Lorri@Mabon_House 7/3/23 Lorri@Mabon_House 7/3/23

Book Review: The Way of the Hedge Witch

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As I’ve noted before I don’t really identify as a witch per se, but there are definitely elements of witchcraft, healing and magick that I routinely embrace as part of my own spiritual path and desire to connect more with nature. As such, I do a lot of reading for both personal growth and also for content here on Mabon House. So I thought it would be nice to create some reviews of my favorite books. First up is The Way of the Hedge Witch - Rituals and Spells for Hearth & Home by Arin Murphy-Hiscock.

The Way of the Hedge Witch is an excellent book for those looking for easy ways to enhance their spiritual practice and connect with nature. Throughout the book, Murphy-Hiscock's wisdom and insights provides a comprehensive understanding of the ancient traditions of a hedge witch, which I found both helpful and inspiring. .

What I liked most about the book was Murphy-Hiscock's ability to make complex concepts accessible. I appreciated her clear explanations of the origins and history of hedge witchery and how she guides the reader through the rituals, tools, and spellwork associated with this path.

Murphy-Hiscock's emphasis on the importance of connecting with nature deeply resonated with me. Her exploration of the bond between hedge witchcraft and the natural world explained the significance of plants, animals, and the elements. The practical exercises she provided allows the reader to forge a stronger relationship with nature and its profound wisdom, which is something I certainly aspire to.

The Way of the Hedge Witch is an excellent resource on herbalism and healing, specifically. Murphy-Hiscock's wealth of knowledge on herbs and their properties enriched my understanding of their magical and medicinal uses. The inclusion of recipes for potions, teas, and salves. And while I don’t do much with DIY herbology, I did appreciate how she demonstrated ways to incorporate this practice into my own spiritual journey, if I decide to try it out later on.

If you’re looking for some general information about incorporating nature into your own practice, The Way of the Hedge Witch is a good addition to your library. Arin Murphy-Hiscock's expertise and passion shine through, making this book an indispensable guide for both beginners and experienced practitioners.

What are some of your favorite books for connecting with nature and following your own spiritual path?

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Lorri@Mabon_House 6/1/23 Lorri@Mabon_House 6/1/23

Celebrating Your Divine Feminine

As we move toward the beginning of Summer, it is a good time for celebrating the fertility and abundance of the earth. It’s also an opportunity for women to celebrate their own divine feminine power through connection to self, nature and community. For myself, I am especially keen on how to connect with my inner goddess as I move from Mother to Crone. As I’ve mentioned before on this blog, I find this time in my life to be one of the most interesting and exciting season to be in.

Yes, I am getting older and new problems and concerns are popping up (hello Perimenopause). But overall this season of my life is one for the most enjoyable so far. I have more time for my own endeavors. I have more money to spend on myself. I feel beautiful in a way that my younger, more conventionally-attractive-self never felt. And I am slowly learning what it means to really take care of my body, mind and soul.

I think that no matter what season of life we are in, it’s important to stay connected with ourselves and the world around us. So here are some ideas that are designed to be easy and free, to help you celebrate high Spring and connect your divine feminine power.

Connect with nature

The season of Litha is a time when the natural world is bursting with new life and energy, so it's a great time to connect with nature and soak up some of that vibrant energy. You might take a walk in the woods, sit in a garden or park, or spend some time by a stream or river. As you do, try to be fully present and mindful, taking in all the sights, sounds, and smells around you. Longtime Mabon House Newsletter subscribers know that I typically start all of my Mabon House letters with an update on the weather and the state of my gardens. This isn’t just because I’m a Mainer and we love talking about the weather. Incorporating what I see, hear, and experience in nature is one of the ways I connect with the world around me. Being outside brings me peace, provides inspiration and fills with me joy. And sharing this with others is a way that I connect with my community.

Create a sacred space

Creating a sacred space is a powerful way to honor the divine and connect with your own inner goddess. You might set up an altar with candles, crystals, and other sacred objects, or create a special outdoor space for meditation or ritual. As you do, think about the intentions and desires you want to manifest in your life and focus on them with intention and purpose.

I don’t usually put up an altar as a sacred space, but rather I like to keep the common areas in my home tidy and beautiful. This typically includes my kitchen, dining space, living room and winter sitting room. Over the years I’ve developed my own cleaning ritual (for lack of a better word) that I will do once or twice a month. This ritual includes: I only clean when I am home alone; sometimes there is music involved, but often it is just me and my thoughts; if weather permits, I open all the windows to let the negative energy out; I add/change/remove furniture and décor with each season. And then once I am done, I sit and enjoy the space with a cup of tea. There is something about a freshly cleaned space that makes me feel grounded and energized at the same time.

Connect with your body

As women our bodies go through many changes and challenges, and it's important to connect with and honor our physical selves. You might take a yoga or dance class, go for a hike or bike ride, or simply spend some time stretching and breathing. As you do, focus on your body and how it feels in the moment, celebrating its strength and resilience.

