Being told on how to be a witch
Being told on how to walk the path the RIGHT way or your not a witch really gets my goat. The following is just an example, but can be used for any other subject. A witch must know about herbs and how to heal with them. My friend for example is not into herbs at all, so why should she force herself to do something that doesn’t feel right to her? Also, here in Germany we have very strict laws on healing. Unless you are a doctor or a trained alternative practitioner you are NOT allowed to even heal a simple headache without getting into trouble for it. How many other witches feel pushed into learning about herbs, learn it half-hearted and might even do more damage than good? Maybe not on purpose, but once the damage is done, than what? We have to keep in mind that times have moved on since the good all days where the witch was the all-round talent. We find so many well trained alternative practitioners that we can turn to for help nowadays that I can’t really see the problem if a witch doesn’t want to get to deep into herbs. That does NOT mean she is worth any less to me. Everybody has their areas of interest and should try to make the best out of it. Others need to have their fingers in everything: crystals, herbs, runes, tarot, essential oils ……. Again, each to their own, but please don’t make anybody feel bad about their chosen path or interests.
September 13, 2008 at 7:31 pm
I agree, I don’t understand people who insist that this or that must be done or you’re not a real witch. My teacher covers every topic she can think of during her year & a day teachings and really encourages her students to try everything to see what they connect with/what works best for them; I’ve always appreciated that she teaches this way and realize that I am lucky to have had a teacher who was this way.
I know of another witch who has very strict rules regarding the craft when she teaches– for instance, your BOS has to be a BOUND book, unlined pages, everything in it has to be handwritten AND she tells you what is required to be in it, as well. I say, No thank you!
As for herbs though, I personally use them quite a bit, just not in any medicinal kind of way– I put them in amulets, sachets, poppets, grind them up and put them in candles, herbals baths, teas, use them for smudging and asperging, altar decoration… Not that this will help anyone who just doesn’t have an affinity to working with them, but thought I’d mention it!
Sorry to leave such a long comment, but your post got me thinking. That’s good, right?
September 15, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Owlish,
please feel free to write as much as you like. I am grateful to see that you took the time to share your own experiences with others.
I think that the teachers that are to strict take away the individuality of their student to mould them in their own image. Teach, guide but then let go and let the student make their own choices. Let them find their own path. Suffocating them shows the teachers own insecurity. “How dare you questioning me”? There is standing up for your own believes which is fine, but people also need the ability to respect other people’s point of views.
What you have listed here are basically the same areas where I use the herbs too. If treated with respect it is a safer approach then working with them as medication. Safety should always come first, for others but also yourself.
Thank you very much for your time.