A practical witch is someone who practices witchcraft in a practical manner. They focus on the everyday aspects of witchcraft and incorporate it into their daily lives. Practical witches believe in the power of intention and focus on using their magic for practical purposes, such as self-improvement, healing, and problem-solving. Unlike some other forms of witchcraft that may focus on elaborate rituals or ceremonial magic, practical witchcraft is often simple and accessible. It can involve using herbs, crystals, candles, and other everyday objects to channel energy and manifest desires. Practical witches may also incorporate divination tools, such as tarot cards or pendulums, into their practice to gain insight and guidance.
So, even though you might be able to magically sense the world around you, that doesn’t mean you let just anyone know what you’re thinking (and most importantly, feeling). You might bottle up your feelings until they become dangerous to you or others, because you feel them so much that you might be a little afraid of what would happen if you let them out. You’re a deep well, and depending on what’s down at the bottom, you may not even want to look at it yourself, let alone let anyone else in there. And here’s the tough part: Gemini has an incredible memory, and can often remember faces or names of people or things from ages ago. But Gemini usually lets go of feelings pretty easily, especially traumatic ones. But you have that old Cancer moon just next to you, and Cancer does not let go of feelings (at all). Unfortunately it means that if you have suffered trauma in your early life, you are likely to carry it with you, and you might carry vivid memories of it as well. You’ll also carry pain, and that pain can become the thing that defines you if you aren’t careful. It’s a tough thing to manage: a lot of people who suffer trauma often shield themselves from it, even unconsciously, and can have gaps or blank spaces in their memories as a way to protect themselves. You often aren’t so lucky, and your pain sits just below the surface of you. It’s a burden you tend to want to carry alone, so even when you love people you try to protect them from your own pain. And you’re good at it- many of your closest friends might not know what you’re feeling, even if they sense that sometimes you’re not doing so well.
There are even people that I have met only once or twice that, despite all reason and logic, I have felt that cliched yet entirely true sensation that I had known them all my life. She might not have been psychic, but she was right about me after a few weeks of bluffing on the street corner, I could tell by the way someone walked if they were a Sagittarius or a Taurus, and I could see the unmistakable forehead crease of an Aries from down the block.
Practical witches may also incorporate divination tools, such as tarot cards or pendulums, into their practice to gain insight and guidance. One of the main principles of practical witchcraft is adaptability. Practical witches understand that life is constantly changing and that their magic needs to adapt to these changes.
Magical Coffee
This recipe was inspired by a drink I love at a local café. (Theirs is "magic coffee.") After my first taste, I went home and immediately started tweaking a recipe. They brew the coffee hot, but since it was summer and I am lazy, I wanted to use a cold-brewed coffee base, and I started with a recipe from the New York Times. There's lots of room for variation depending on what flavors you like—I did a Scandinavian version with white sugar, almond extract, and crushed fennel seeds too. —ErinH
Test Kitchen Notes
"One of those recipes that's a great concept rather than a precise formula, ErinH's iced coffee takes inspiration from both her local coffee house and Mexican café de olla. Adding a teaspoon of cinnamon and a few spoonfuls of dark brown sugar to the coffee as it cold-brews gives it a lush sweetness and a hit of warmth. After a night in the fridge, you strain the coffee and pour it over ice cubes. Then comes the cream. (Or milk, depending on your mood.) And then, as ErinH says, you 'die of happiness.' We loved this iteration and think her 'Scandinavian version' (using almond extract and fennel) sounds like a winner too." –A&M
"When we talk about new and better ways to brew coffee, we usually talk about new methods (like cold-brewing, or new machinery)—but today I need to talk about a coffee that’s all about the ingredients. It’s called magical coffee, and it’s going to change the way you think about iced coffee. What makes this coffee so special is the use of cinnamon, a brewing method popular in Morocco and the Middle East that adds spice and complexity to even the most basic cup of coffee. Coupled with a few tablespoons of dark brown sugar, the flavors in this overnight recipe are so much more than the sum of its parts. In the morning, add the milk or cream—or add a Scandinavian touch, as the recipe’s originator does, with fennel and almond extract—and there’s your magical coffee. The heat in this rich and full-bodied cold brew will wake you up like nothing else. What really makes this coffee magical, though, is how forgiving and adaptable it is. If you like, try cardamom in place of cinnamon, or both! And if you like a more velvety formula, do as the Vietnamese do, and use condensed milk instead of cream. No matter how you make it, the end result is something so delicious, it tastes like witchcraft." –Karen Lo