I am not someone who is naturally inclined to exercise, so any physical activity I do needs to be something that I enjoy, such as walking or yoga. I’ve recently started lifting weights because I was just feeling really weak and I thought it would be good for some back issues I’ve been dealing with. Plus, I figured why not try something different? And you know what I’ve discovered? I am actually able to connect with my body far more lifting weights that anything else I’ve tried thus far. During yoga, I’m often just going through the motions, wishing it was done and/or ruminating. When lifting weights my mind is completely focused on form and breathing and counting the reps. Will I be all jacked and stacked for summer? Absolutely not.

*side note - I am not a medical or fitness professional. This is just my experience. Please don’t start any new exercise routines without first consulting your own health care provider.

Celebrate your sensuality

Beltane is a celebration of fertility and sensuality, and it's a wonderful opportunity for women in to embrace their own sensual power. You might wear something that makes you feel beautiful and confident, or indulge in a sensual activity like a massage or a bath. As you do, focus on the pleasure and joy that comes from embracing your sensuality. A lot can be said for treating yourself to a new bra and underwear set. That’s all I’m going to say on this one. ;)

Connect with other women

Connecting with other women is a powerful way to celebrate your divine feminine power and build a sense of community and support. You might organize a Beltane ritual or celebration with other women in your community, or simply spend time with close friends, sharing stories and experiences. As you do, think about the ways in which your own experiences and challenges are shared by other women, and celebrate the power and resilience of the sisterhood. I keep a very small circle of close friends. But we have seen one another through all the ups and downs of life, from becoming mothers, to divorce, to deaths of loved ones. We celebrate and commiserate together and find strength from one another.

Honor your ancestors

Beltane is a time when we honor the ancestors and those who came before us, and it's a wonderful opportunity for women to connect with their own ancestral roots. You might create an ancestral altar with photos or other objects that remind you of your ancestors, or simply spend some time reflecting on their lives and the gifts they have passed down to you.

For some of you, looking back on your family tree may not be an option, or there may be generational trauma that makes it difficult to celebrate where you come from. That was kind of the case for me. When I dug into my family tree, what I found was a lot of women mired in huge families (8-9+ children) with no money, abusive husbands and many of them dying young from things like tuberculosis. And because I do not buy into the patriarchal view that there is nobility in poverty or that the good die young, my family tree just made me kind of sad. It just seemed so full of wasted potential. I think the word ancestor can conjure up images of mythical people from long ago, whose genes we just happen to carry. But the reality is that the women who came before us were regular humans just like us. They had their own mixed bag of experiences. I appreciate all of my great grandmothers and beyond - they are literally the reason I am here. So to honor them, I try to live the life that they - and ALL women- deserved.

Embrace your creativity

Summertime is a time of abundance and creativity, and it's a wonderful opportunity for women to embrace their own creative power. You might try a new art form or craft, write a poem or song, or simply spend some time in nature, letting your imagination run wild. As you do, celebrate the power and beauty of your own unique creativity, and honor the gifts you have to offer the world. Read more about tapping into your own creativity here.

The season of Litha is a powerful time of year for women to celebrate their own divine feminine power and connect with the natural world. By embracing our sensuality, creativity, and connection with others, we can honor the ancestors and the gifts they have passed down to us, while also looking forward to the abundance and joy that lies ahead.

How do you like to connect with your inner goddess?

Intentional Living Idea List

This week’s featured printable is a new idea list designed to help you incorporate some intentional actions into your daily routines. I feel fortunate that in my current season of life I have more freedom and time than I did when I was actively parenting. There were days when I was in the thick of raising my four kids when I felt like the only time I had for myself was going to the bathroom. But even now, on the cusp of an empty nest, I find myself constantly reminded of how easy it is to get caught up in the daily grind and let life devolve into mindless social media scrolling and binge watching Netflix.

This one-page printable checklist is designed to help you incorporate small doses of intention into your daily routine, as ay of making each day more mindful and fulfilling.

Take a few deep breaths before starting any task or activity. If you sit at a desk most of the day, try getting up and moving around on a regular basis.
Make time for yourself to do things that make you happy.
Practice mindful eating by chewing slowly, savoring each bite, and paying attention to the taste, texture, and aroma of your food.
Incorporate mindful movement into your daily routine, such as walking or stretching. Choose activities that you enjoy and make you feel energized, rather than depleted.
Take breaks throughout the day to stretch, move, or simply rest your mind.
Practice self-compassion by speaking kindly to yourself and acknowledging that it's okay to make mistakes or have bad day.
Set boundaries to protect your time, energy, and well-being.
Practice getting comfortable saying no and practice asking others for help.
Try a mindfulness meditation. This could be a breathing exercise, yoga or just sitting quietly in a peaceful space. Start with 5-10 minutes and increase a couple of minutes each day. Focus on your breath and bring your attention back to the present moment whenever your mind wanders. Note how you feel after each practice.

You can print out this checklist and keep it in a visible place as a reminder to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine. I hope you like it!