This Makes Me Smile

I am only a handful of crappy humans interactions away from going absolutely feral and running away to some ancient forest and becoming a new local myth.

Do You Believe in Fate/Destiny?

I have gone back and forth on this question for over 15 years. I used to think like this: when the good fate happens, yes! When the bad fate happens, no. I find that the words Fate or Destiny are rooted in positivity and materialistic values, and I think many others will currently (or used to!) have the same belief that I once did that the Fates only arrive on the breeze with good news, never the bad or ugly. The more I delved into my practice by pouring time and soul into research, meditation, spirituality and witchcraft, the more I understood that fate or destiny isn’t always the light side of life, it encompasses the dark too. Do I now believe it exists? Wholly.

At this stage into my practice and reading, I have become aware that there are certain soul milestones we want to achieve before we come to Earth, but I don’t think these lessons are linear. They aren’t “supposed” to happen in a certain way at a specific time with the perfect people. They occur when they can, based on the choices that form the paths we take in life. Every choice we make matters. Each one makes an impact in one way or another, which means they can change the course of our futures and therefore the way in which we receive Divine Timing. The lessons will come either way, but the circumstances around it may change to lean more heavily into the positive or even perhaps the negative. We must learn the lesson either way. If we’re clever about it, we will able to check a few teachings off in one fell swoop and make a great leap forwards into greater circumstances than thought possible. A destiny that aligns with our heart and soul.

I don’t believe that fate works to give us what we want, I believe it does so to give us what we need. They are two very different things. For example, we may want a big, beautiful house in a big, beautiful neighbourhood, but what we need may be a small, rickety cabin where our soul feels comforted and warm. We may want lots of money to buy the things we think we “need”, but what we actually need is basic financial security to traverse safely through the human experience. It is wise to look between the lines of wants vs needs and act accordingly. Can we take a step back and ask ourselves what life lesson do we need to learn right now? Is there something we can do to change what our brains want into something our souls crave? Are we able to see so clearly that we can take charge of the smaller lessons too in the shadows of the large?

Sometimes it’s difficult to figure out what our current life lesson is, as it can arrive seemingly out of nowhere - this is where practices such as Tarot and Meditation come into play to help work it out. Sometimes it can takes weeks, months or even years to go through a soul milestone and it won’t always appear in the preferred way. But when it does arrive, it’s imperative to welcome it in and embrace the changes whether there are highs or lows; it’s an opportunity for growth no matter what. We are also able to ask the Universe to speed these fates along to aid us in reaching our highest good, and it will do so promptly! We are the Universe experiencing itself come alive; it wants us to traverse unknown territories, explore our feelings and wonderings, achieve great things, fall down in self-pity, move forwards, step backwards. Ask for help to speed things along and see where you end up.

For many big “fate/destiny” stepping stones, it can leave you feeling weak, blindsided and sat at rock bottom. But from the ashes rises the phoenix. Your plumage will be brighter, healthier, thicker. Your spirit and energy will be stronger, resilient and more capable of setbacks. Our soul will be craving knowledge which means we will want to experience more, get lost more, accept challenges more, step out of our comfort more. It’s a funny thing because at some point in the future unknown, we will find ourselves smiling through it all. We will know that we can join the predestined as an equal, a willing participant and a master of our fate.

Sorry, but the whole “Hector is wearing Achilles’ own armor, taken from my corpse. It looks, almost, as if Achilles is chasing himself.” part just has me thinking… Who is Achilles truly hunting down on that battlefield? The man who killed Patroclus, or the man who let Patroclus walk into his demise? Who is Achilles trying to punish? Who is he truly trying to kill? Hector or himself?

Follow where energy takes you. Find the path of the least resistance.

shaking six year old me by the shoulders YOU WERE RIGHT. YOU WERE RIGHT ABOUT LOVE AND ABOUT FAIRNESS AND ABOUT SHARING IS CARING. YOU WERE RIGHT. THE ADULTS DON’T KNOW ANY MORE ABOUT TRUTH THAN YOU DO. KEEP BELIEVING IN THE FAIRIES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE GARDEN. NOTHING IS “JUST THE WAY IT IS”. I AM SORRY THEY EVER CONVINCED YOU TO FEEL SHAME. YOU ARE REAL AND A PART OF THIS WORLD. YOU WERE RIGHT.

by Yulya Lapteva

Witch Crafts:  Witch Ball

Witch balls have been a part of pagan tradition for many years. Their purpose is to protect the home and its inhabitants from evil and harm.   Traditionally, you made a witch ball every year to seal fortune and protection for the next twelve months.  You can hang this ornament in a window, over a doorway, in a bedroom or even outdoors; wherever you feel it would serve its purpose the best. It would look lovely as a Christmas or Yule decoration as well!

You can purchase empty ornaments and bottles from craft stores, or re-use old light bulbs for this!  Fill it with the following:  

Sprigs of Lavender to encourage a calm, peaceful environment

Chamomile Flowers to aid in relieving anxiety

Yarrow, Roses and Rose Quartz crystals to encourage self-love and love in relationships

Jasmine Flowers to attract wealth  and sweet dreams

Cinnamon to draw happiness and  comfort

You could also include:

A seashell and a shark tooth to incorporate the magic of the sea

Curly pods (because they are so cute!)

Cloves to attract good luck and prosperity

Anise wards off the evil eye

Other tiny crystals for added energy

A bay leaf for protection

🐌 moodboard - kayla for anon