My Witchy Roots

I self-initiated into the Wicca tradition on the Spring Equinox of 2005. I was 24 and so excited! I had managed to get hold of a green cloak and had packed my bag the night before. I left before dawn and walked to the nearest green space, which happened to be Alexandra Park in London. If you were walking your dog there that morning you might have spotted a be-dreadlocked young witch singing to herself in the bushes, lavishly scattering a multitude of grains around the place whilst trying to keep a candle alight in the morning dew. 

I took another leap of allegiance in 2008 when I had the pentacle symbol etched into my thigh through a process known as scarification. I know right?! Intense. It didn’t hurt as much as having a tattoo, surprisingly. So, my witchy roots go deep I guess. I could talk about my dad’s girlfriend during my teenage years, who had a tremendous effect on my expanding spirit. Or my Grandma, who despite being a dutiful church-goer her whole life has a strong intuitive streak. And then there was the tarot deck in the bookcase of my childhood, forbidden to touch, unspoken about, but given freely to me when I asked, as an adult. 

What does it mean to have witchcraft in my roots? I have at my disposal a wide base of knowledge regarding pagan ritual, rites, traditional and seasonal festivals, dedications, herbs, symbolism and of course the ever enigmatic practice of magick. Not all clients are interested in this, which is fine.  If you are a computer programmer, a chef or an engineer you might never have had any need for such information! But as a ceremony-writer I feel our ancestry and cultural heritage should at the very least influence my work in order for it to be meaningful and evocative. And that is of course why we all opt for ceremonies at various points in our lives: We want meaning, we want connection, we want depth. And I love this about all people, whether they have their own witchy roots or not.  

Clare is an independent celebrant who specialises in bespoke ceremonies. Visit I Do Declare for more details.