Throughout time and history, witches have been controversially feared and misunderstood by society, mostly as they are self-defining in the same way women are defining themselves today. As a matter of fact, they represent powerful symbols of feminine knowledge and today, thanks to the it-magical women's of the big screen, from “American Horror Story” to Jenji Kohan’s upcoming series about the Salem Witch Trials, they're seeing a resurgence in pop culture and gaining new respect as an enduring feminist symbol.
Modern witches may be more social media savvy, but they're still self-possessed and in control in a way that resonates with modern women. They'll make use of traditional practices to take care of themselves and their spaces, and with an added dose of intention and extra care, you too can bring their powerful, time-honoured traditions into your daily routine...
ADOPT A MANTRA
Mantras are amazing little things. As we all phase in and out of feeling strong, capable and driven one day and then weak, self-defeating and completely lost another day, self-talk, in the most simplest of terms, has the power to quiet your mind. Whether it is just a word or a full on sentence you tell yourself, your mind will eventually associate your mantra with peace and serenity. Truth is, life is less about what happens to you and more about how you choose to respond to it. So find a phrase, quote or saying that moves you, take a few minutes to quiet your mind and repeat it to yourself as a good reminder to slow down and breathe deeply.
ACT WITH INTENTION
Thinking and acting with intention is the antidote to living through bad habits, negative energy and life set-backs. Although the concept of acting consciously, with complete awareness in what you’re doing, why and how you’re doing it, may seem simple, most of the time, habit and conditioning circumvent thinking, causing people to be unclear about what they want, to allow themselves to be easily distracted and to fail to plan in order to achieve specific outcomes. When you act with intention, you use your control to create the life you want. So, how do we ensure that our actions are purposeful? Figure out what it is that you really want. Develop a plan of action to make it happen. Ask for help and support when you need it in order to achieve your intention. Adopt the belief that you are in control of your destiny.
TELL THE UNIVERSE WHAT YOU WANT
Did you know you can consciously attract any experience you want at any time of your life by the simple action of asking? The energy behind speaking aloud your requests, as oppose to wishes and hopes, is much more powerful than what most people believe it to be. Whether it's in the form of an affirmation or a list of things you want to accomplish in a near or faraway future, your request to the Universe can never be too small or too big. Don't be shy to share away your desires and needs with the world, or write down your goals somewhere private to move it along. As for backing up your intentions with actions, surround yourself by like-minded people who support your goals. Remember, what you are, you attract...
MEDITATION
The most important habit you could ever form with time is, hands down, the art of meditation. With the hectic pace and demands of modern life, we tend to feel stressed and over-worked. Stress and tiredness are known direct factors leading to unhappiness, impatience and frustration. In some cases, it can even develop into a chronic illness and affect our health. Meditation can help "giving" you more time by making your mind serene and more focused, eventually reaching a higher level of awareness and inner calm. It may come as a surprise to learn that you can meditate anywhere and at any time, allowing yourself to access a sense of tranquility and peace no matter what's going on around you. Meditating is a natural condition.
CONNECT WITH ELEMENTS
We live a life surrounded by constant technological advancements and other breakthrough inventions that make our lives much easier, granted, but sometimes, all you need to empty your head, gather your thoughts and regain your strength is to drop everything and ground yourself again. If you live close to the water, go for a swim or simple stick your bare feet into the watery sand. If you live in a big city, go for a walk through a park, connect with nature. If you're stuck inside your home, close the lights and light some candles or take a few hours to do some gardening and care for a plant. Those are all ways you can ground yourself and connect with nature's element to feel whole again.
Happy happy Halloween, everyone!