"Every so often you eat something magical. Something so special you can’t decide between taking your time to savor it, or chewing it as fast as possible so you can swallow it, so you can tell everyone around you just how good it is. These are mystical moments, far and few between. The experience of drinking this Magical Coffee is just that. Community member ErinH, who originally graced our site with the recipe, says she got it from a nearby cafe. But it's so good, we’re prone to thinking that maybe it came to her in a vision. Is it magic because it tastes amazing? Or because it’s so wildly simple to make? We're thinking a little of each. She starts by mixing coffee grounds, freshly grated cinnamon, and a pinch of brown sugar in a jar. These get covered in water and left alone for a night of beauty sleep. The next day, she pours the content through a sieve and into a tall glass of ice. She adds some milk or creamer (drinker's choice). And for the adventurous, Erin recommends a Scandinavian twist with almond extract and fennel seeds. You may be thinking: This is too easy. Well, it is! And it's a good thing. It's beautiful, in fact. In a world of hard things, maybe there's relief in knowing that this one easy thing really works. It sits all night, waiting for you in the morning, to wake up to and pour. And with that first sip, you're almost guaranteed to start your day feeling pretty magical yourself." –Valerio Farris
A perfect pick-me-up any time of the day, this coffee method relies on a low-effort cold brew, which also allows all the lovely flavor to imbue overnight as it rests. We love the suggestion of fennel and almond, as fennel provides a dark licorice-like, slightly savory flavor that's perfect foil to the sweet, marzipan-esque notes of almond extract. —Food52
- Test Kitchen-Approved
I still don’t know how true it all is, or if that even matters, but what I do know is that over time I learned how to read and interpret astrological charts so well that I turned it into a job myself at certain points, though now I mostly reserve it for friends and family as a birthday gift. I also learned that inevitably, I am drawn to and find that some of my closest friends seem to cluster around a certain period of time that astrology likes to call the cusp of magic.
They are resourceful and find creative ways to use their magic in everyday situations. For example, a practical witch may use a protection spell before going on a trip or use a manifestation spell to attract a specific job opportunity. Another important aspect of practical witchcraft is personal responsibility. Practical witches understand that their magic is a tool and that they are ultimately responsible for their actions and how they use their power. They believe in the importance of ethical witchcraft and strive to use their magic for good, avoiding harm towards others. Practical witches often have a strong connection to nature and the cycles of the earth. They may celebrate the changing of seasons, perform rituals during full moons or new moons, and work with the energy of the natural world. They may also incorporate eco-friendly practices in their craft, such as using sustainable materials and ensuring that their magic does not harm the environment. Overall, being a practical witch means incorporating witchcraft into everyday life in a practical and accessible way. It means using magic as a tool for personal growth, problem-solving, and manifesting positive change. Practical witches understand the power of intention, adaptability, and personal responsibility, and strive to use their magic for the greater good..
Reviews for "Incorporating Rituals into Daily Practices: Practical Witchcraft for Growth and Transformation"
- Karen - 2 stars - I found "What is a practical witch" to be quite disappointing. I was expecting a book that would provide practical tips and advice for those interested in becoming a witch. However, I found the content to be more focused on theoretical discussions and historical information. While it was interesting to learn about the origins of witchcraft, it didn't fulfill my expectations in terms of providing practical guidance. I would recommend this book to those looking for a historical overview of witchcraft, but not to those seeking practical information.
- John - 1 star - I struggled to find any value in "What is a practical witch". The author seemed more interested in promoting their own beliefs and ideas about witchcraft, rather than actually providing practical information. The content was often repetitive and lacked depth. Additionally, I found the writing style to be dry and uninspiring. Overall, I was very disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone seeking practical guidance on witchcraft.
- Sarah - 2 stars - As someone who is new to witchcraft, I was hoping that "What is a practical witch" would be a helpful guide. Unfortunately, I found the content to be quite confusing and hard to follow. The author jumped between different concepts without explaining them properly, leaving me feeling lost and frustrated. I also didn't appreciate the constant use of jargon and technical terms without providing clear definitions. Overall, this book was not helpful for beginners like myself and I would not recommend it.