I was at ease with calling myself a “witchy” woman, however during my visit to Glastonbury I had a huge wobble in my confidence. Thankfully I think it was exactly what I needed to experience to come out the other side with a much stronger belief in myself - and exactly what witchcraft looks like in my life.
We stepped out from a rabbit warren alleyway of small businesses - art shops, vintage clothing, crystals and a shop that offered tarot and palmistry readings - straight onto a high street that was slow coming to life with a whiff of incense in the air. I was instantly drawn to the energy that seemed to differ from any place I have been in the past, but having watched so many tik tok videos that shared the view that Glastonbury had a complete and utter spiritual vibe of it’s on, I didn’t feel it wasn’t as magical as I was expecting.
Glastonbury Grifters.
Perhaps it was my own fault for being drawn to the craft fair, down an ally where a funny old chap told us we were welcome to go inside but he couldn’t promise we would make it out. No sooner had I stepped foot into the hall, I was accustomed by a hippy looking older lady with dreadlocks piled up on her head. She started to tell me about the benefits of Magnesium Sulphate (aka Epsom salts), with a convincing sales pitch around the anti-inflammatory magical powers it possesses. I found myself eyeballing her weathered face and wondering if she considered herself to be a witch, an eco-warrior or just a bit of an old time Glasto hippy.
She informs me I can have the packet for a mere £5 right on que for my “everyone needs to make a living” guilt to kick in. I fished around in my purse for a fiver. Obviously being eco-friendly I didn’t get given a printout of the instructions or benefits – Instead she asks me to whip my phone out and take a photo of her own tatty page. Of course, this gives her the opportunity to move on to her next big must have… It was Shungite - The Ultimate EMF Shield apparently.
This little circle of crystal would, so legend has it, protect me from electromagnetic fields which are making me stressed, tired, anxious and at risk of serious health problems. It has been found to be useful in absorbing and reducing the EMF which is in my environment.
I played completely dumb while she asked me if I would like a demonstration of how it worked. She took my phone and her crystal pendulum out, telling me if it was to swing back and forth it was out of the EMF and if it was to swing side to side it was in the EMF…or something along those lines. Only I watched her make the tiny micro movement with her own hand to set the pendulum swinging in a different way. Even the Gods themselves must have rolled their eyes and quietly exclaimed “We saw that”.
I smiled and politely made my excuses that I would have a think about it and pop back later. We all know I was not going to pop back, and the Gods had just given me a high five on escaping a true Glastonbury grifter.
As we stepped back out into the street, Ian chuckled and put his arm around me… his little naïve wife, who clearly is ever so slightly wet behind the ears. We both agreed by the end of our time in Glastonbury that there are a lot of people making a living out of the Avalon vibe. From the singing goddesses to the man walking around in some funky looking trousers that in reality could have been his bedsheet cleverly wrapped around his legs, with his matching pillowcase as a turban, many of the locals seem to be wandering around in a spiritual (or cannabis) haze.
There are some very serious witchcraft shops selling candles, herbs, and everything you need for a good spell or two – but in all honesty whilst they smelt amazing, and were interesting to browse, some of these shops intimidated me and hence the witchy wobble started to bubble away.
Toil and Trouble
I was a little deflated as we headed back to the lodge. Whilst I did indeed find Glastonbury a fun place to be, I realised that when I do return, I was going to need to be more aligned with my true self and have at least figured out myself as a witch.
I reflected a lot that evening… and have continued to since then regarding my craft.
I figured out I what I really had to do was accept myself and my own practices as being individual to me alone. I am not a hedge witch, a kitchen witch or a witch that operates within a coven. I am more solitude, more chaos, and more eclectic. However, in reality I don’t need to fit into any of these “types” at all.
I am hoping to simply live my life using the natural talents that have been gifted to me, like my intuition, healing nature and creativity. Embracing these traits and giving myself the opportunity to practice more is really all I need to do. I can learn and understand what matters to me and leave aside some of the practices that I don’t align with.
If I want to dress up witchy I will. If I get lost in books, and swoon over broomsticks, that is how it is! I don’t need to prove I know my herbs or can pull a list of spells out of my sleeve for every eventuality. My feelings of insecurity came from a place where I felt I should fit in, but didn’t, initially I based this on a lack of knowledge, but in fact it’s more a lack of interest and attraction in certain areas of witchcraft.
Currently my own practice includes Tarot and oracle card readings, setting intentions, honouring the cycle of the moon, using candles and incense to help calm my soul, journaling and creativity and activating magic without the need for tools (which only clutter up the spare space I have!) I am also learning more and finding out more about what I like and dislike. I work on thoughts and feelings and being intuitive – in other words listening to my gut!
The most important thing to me right now is letting my inner witch come out to play, however she wants to and fully enjoy what comes!
Add comment
Comments