible to creatures who may carry it away but allows for bacteria and other flesh eating smalls, along with the weather, to do the work for you. Keeping an eye on it is wise as very small bones can disintegrate if left too long. Sun bleaching in summer is excellent and hands off, but once the flesh is gone you may need to bury the bones in Borax for a couple of weeks if the seasonal timing isn ’t right. You can find it in the laundry aisle. It helps kill bugs and properly dries up any little bits of flesh or cartilage still stuck on. A final going over with a soft brush, and you are done! (Continued next page)

with Juliette Jarvis

If the bird is large enough, you might de-flesh it by hand as best as you can. Boiling in a pot after skinning makes that a bit easier. The trouble spot here is the brain. The foramen magnum, the hole where the spine connects to the skull, is quite small for scrambling things up while raw or for pulling brains out through after it’ s been cooked, so you may need to go in through a hole made in an eye socket. Unfortunate for aesthetic qualities and you still need to decide if you can stomach a raw extraction or wait until it’ s been cooked. After cleaning, a short soak in food grade peroxide (a few hours to overnight depending on size, but if left a whole 24 hours chances are high they will disintegrate) to remove anything remaining and another level of killing off bacteria. Towel dry then into Borax for a couple of weeks to dry up moisture and again kill any remaining bacteria. Finish with a soft brush. If you would like to keep wings or feet, cut them off first. Spread wings on cardboard and pin. If you want the toes/talons able to clutch something like a crystal later on, tuck it or a surrogate of similar size into its grip. Then bury everything in Borax for two weeks and use a soft brush to remove all the Borax. Sometimes working with bones in this way can take one by surprise as to how profound and deeply spiritual it can be. Even with its gory parts, it can be quite reverent, ceremonial, and even life changing. Incorporating bones within one ’ s practice is rich with meaning, has a wide range of purpose, and may lead into some very specialized areas of magic. Some people find suddenly all sorts of death honouring and calls for bone cleaning organically begins to show up in a manner of ways. If other creatures start arriving into your hands, be sure to check with local laws for species specific legalities. Enjoy! - Juliette

Dear Juliette, I am most definitely a witch! I am also a schoolteacher. I’m not exactly happy in my job but I realize right now is not the time for me to be making a move to get out…it’s complicated. I do feel that if I could find ways to express myself more freely at work it may help with the daily feeling of dread, numbness, and stress (I know, sounds lovely, huh?). Do you have some suggestions of how I can bring my practice and ritual into my daily grind without retribution from students, parents, and coworkers that don’t have an understanding? - Witchy Educator Dear Witchy Educator, Aye, finding ways to bring our spirituality into our day-to-day life is something many seek, particularly keeping up our connection while in mainstream workplaces. My first thought is dressing intentionally each day. Choosing colours that relate to the elements you are working with, wearing significant jewelry (overtly recognizable pendants like pentacles or medicine pouches can be worn under shirts against skin), accessories may be donned as invocations, protections, and as energetic medicines. (Continued next page)

with Juliette Jarvis

Depending on your classroom set up, and the grades you teach, you might create a seasonal nature table * cough * _ altar _ * cough * Easily incorporated into any walks the class might take, for scientific study, drawing practice, even story telling. Pinecones, leaves, berries, nests, feathers, etc. are a nice way to keep connected to nature spirits and the cycle work of changing seasons. Perhaps a crystal sneaks in or even a moon phase calendar. At lunchtime, a brief pause holding your apple, sandwich, or Tupperware container, even if looking at someone who is talking to you, gives opportunity to send gratitude and/or healing energy through your hands and into your food as a silent blessing. Before students begin arriving, you might scribe a magic symbol, rune, stave, or sacred word in chalk on your board as a secret sigil before erasing it. The essence will still be present. Depending on the holistic climate of your school (and fire regulations), you may be able to light a candle during silent reading, story time, or other calm seated activity. I know this is very common in Waldorf inspired schools for instance. If able, you could choose a ritual colour, inscribe symbols, or use your breath when blowing it out as a means for any classroom appropriate spell work such as cleansing the energy of the room or inviting protection. To keep yourself grounded, a large stone might discreetly fit under your desk for your feet to rest on. Claim footstool ergonomics if anyone asks! Talismans, small medicine bundles, crystals, little scrolls all fit easily in a pocket to be touched and held as needed. Clearing work can be done with conscious exhalation, while grounding exercises, self-healing, sacred hand gestures, even muscle testing can be done imperceptibly. There may be room within the curriculum to touch on subjects that have a “ witchy vibe ” to them. Anything from telling fairy tales to studying Norse myths to reading Women Who Run with the Wolves for its Jungian analysis of old stories from various cultures. Sacred geometry might be employed in math, art, or even desk arrangements. Hopefully this helps get your creative thoughts flowing! My only thought to add is you wouldn ’t have consent for any work affecting others, so clear intention when working is something to consider. All the best to you and thank you for teaching the next generations! - Juliette

