The Return to Magic: Following the breadcrumbs back to self.

I have always been drawn to the esoteric and the magical threads that weave through life. In my younger years, I was drawn to things like the fae, tarot cards, magic spells, and exploring small patches of woods in my neighborhood. Somewhere in my late teens and early 20s, I shut it all off. I focused on being “normal” and dismissed my earlier “childish” interests so I would fit in with the crowd. In doing so, I locked away my belief in magic and with it, any chance of true spiritual connection. I assimilated to the patriarchal, soul-repressing societal march. I wanted others to accept me even if it meant stepping out of my power and into an ill-fitting costume, betraying who I really was. 

When I discovered yoga, it seemed I found a small piece of magic for myself again. I set off down the mystic’s path, and a few years later, an Ayurveda training unexpectedly carried me to the path of the witch. It was the emphasis on the seasons that answered my call, like a river winding back to its source. These paths have been braided together into one for me, but the reclaiming of the word witch is a powerful distinction to make– it is a taking back of one's own power.

an Ayurveda training unexpectedly carried me to the path of the witch. It was the emphasis on the seasons that answered my call, like a river winding back to its source.

Through Ayurveda, I discovered ritucharya and dinacharya (seasonal and daily rituals) and began to understand how the elements- earth, fire, water, air, and ether- play a significant role in our bodies and lives. This understanding of our cyclical nature, naturally led me to explore the wheel of the year and its connections to pagan beliefs and witchcraft. These ancient practices felt like clues leading me on a scavenger hunt.

Not long after that, I went to Norway for a teacher training that merged the mystical arts, the seasons and yoga. What had begun as a slow trickle of curiosity opened up to a waterfall. It was there that I really leaned into the teachings of the divine feminine.

Every morning, we woke before the sun and sat in a circle silently, lighting our candles, pulling a tarot card and meditating on it. We sang, we chanted, we dug deep into the symbolism of the world around us and engaged with our intuition. It initiated a change within me that was irreversible. 

I learned to honor the ebb and flow of my own rhythms, and the energy around me. Embracing the seasonal shifts and the lunar cycles taught me to give myself grace. I realized that the ups and downs of my emotions and the highs and lows of my life were only natural, in sync with Mother Earth. There was nothing inherently wrong with me. (read: there's nothing wrong with you, if you doubt this about yourself)

This alignment helped me understand the way I wanted to show up as a teacher. In the years I was teaching yoga in the studios, my body felt strong, but something important was missing. I needed something deeper than chaturanga and handstands. I longed for a practice that embraced the rhythm of the seasons, the cycles of the moon, and the parts of ourselves asking to be remembered. 

I needed something deeper than chaturanga and handstands. I longed for a practice that embraced the rhythm of the seasons, the cycles of the moon, and the parts of ourselves asking to be remembered. 

I stopped forcing myself into shapes and began to listen to my body. I chose to practice in a way that felt more intuitive. Rather than just an exercise routine to check off the list– each practice became a spell, each breath an invocation- a way to weave magic back into the fabric of my everyday life. 

The return to magic is about getting back to a childlike sense of wonder, enchantment, and deeper connection with the world around us. By rediscovering what's sacred in ordinary moments, we allow space for curiosity, and a belief in things beyond the rational mind.

If you feel like a lost soul, a black sheep, or a spiritual wanderer who is seeking a way back to yourself, know that you are not alone. There is magic out there, waiting to be uncovered. Keep following the breadcrumbs.

_______________________

P.S. I’ve got something really special in the works that I can't wait to share with you! Click the button below to explore this new offer!

Art of Daily Ritual