Audacious Gypsy Adventures

You’d likely be surprised to learn that I was born and raised southern Baptist, and continued that path for many years through my twenties, even leading a women’s bible study, teaching youth group and teaching Sunday school class for more than four years. I’ve even been baptized. Twice. But I can’t very well begin sharing with you the magical journey I am on without telling you how I got from there…. to here, now can I?!

Growing up, I was the odd girl out who was silly, loud, quirky and oddly drawn to animals. All animals. If it was nearby, we became friends. I spent more time with the dogs, cats, birds and lizards than I did with other children and all animals seemed to be at ease with me, as well. Every opportunity I had was spent outside, even if it was to just sit outside and read. I was stubborn and outspoken, often misunderstood and labeled as chaos, or as the family term goes “the tornado”.

My relationship with the church was a roller coaster-at best. My parents prayed on holidays before a meal, but I have no early recollection of religion outside of this from them. My earliest memories of going to an organized church was going on Sundays with our next door neighbors in 3rd grade. I continued to attend that church for years to come, participating in children’s church all the way up through youth group in my middle and high school years. I was highly faithful, but rebellious by nature through those years of revivals, camps, weekly (if not more) meetings and service every Sunday. Through those years I had my doubts, but I always decided it was because I didn’t know all of the answers. So, in my true-self proclaimed-nerd form, I started digging. I studied the Bible, I studied many writings and perspectives as well as religious history as a whole. This continued for YEARS. As I studied, some things became more clear for me, but there were always holes for me I still couldn’t fill.

In 2018, I began a long divorce process, moving away from my church and support system ending my teachings in that church and halting any research and faith building I was participating in. That summer was as wild as possibly imaginable to include drugs, alcohol and sex. I spent most of that summer lost, attempting to rediscover myself and sewing wild oats. I, also, spent that summer with weekly trips to the beach sitting in the sand under the moonlight. It was like that spot on that beach was a giant magnet connected directly to my soul, pulling me closer at every opportunity. It was the only place I found peace.

Over the next couple of years I got remarried and the military moved us to a new state. I quickly found churches in the area and began going to services, longing for companionship and friendship. No church I walked into felt comfortable. During summer 2020 I had a conversation with another person about Catholic faith that sparked my inner nerd, and the research began yet again. I dove in head first, learning- reading and trying to understand. I even started attending mass and classes required to convert. Although I was at another point in my life where I was absorbing knowledge and connecting more and more pieces, something was still pulling at my heart about the gaps in Christianity that could only be filled with “you have to have faith”, “you just have to know he is God”. In my mind, everything else had to have a clearly understood reason why or it was to be disbelieved and stricken away. So why are these areas of Christianity the exception? (There will be a post in the future about these gaps, this is an umbrella explanation of many doubts in my faith.)

Fast forward a few months and my second divorce commenced, leading me back to my home town and back to my support system. But I was different. And I saw things differently. Summer 2022 rolls around, and this time I spent time alone running on trails, the more woods or water around the path the better. I spent time in my own thoughts, focusing on my feelings, healing and growing and allowing myself to be pulled by spirit. The next year would bring me a huge job opportunity, and begin the shift in my soul.

I started this new job, again feeling lost and looking to find myself. There was a passing conversation about religion one day with a Pagan- and yet again, it sparked my natural born inner nerd. I started reading and absorbing every ounce of information I could get my hands on. Early on in this research I remember feeling like I had just embarked upon a beautiful journey, as all of the missing pieces started to fall into place in my mind around religion.

Once I was ready, I started visiting metaphysical stores and found I was drawn to many areas of the craft, particularly crystals, herbs and candles. I started meditating, and I set up an altar. I researched deities and started listening to the call, and following the path I was headed down. My path started out heavily Wiccan.

For the first time, EVER, I felt comfortable. Confident. Part of a whole, regardless of practicing independently, instead of having a hole… the void was no longer present. I was communing with nature and animals and I knew I was finally where I was meant to be. Animals became more than just receptive of me, but they seaked me out, which even led to the nickname ‘Snow White’ as time and time again coworkers saw this as well.

There was never any evidence of witches in my bloodline, so I took the steps to be initiated as a Pagan Witch in October 2023. I assumed this was going to be a difficult transition as I announced this news to all of my Christian family and friends, but much to my shock it wasn’t. A few people said they’d pray for me, as to be expected. Most people cheered me on and loved me just as hard as they ever had, encouraging to follow the path I was being called on.

I started with basic protection spells, jar spells to be exact. I LOVE a good jar spell! Slowly my craft grew to herbal magic, stone magic, tarot card pulls, cord cuttings, and beyond. I have always been incredibly fascinated by Celtic history, deities and magic. My craft and path have evolved exponentially and I have solidified myself into the path of a solitary eclectic witch. Though I enjoy discussions about the craft with fellow witches, my craft is very personal and lead by my soul-not to mention I tend to be alone with my familiars. The one thing that hasn’t evolved in my craft is I have stuck strong to never doing a spell that sends out negative energy. Even a return to sender, I refuse to push negative energy into the world, even if it isn’t mine.

Through the last year, I have had a strong suspicion I was a natural born witch, and someone in my bloodline hid it for decades. Not only do I possess a magic straight from my heart, all of the signs are present. So I decided to reach out to my oldest sister, on my biological father’s side. I was pleasantly surprised to find she herself is a practicing witch! Although there is no confirmation….yet…. She is inclined to believe our father’s grandma may have been an herbal witch based on actions, things in her home and her use of herbs in all aspects of her life. She just so happens to also be…. Irish…. As she described her to me I had to wonder, is this it? Is this the string to the craft I was always being pulled down??

Today I sit before you, feeling more connected to my roots, my craft and my calling. When I was starting out, it was difficult to figure things out so this blog is to serve as an informational hot spot mixed with a little magic and a dash of encouragement.

See ya on the path!