Cottage witchery

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[Collinsky]

Hi,
This is my first post in this forum... I was going to put it in the Witchcraft forum but of course I'm not a Full Member so I guess this is where it goes!! 

I have been reading a LOT about witchcraft the past couple days, and have been especially drawn to kitchen witchery/hedge witchery/etc. It is really a powerful pull. I don't exactly feel "qualified" for it, since I don't know if I have any innate talent for it or just an interest in it. (My oldest child, on the other hand, is a natural born kitchen witch. It's really quite amazing to me.) If it does turn out that I just have an interest in it, can it be learned? I'm 30, and have never ever ever even considered any kind of magick. Or witchery. And I'm not good at some of the things that seem to come naturally to cottage witches. 

My mother (I came out to her tonight as not only a non-Christian but as one exploring paganism and witchcraft, and she was wonderfully supportive!) said that it could be that these things were simply not nurtured in me, or even discouraged through negative parenting/household environment, and that I shouldn't let that keep me from learning more even as an adult. 

All I know is that no matter how "unfit" I feel to be a cottage witch, that is what is calling to me... for whatever reason.  Perhaps it's my path. Maybe it's just a step I need to take toward another path.

I would just really appreciate thoughts from those practicing any form of hedge witchery, encouragement, advice, ideas, honesty if I really should say, "If you have never been able to keep your home reasonably tidy and fit for guests for more than two days, you probably are not and cannot become a cottage witch." That sort of thing.

Thanks!

[Violet]

All I know is that no matter how "unfit" I feel to be a cottage witch, that is what is calling to me... for whatever reason.  Perhaps it's my path. Maybe it's just a step I need to take toward another path.

I dont practice hedge witchery myself, but i have read a little on it and like you I find it very interesting (though i cant speak for cottage or KW). My understanding of HW is that there is in many ways a lifestyle that accompanies that path. It is a path that is quite in step with nature and is very individualistic.

In any case finding a spiritual path is about constantly learning new things, even if it means taking baby steps or trying things your not sure are the right "fit". Work with the talents you know you have, explore paths that interest you and practice things you have trouble with. Few people find they are instantly great at something and if you do find that you really can't do something in particular, there's more than one way to skin a cat...

Have fun with it

[Aisling]

I would just really appreciate thoughts from those practicing any form of hedge witchery, encouragement, advice, ideas, honesty if I really should say, "If you have never been able to keep your home reasonably tidy and fit for guests for more than two days, you probably are not and cannot become a cottage witch." That sort of thing.

It sounds like your impression of a kitchen/cottage witch may be something akin to a pagan Martha Stewart (shuddering in horror at the thought!).  Others here may disagree, but practicing this kind of witchery doesn't mean that you have run a tidy house that could double for a B&B at a moment's notice.  In fact, most of the kitchen witches I've run across have households that could best be described as organized chaos, mine included. 

Why do you feel that you're unfit for it?  One does not need to be born with innate talent to have a meaningful practice and it's most definitely something that can be learned.  If you're interested in it and feel called to it, then it's definitely a path you'll want (need?) to explore further.  You may find that it isn't for you, but don't close the door on it before you've had a chance to learn more.  Just my two p.

[Syrbal]

All I know is that no matter how "unfit" I feel to be a cottage witch, that is what is calling to me... for whatever reason.  Perhaps it's my path. Maybe it's just a step I need to take toward another path.



Thanks!

If I get the gist of your post, you are saying that because you might be a bit untidy and you don't spend days in the kitchen, you think you are unfit?  Pish...nobody says it has to look like one of those silly mall-ware paintings of a thatched cottage in the sunset.  If you are minded to be a hedgewitch or a kitchenwitch, give it a try.  There is nothing to lose.  I am a hodge-podge myself, some of my practices get me called a hedgewitch (gods know why?!) and other things are conversely, very Hellenic. 

Nothing says you have to fit neatly in a book-defined pigeon-hole.  Make your own space and fill it as you like.

[rose]

Nothing says you have to fit neatly in a book-defined pigeon-hole.  Make your own space and fill it as you like.

That is certainly true, and sound advice. However, it hurts alot, and is somewhat scary, if you are coming from a place of starting entirely over, spiritually, and don't really have any bearings of how you want to be and who you are. I get the impression that is sort of where the OPer is coming from. At any rate, that is certainly where I have come from, in getting into my kitchen witchy-ness. It can feel lonely and different and personally, I frequently feel like a total freak in the world. But there is no point in not being who you really are, and maybe it will get easier over time. I am certainly not sorry, for changes I have made, and may have to make in the future, to support what I know to be true for me.

My favorite tarot card of all time is the Temperance card in the Halloween deck. I keep it on my refrigerator. It shows a classic halloween witch cooking up god knows what in her chaotic, colorful, wonderful kitchen. That is how I approach my craft, for the most part.

[Darkhawk]

I don't exactly feel "qualified" for it, since I don't know if I have any innate talent for it or just an interest in it. (My oldest child, on the other hand, is a natural born kitchen witch. It's really quite amazing to me.) If it does turn out that I just have an interest in it, can it be learned?

To the extent that I believe that 'innate talent' for this stuff exists, I mostly think it's completely irrelevant.  It's like saying something like, "I don't have an innate talent for playing the piano, but can I take lessons anyway?"

