Ask a Cottage Witch ~ part 1
In this edition: money spells that don’t seem to work, healing discomfort around being called a Witch, symbol identification, and which direction is best for sleeping
Dear Juliette,
I’m having some trouble with my money spells. I have been doing spells for monetary abundance for quite some time now. Money bowls, blowing cinnamon in my front door, carrying enchanted coins with abundance sigils drawn on them, etc. Yet my husband and I are still coming up negative in our accounts each month — despite all of these spells and living frugally. Some background, I’m a full time student, mama to a two year old, and a server at night. My husband works 50–60 hours a week as HR/Office Manager at an Alzheimer’s and Dementia home. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong with these spells. Help please!
~ Broke but Hopeful Witch
Dear Broke but Hopeful Witch,
I must start with the suggestion that you may not in fact be doing anything wrong. Cost of living, education, and parenting can be so high that even well paying dual incomes still may not make ends meet. There is a HEAP of gaslighting in spiritual communities that anyone struggling financially (or otherwise) must be doing something wrong, or not holding high enough vibes, are cursed, or are ineffective in their craft. Honestly that is most often a result of spiritual bypassing, so let’s just relieve you of this notion straight away.
Spells also can take a very long time to become manifest in the outer world. A whole lot of moving parts in life need to shift and come into alignment at the right times for big changes to be seen. Sometimes situations need to build to a particular intensity before a crucial decision can be made that clears the way or other people are involved who also need things to shift before the synergy can happen. Keep doing what you are doing, and try not to feel like they aren’t working. There may be a lot happening you can’t see yet!
The one thing I might shift in your approach is to swap out the word/intention of “Abundance” for “Prosperity”. I’m a stickler for clear, precise wording in our work. Abundance to Spirit/Great Mystery/Life Force/Gods etc can be interpreted in all sorts of ways; an abundance of cash flowing both in and out, abundance of bills, abundance of stuff, an abundance of hard work. Prosperity however, hones in a bit more on the desire for ample resources, having plenty left after expenses, and of thriving financial increase.
In prosperity,
Juliette
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Dear Juliette,
MAY I ASK WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE SYMBOL, )○( ?
~ Imzadi
Dear Imzadi,
This symbol represents three of the four phases of the Moon, Waxing Crescent, Full, and Waning Crescent (the New Moon isn’t represented here). It may be used in many ways but often indicates one either follows the cycles of the moon, works with triple Goddess energy, or is simply friendly toward pagans, witches, and/or nature based traditions. It may be used in spell work where one is calling on the life/death/rebirth force of nature, various lunar deities, or when working with the sacred number 3 in its many forms. It’s easy to type and so is commonly seen online or in books.
Blessed Be,
Juliette
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Dear Juliette,
Which direction is best for sleeping?
Head towards North?
~ Rosewood
Dear Rosewood,
This is something that shifts between people, locations, traditions, and even per night for some folks!
Some beliefs choose direction based on where the door is, so it can always be seen while laying in bed, or ensuring a mirror isn’t reflecting where we sleep. Others are more concerned with keeping electromagnetic exposure to a minimum by placing the foot of the bed, rather than the head of the bed, against the wall where sockets are near.
The best thing would be to try out each direction and see what feels most “right”, and if possible, be open to switching it up if that changes or on nights you can’t fall asleep. It’s not uncommon to have a personal preference. If your practice involves calling on the directions, or the elements have a specific position, or if you work with cycle teachings or a medicine wheel, you might choose direction based on associations there that align with your intentions, healing work, or other relationships.
Since you mention North, I would consider what draws you to that direction, what associations you make, and if it physically feels good to lay that way, perhaps start there!
Sweet dreams to you,
Juliette
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Dear Juliette,
How does one become comfortable calling themselves a witch? I love the Pagan path and follow the light of love within. I guess years of “church-guilt” as a child still resonates somewhere under the shadows within.
~ Cosmic Cloud
Dear Cosmic Cloud,
Ooof. This is a big one eh?! I think it a fortunate few who are truly comfortable to call themselves so in all the situations they encounter. From my experience, most of us struggle with the term on some level, be it from religious upbringing, experiencing harassment, unsafe targeting and prejudices, to a deeply ingrained, cellular knowing of the hundreds and hundreds of years of persecution right through to ongoing stereotypes of green skinned warty hags at Halloween. It’s real. Visceral. And I say it here to acknowledge and honour the depth of it. Not all of us are able to fully come out of the broom closet yet, perhaps only in safe feeling areas, under a pseudonym, or must do so through subtle means. It’s a slow careful wound to heal, and so that is my first thought on how to become more comfortable ~ slowly, and in safe feeling spaces.
Luckily, there is a resurgence in reclaiming lost cultures, forgotten traditions, and reanimating old ways across the board, and with online resources, social media, and more and more like-themed movies, shows, and books coming out, we have a bit more mainstream exposure to lean into, even if depictions aren’t always accurate. Many traditionally “witchy” careers are finding greater acceptability even among less welcoming communities. Things like herbalists, energy workers, spiritual art, metaphysical and crystal shops, even slow fashion or hand made items may have old chanting songs, prayer making, intention setting, and superstitions embedded right into their skill sharing. Often we have witchy ways close by that aren’t noticed, like the grandma who read tea leaves or weather divination with a groundhog. It all gives us a little more space where our varying beliefs feel normalized and we can get more comfortable with these life ways. And so cultivating relationships with like-minded folks, setting your social media environment to be more welcoming, live streaming Solstice ceremonies, visiting sacred sites, checking for related meetups in your area or perhaps an online coven, joining workshops or attending witch or pagan camps, reading old stories from your culture, watching shows and movies where witches aren’t maligned for being witches; these are all ways to further surround yourself with your people. Those who practice similarly to you or at least, hold regard for how you do. Places where you can test the waters with calling yourself a witch, share about your practice, ask ritual related questions, learn how others hold ceremony or cast spells, and basically steep yourself in witch culture.
To go a little further, diving into nuances of what exactly is considered a witch in any given time period, geographical location, culture etc. How integrated or separated was their craft from their daily life tasks? What were they actually doing that set them apart from other ways of working? What are the underlying similarities with the religion you grew up in? Reading of the history and varieties of modern sects to be able to distinguish Wiccan from Dianic from Hedge from Folk. Learning terms for ritual items or other traditional names for witch niches, and finding language that resonates with you. Exploring in this way really anchors our knowledge, and empowers us when faced with disparaging tropes in media, when confronted with prejudice, to speak well to those who are curious or new, and understand more fully why we became uncomfortable with being called a witch in the first place. One day you might even find yourself advocating and clarifying misconceptions, or supporting others in this deep healing work!
With deep peace,
Juliette
This edition of Ask a Cottage Witch first appeared in the Enchanted Mornings Magazine.
If you would like to submit your own questions about earth based magic practices, spirit journeys, western “shamanism”, soul restoration, energy healing, or for other such heathen advice, please fill out this google form then watch this publication for your reply.
Tucked up in her cottage on the west coast of Canada, Juliette Jarvis lives as a Sacred Living Mentor, Best Selling Author, and Devotional Artist. She draws on 15+ years of hosting community ceremonies and immersion programs to write spiritually supportive works, and create hand woven ritual wear & ceremonial ceramics.
Visit www.selkiesanctuary.com to find more of her works and buy her a coffee at https://ko-fi.com/juliettejarvis