Dear Juliette, I have always been sensitive to spirits and energy. I had my palms read, and she immediately picked up on my clairvoyance and spirits that surround and protect me. I want to build upon my clairvoyance but can’t seem to find any books. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!! Blessed be! - Curious Clairvoyant (Continued next page)

with Juliette Jarvis

Dear Curious Clairvoyant, Alas, I have no books on clairvoyance that I could recommend, but I DO have some exercises and techniques to help develop your practice. The first I would suggest is to play intuitive games as often as you can. This helps to keep your channel open and hone precision in low-risk situations. Things like guessing who is calling or messaging before you look, asking friends to pick a number between 1 & 10, practicing predicting tarot or playing card suits before turning them over, or choosing heads or tails of a flipped coin. When we can trust our knowings in low risk situations, it becomes easier to trust them when the stakes are higher. Interpret random things as message. Setting an intention to interpret your commute to work as a form of divination, or considering the way the sky looks first thing in the morning as an omen, or even the first song you hear on the radio or paragraph seen of a randomly opened book, offers two means of development; cultivating your personal symbolic lexicon as well as being open to receiving insights in a variety of day-to-day forms. Holding old or second hand objects. Psychometry allows us to develop all of our methods of perception. By holding an object, we can tune into any physical sensations that come up like goosebumps or warmth, emotional flushes, second sight, clairaudience, and intuitive knowings. This is excellent for taking your time and exploring which senses comes through easiest and even conditions that aren ’t supportive for your sensitivities to come through. Starting with objects from people you know, like a grandfather ’ s watch or a friend’ s favourite ring can be helpful as you already have a sense of who they are, how they feel, and your connection is naturally stronger. Let yourself check things out at a thrift store or secondhand shop too to gain speed with receiving information. When ready, ask friends to bring something from people you don ’t know and share with them what you pick up so they can confirm impressions or details. Over time, your accuracy will improve. If you called to mediumship, you might then use personal objects to open a direct channel and invite messages to come through from people who have passed on. Broadcasting to a Friend. As a balance to receiving information, transmitting, or broadcasting to consenting friends or family is not only useful but also fun. It starts as simple as, “Guess what colour I’ m thinking of. ” and lead to things like an unannounced * ping * sometime during the week, and right on into dream visiting and astral travel. To do this we must first be able to tune into our consenting friend in the methods of perception that feel strongest so as not to broadcast indiscriminately to unintended people. Then comes exploring which modes of sending feels strongest to you; mental image, emotion, auditory (either aloud or internal voice), physical sensation, distance energy work etc. Keep in mind that not all friends will be receptive, or receptive to the way you transmit, and it is common for an impression to be felt but differently than sent - they may feel cold when you sent heat for instance. There are two benefits to this practice; greater ability to locate what/who you seek as well as gaining more control over switching on and off your psychic antenna. Sensing lost objects. (Continued next page)

with Juliette Jarvis

You may already do this, either through your own sensing or with aid of spirit guides, but practice here can be invaluable. Not only is it a handy or perhaps lifesaving skill, but it also heightens ability to fine tune what you seek through the eathers, be it a Sight of things to come, a sense of dis-ease within a person, tracking a timeline in the spirit realm, or keeping a good solid read on a static ridden message coming from beyond the veil. Heck, finding lost car keys in a jiffy doesn ’t hurt either! Boundaries. This is an important piece many don ’t often speak of. Being able to hold firm boundaries around when you are NOT open for business so-to-speak. Having a full body premonition while driving a freeway is not safe. Becoming overwhelmed with too many messages can lead to a break down. Not being able to rest when you need to can lead to burn out. Sickness can take hold if one is unable to keep entities out of house and body. As much as there is desire to cultivate becoming a clearer channel to perceive the unseen world, it is wise to also become adept at closing that pathway. Letting go of control. This is a biggie. The more you can safely let go of control, the more receptive you ’ll become and the easier it will be to not question, doubt, or overthink the impressions and Sights that come. Automatic writing. Doodling. Day dreaming. Orgasms. Intuitive art. Floating in water. Trance dance. Letting someone else order for you at a restaurant. Channeling Reiki. Fire gazing. Deep relaxation. It doesn ’t seem like it, but these are all great ways to strengthen intuitive muscles vicariously. Learning Related Practices. Mediumship, journeying/imramma/soul flight in the spirit realm, hands on healing, and various divination techniques can all help by keeping us in practices relating to the other realms. Literary resources abound, along with online and live teachings. If any of these interest you, you should find plenty of resources, if not, write back and I can offer a list to check out. Hopefully some of this helps! Blessed Be, - Juliette

with Juliette Jarvis

Tucked up in her west coast cottage by the sea, Juliette Jarvis lives as a sacred maker of ritual wear and ceremonial objects, facilitating spiritual living programs, and writing on returning reverence to our lives. She draws on 15+ years of offering community ceremonies, healing sessions, and divination readings when answering your questions in our “Ask a Cottage Witch” column. You can find her @Selkie _ Sanctuary on IG

Selkie Sanctuary West Coast devotional arts: www.SelkieSanctuary.com 3 Fold Balance~ Soul restoration sessions, journey circles, workshops & medicine tools: www.3FoldBalance.com Sacred living immersion programs: www.ReturnToReverence.ca ASK A COTTAGE WITCH! SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION HERE