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Untrickled by Michelle Teheux's avatar

My young granddaughter honestly believes I'm a witch. Partly, this is because my white hair reaches nearly to waist and I live in black dresses. Partly, this is because I have an herb garden and showed her how to make things like herbal tea, which she believes to be potions. Partly, it's because I'm a badass.

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Jennifer Barnett's avatar

There’s every reason to believe your granddaughter is correct.

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India Flint's avatar

All three of my granddaughters are similarly convinced…though my hair is not yet white, merely silvered and my dresses leaf-printed and patched, dark but not black. We make splendid potions too…

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MUTHR, FCKD's avatar

Honored to have you in my coven. I find it hilarious that astrology, tarot, etc. are in now because I've been at this shit for 42 years and had to spend so much of it in the broom closet. The more the merrier! So glad we're all having a moment.

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Jennifer Barnett's avatar

I have also been in the broom closet for many years (nearly a century as calculated in some circles if you get my drift 🧚 ) and it’s good to be in alignment with you, my sister. Hey, do you want to meet me in the Isle of Skye in April?

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MUTHR, FCKD's avatar

Fuck yeah! Let's gooooo!

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Gilly Martin's avatar

My maiden name is from the Isle of Skye, but I still haven't been. It looks so beautiful!

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Jim Sanders's avatar

Have you ever read the play ‘The Lady is Not for Burning’ by Christopher Fry? Great play IMO.

In it he lays out what I think may be the primary reason for persecuting “witches” other than the known perfidy of the Catholic Church.

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Jennifer Barnett's avatar

I haven't read it, but I do love witch-related content so perhaps it will come my way.

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Jim Sanders's avatar

The play is not about witchcraft per se but about being accused of being a witch. The play has some wonderful poetic dialogue between the accused witch and her defender, a soldier returned from the 30-years war who claims he is the devil.

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Amy Muller's avatar

I wouldn't miss it, sister Witch. Blessed be.

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Jennifer Barnett's avatar

I feel your presence already 🌙

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Andrea Johnson Beck's avatar

My broom, crystals, and cauldron are ready🔥

We fly at dawn!

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Jennifer Barnett's avatar

Follow the north wind 💨

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Kari Bentley-Quinn's avatar

Im gonna find my tarot deck from the 90s, fire up The Craft soundtrack, and start collecting crystals for just this occasion.

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Jennifer Barnett's avatar

Excellent plans

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Stacy Parish's avatar

At a time when so many of us are asking "WHATTHEACTUALFUCK?!?" I'm so inspired by the wave of women rising. HELLOOOO Fellow witches!! Jennifer, thank you so much for putting words to my feelings and building this community of badass witches!

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Christie Shumate McElwee's avatar

Thank you. You’ve written how I’ve been feeling since November. I do surround myself with like-minded women, but a gathering at night in dark woods would be so fulfilling. Gather, witches!

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Jennifer Barnett's avatar

We have important business to attend to. 🌚✨

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jan desmet's avatar

I have been serious fan of Hecate for many years-she has been an aid as goddess of the crossroads-when you find yourself at a crossroad in your life and need assistance you scream her name…

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Melinda Caliendo's avatar

May I recommend the YA novels "This Poison Heart" and "This Wicked Fate" by Kalynn Bayron as excellent witch-adjacent, Hecate-related entertainment? I devoured these last summer, and am wishing for more.

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Jennifer Barnett's avatar

Thank you for the recommendations 💫

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Stacy Parish's avatar

Ooooo thank you! Was recently turned onto the classic "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" and have been craving more--but don't have the bandwidth to Google one. more. thing.

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Melinda Caliendo's avatar

"The Witch of Blackbird Pond" was one of my favorite books growing up! Best wishes for uplifting reading!

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Stacy Parish's avatar

I believe “The Poison Heart” is waiting for me in our mail room🙌🏻

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Ashleyboop(She/her)'s avatar

I really need to start reading and learning more about witches and stuff and tarot and everything it’s so fascinating, and I think you’re right. Do you have any advice for someone who would like to start their journey into witchcraft and such? (Mostly the good kind, except for the horrible rotten people who deserve black magic). Your piece really resonated with me, I’ve found myself doing that so often (wishing I had powers to fight back with because it can make me feel so helpless to be wronged so much and nothing is done to make it right). Especially the part about Hecate, that was really powerful to me, unfortunately I’ve been wronged a lot in my life with not too much justice on my part, they always get away with it. I need an outlet, something to ground me and so forth. It’s always fascinated me, even as a kid, but back then I thought it was bad and I would be considered evil, now I find it so beautiful and intriguing, the coven, the sisterhood, the belief system, it’s all so beautiful. Anyway, lovely piece. I’m with you all the way.

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Jennifer Barnett's avatar

I think Substack is a pretty good place to connect with people who are knowledgeable and writing about all things Wiccan and for sorcery and enchantment and the like. There’s also fun stuff on TikTok, and your library or independent book store will have sections on this. And reading fantasy genre fiction is a good escape into the imaginative world of magic.

We all need and deserve connection and protection. 💜

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India Flint's avatar

A little extra mace (skin of nutmeg) in your curry will have you dreaming you can fly…good place to start.

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Alison Van Gorp's avatar

I like The Numinous Podcast with Carmen Spagnola. She also has a new book out called Spells for the Apocalypse.

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Beryl Striewski's avatar

Great article! Yes, dancing witches we are!!

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Jennifer Barnett's avatar

🔮💫

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Margaret Morgan's avatar

I'll go pick up the eye of newt, 'kay?

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Jennifer Barnett's avatar

Can you grab some Babyberry and Fox Glove while you’re out?

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Margaret Morgan's avatar

Shall do.

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Teresa Ritterhoff's avatar

"I'll see you there." -You sure will.

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Jennifer Barnett's avatar

I know this is true

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words that got away's avatar

it’s not a revolution without the witches. I loved this piece, grateful I found it (and you!) I’ll see you all in the circle 🌕 but in all seriousness, we need a Substack coven. I haven’t come across any yet. who’s gonna start it?

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jan desmet's avatar

beautiful picture by the way-thanks

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