
authorβs note
Authorβs Note: The content of this blog reflects my personal experiences and perspectives on magic. Witchcraft is a deeply individual practice, and my approach may not align with everyoneβs beliefs or traditions. I encourage readers to explore, question, and adapt what resonates with them. Nothing shared here is meant to serve as absolute truth or professional advice. Trust your intuition, do your own research, and walk your own path.
All content on this blog is the intellectual property of Anoka Solveig and may not be shared, reproduced, or redistributed in any form, on any platform, without explicit written permission. This includes but is not limited to copying, reposting, translating, or distributing excerpts. If you wish to reference or discuss the content, please direct others to the original post.
Deconstructing My Practice: A Necessary Act of Renewal
Deconstruction is not the death of my practice β it is its preservation. By periodically stripping my craft to its essentials, I ensure that what remains is living, vibrant, and honest.
What βOld-Style Witchcraftβ Means to Me
For a long time, I used the term 'Traditional Witchcraft' to describe my practice, but over time, I found it no longer fit. While my craft shares some structural elements with Traditional Witchcraft, its true foundation lies in historical magicβearly grimoires, folklore, and the practices of cunning folk. My goal is to honor those who came before me, not through modern interpretations, but by reconstructing my craft from historical sources. Thatβs why I now call it 'Old-Style Witchcraft'βa term that better reflects my approach, rooted in authenticity and tradition without being bound to contemporary frameworks.
Rooted in Tradition: Finding Authentic Herbal Substitutes in Folk Magic
Finding the right herbal substitute isnβt just about matching magical propertiesβitβs about understanding the deeper symbolism, historical context, and method of use. A true replacement must honor the spirit of the original herb, not just its function in a spell. By weaving together folklore, historical research, and lived experience, I strive to ensure that every plant I work with is not only meaningful but also rooted in both tradition and my personal craft.
A Witchβs Toolset: A Guide to the Tools of my Personal Craft
Tools are not the foundation of my magic, but they are the allies that shape my practice. Each item I useβwhether crafted by my hands, gifted by the land, or chosen with careβcarries its own spirit and purpose. Over time, my toolkit has evolved, reflecting the changes in my path and the deepening of my craft. These tools are more than objects; they are extensions of my magic, woven into the daily rhythms of my practice and my relationship with the unseen.
Tending the Hearth: My Day-to-Day Magical Routines
Magic isnβt something I reserve for special occasionsβitβs woven into the rhythm of my daily life. From greeting the house spirits each morning with an offering of tea or coffee to blessing the meal my wife and I share, my routines are small but intentional acts that deepen my connection to my spirits, my home, and myself. Each moment, from listening to the crows to placing my besom against the door at night, is a quiet spell, a reminder that magic is always present, waiting to be lived.
Tradition, Tradition: Why I Hesitate to Call Myself a Traditional Witch
For 25 years, Iβve walked the path of a practicing witch, shaping my craft through folklore, folk magic, and personal experience. While I appreciate the structure of Traditional Witchcraft, I hesitate to claim the label outright. Too often, it comes with assumptionsβof strict adherence to specific traditions, of working with the Witch Father or the Witchβs Devil, of following a path that isnβt mine. My magic is rooted in history but ultimately personal, and Iβve learned that labels, while useful, should never define me more than my own practice does.
Hood & Veil: The Power of Covering in My Spiritual Path
Veiling is a practice often associated with religious tradition, but for me, it has become a deeply personal part of my witchcraft and Pagan path. What began as a way to protect my energy during divination and ritual soon evolved into a daily act of magic, honoring my ancestors and recognizing the sacredness of my hair. Now, I veil in public spaces as both a form of spiritual protection and a ritual of personal power. In this post, I explore the magical, ancestral, and practical aspects of veilingβand how it has transformed my practice.
Rekindling the Old Fire: Returning to the Materials of My Magical Predecessors
Magic is not just about what we doβitβs also about what we do it with. A year ago, I began rewilding my witchcraft, shifting away from mass-produced supplies and returning to historically appropriate materials and crafting methods. This meant trading store-bought candles for hand-dipped beeswax, synthetic cords for hand-spun thread, and glass bowls for earthenware and wood. In doing so, I found a deeper connection to my magical ancestors, a richer engagement with my craft, and a renewed sense of authenticity in my spellwork.