Most people don't have an innate talent for playing the piano, but that doesn't stop them from plunking out 'Heart and Soul' just fine, or even learning to be quite good if they work at it.

[Purplewitch]

It sounds like your impression of a kitchen/cottage witch may be something akin to a pagan Martha Stewart (shuddering in horror at the thought!).  ........  In fact, most of the kitchen witches I've run across have households that could best be described as organized chaos, mine included. 

Mine too!  
I always say - if they want Martha Stewart, (pagan or otherwise) they better damn well go look some place else! In the meantime, this is one kitchen witch who lives in perpetual organised chaos, keeps a house full of males fed, dressed, and mostly happy, and hasn't poisoned them yet

[Syrbal]

That is certainly true, and sound advice. However, it hurts alot, and is somewhat scary, if you are coming from a place of starting entirely over, spiritually, and don't really have any bearings of how you want to be and who you are. I get the impression that is sort of where the OPer is coming from.

True.  I guess the big question is, is it more painful to feel a temporary dislocation until one settles into one's own space comfortably,  or is it worse to try "fitting in" repeatedly only to find oneself constantly "out" of the picture because it is the wrong place? 

Just my own experience, but I find that is certain arenas of human endevour, EVERYthing hurts.  So one has to judge what one is willing to hurt FOR, and how much.  Muscles ache and tear in intense physical effort; minds strain to near-breaking, nothing says that spiritual growth is without cost either.  Pay the piper....or linger in limbo, that is pretty much it.  Moderation is great, but moderation is not stagnation by way of hesitation or fear.

[rose]

Moderation is great, but moderation is not stagnation by way of hesitation or fear.

Absolutely. Just trying the same things a different way is sometimes the key.

[soulfire]

I have been reading a LOT about witchcraft the past couple days, and have been especially drawn to kitchen witchery/hedge witchery/etc. It is really a powerful pull. I don't exactly feel "qualified" for it, since I don't know if I have any innate talent for it or just an interest in it. If it does turn out that I just have an interest in it, can it be learned? I'm 30, and have never ever ever even considered any kind of magick. Or witchery. And I'm not good at some of the things that seem to come naturally to cottage witches. 

It absolutely can be learned and you will be enriched by the process - even if you don't end up there in the end! 

A large part of my practice could be considered hedgewitchery, with some other things thrown in that are right for me.  But how I do it is different than a friend of mine who calls herself a hedgewitch.  Basically I would say to get familiar with those magical practices/methods you are comfortable with, start using them and don't worry about what to call it.

[Collinsky]

It sounds like your impression of a kitchen/cottage witch may be something akin to a pagan Martha Stewart (shuddering in horror at the thought!).  Others here may disagree, but practicing this kind of witchery doesn't mean that you have run a tidy house that could double for a B&B at a moment's notice.  In fact, most of the kitchen witches I've run across have households that could best be described as organized chaos, mine included. 

Why do you feel that you're unfit for it?  One does not need to be born with innate talent to have a meaningful practice and it's most definitely something that can be learned.  If you're interested in it and feel called to it, then it's definitely a path you'll want (need?) to explore further.  You may find that it isn't for you, but don't close the door on it before you've had a chance to learn more.  Just my two p.

LOL I guess I was kind of thinking of a "pagan Martha Stewart"!! I was thinking, what would I do if someone said, Look, if you were any kind of hedge witch, you'd have known from early on in life. And I knew I'd still pursue it, and take what blessings it brought me anyway.

Thank you so much for your encouragement!

[Collinsky]

However, it hurts alot, and is somewhat scary, if you are coming from a place of starting entirely over, spiritually, and don't really have any bearings of how you want to be and who you are. I get the impression that is sort of where the OPer is coming from.

Yes, that's where I'm at right now. So while I feel excited, and a certain sense of overwhelming sureness -- I also feel vulnerable in a way that I haven't before. Before, I knew exactly what I believed, and how to practice my beliefs. I knew all the words to explain to others what I thought, and both how to defend where I was different and how to find common ground. So now all that's gone and I kind of feel exposed. And kind of childlike in starting over. Which in a way is good, because it's fresh and untainted and open. But also uncomfortable since I've not felt like a child for a long time.

I am feeling so encouraged by everyone. Whatever higher power is in the Universe, I am only getting positive signs that I need to be doing what I'm doing and continuing this way.

[Purplewitch]

LOL I guess I was kind of thinking of a "pagan Martha Stewart"!! I was thinking, what would I do if someone said, Look, if you were any kind of hedge witch, you'd have known from early on in life. And I knew I'd still pursue it, and take what blessings it brought me anyway.

Thank you so much for your encouragement!

If it's any consolation, my SiL will always be a 'better' (more martha like) than me - and I long ago stopped trying to live up to her lol
Chances are, anyone who tells you stuff like that, or that you're not martha-enough, probably isn't worth listening to anyway! Do what you need to do, what you want to do, and enjoy it!!

[Collinsky]

It absolutely can be learned and you will be enriched by the process - even if you don't end up there in the end! 

I want to say again, thank you to everyone who has replied. It has helped me immensely to recenter and just take it a day at a time. I know I'm on the right path, even if I can't know the destination just yet!  I wanted to reply to each of you individually and tell you You Rock but that seemed like so much thread-clutter... 

[Aisling]

And I knew I'd still pursue it, and take what blessings it brought me anyway.

As well you should! 

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