About
“Water Forest” by Youko Kanno
- ⟡ Why a website on Neocities?
- ⟡ What do you practice?
- ⟡ Then, are you really a witch?
- ⟡ What exactly do you use your magick to do?
- ⟡ Why make and use a secret script?
- ⟡ What’s your script called?
- ⟡ Aren’t you delusional?
- ⟡ Do you have your own About page?
Why a website on Neocities?
As much as I love reading and working with physical, bound journals, they’re too fragile for precarious circumstances: fire, homelessness, the simple passing of time. Paper and ink don’t have a reputation for resiliency. I do still record in physical books, but I want to preserve my works and learnings in a format that is accessible from anywhere, easily copied, and largely incorruptible.
As for Neocities, I thought I might share some of my practices in the interest of aiding and educating other people. What I do helps me find peace; maybe it’ll help you, too.
What do you practice?
Though I do observe some Wiccan traditions—Samhain is both my birthday and the holiday most important to me—I do not practice Wicca. I do not subscribe to the Law of Three, and I do not work with any deities, such as the Horned God and Triple Goddess. My practice is very syncretic, and I focus more on the spiritual connections I make to the world around me, not manifestations of intent (I don’t use magick to secure book deals, direct relationships, or influence legal proceedings).
Most witches, it seems to me, practice magick to exercise greater control over their life: to bring back their locus of control internally. I just want to build and reinforce the lost connections with the seasons, places, and things around me. Appreciation, building myself by building my relationships with things that truly matter to me, and respect—that is my focus. Not intent.
Then, are you really a witch?
How do you define a witch? Every witch practices magick in order to better themself in some way—materially, culturally, spiritually. To be better off, to embody a living heritage, to fortify internal resources, connections, and strengths.
My primary focus is this last one, spiritual wealth. My practice clears, expands, and deepens my senses, opening me up to bring me closer to the things and people I love in this world. The popular purpose of much magick is to attract energies you want (and/or dispel unwanted energies) in order to manifest your intentions. As one group of magick users asserts: “magick is all about getting results and living a big life.”
My practice is not about that. If other magick acts as a magnet or a set of pliers to bend reality, my magick opens a field or a space, and it is my job to step in and fill it. My practice is like finding a book on a subject I want to learn about: the world is full of books, and it’s up to me open it and read it. Reading about gingko isn’t likely to make me rich and powerful, but I love gingko nonetheless. And does someone else have to give you money and status in order for you to enjoy talking to them? Not for me, at least…
I might be better termed a “shaman”. Those traditions do resound with me more strongly than the culture of contemporary witchcraft, but I still hold that I am a witch. Just not a Wiccan.
What exactly do you use your magick to do?
Communion, invocation, evocation, and the building of inner strength, I suppose. To be honest I don’t need a formal set of practices in order to do any of those things. My rituals are just a tool for me to do those things easier. I could whip egg whites in a flat plate with a fork, and I’m very good at it, and I can be very precise about the stiffness of the peaks, but an electric handmixer gets to the point much faster. Other magick I practice functions like the soundproofing of a studio or a magnifying glass for me—not speed, but clarity is enhanced. In that sense my magick has more in common with meditation than with other practices.
Why make and use a secret script?
One: because it’s fun! Two: because there are some things I want to keep secret.
What’s your script called?
I’unno. Maybe that’s what I’ll call it! I’unno Script. Yes, let’s go with that.
Aren’t you delusional?
No, I know exactly what I’m doing. If you think I have imaginary friends, then I’ll accept that as praise for a wide, informed, colourful, and humane imagination. I don’t know if you’re happy with your relationships, or if those “real” people are even good to you or even good to themselves, but my friends are fine characters, even when we fight, who’ve grown a lot and helped me grow, and grown with me.
I’m very happy with the company I’ve chosen to keep around me. I take pride in my ability to self-regulate, face adversity with cheer, and appreciate the temporal beauty of the natural world around me, and my continuing endeavours to strengthen those abilities. And I’m quite good at adulting in this hellscape of a decaying and socially dstructive society, and I’ve not exploited anyone, so whatever I do, you can’t really say a bad thing about me.
Do you have your own About page?
I do! It’s a work in progress. Here you go!