Get Witchy With It
graphic by thanh thai
It’s that time of year again. Suddenly everyone’s Twitter handle has the word “spooky” in it, ads for problematic Halloween costumes are popping up on Facebook timelines, and everything is pumpkin spiced. If the dropping temperature and changing leaves start to make you feel a little more… powerful, you’re not alone. It’s peak season to realize your inner spiritual potential and ditch the resting bitch face for the resting witch face. You don’t have to start practicing Wicca, but here’s how you can harness that mystical energy and get a little more witchy with it in your daily life.
Let’s start with music.
Fill your ears with the sounds of bold and unapologetic women to power you through your day. Lana, Marina, CocoRosie, Florence, HAIM, and Solange are a good place to get the witchy vibes going. If you’re feeling extra powerful, go ahead and kick-off your playlist with Lana’s “Season of the Witch”, or take it old school with Stevie Nicks’ “Edge of Seventeen.” Embrace the aesthetic they encourage and sway with it as you make your way over to the closet.
Now it’s time to dress the part.
No, you don’t have to dawn a pointy hat or broom, relax. Take cues from American Horror Story: Coven. We’re talking 70s, but make it fashion. Think mid-calf slips over a loose white t-shirt, long and billowing sleeves, a go-to fluffy coat, and of course, a staple pair of chunky boots. Oh, and it’s all black. You can throw a rich ox-blood or emerald green in the mix… but mostly black. Thanks to the wave of nostalgia carrying the fashion industry right now, these items are pretty easy to find for your mix-and-match desires at online retailers like Nasty Gal, Dolls Kill and Lulus. And hey, if you choose a wide-brimmed black hat to top it all off, more power to you.
So you look and feel the part, now it’s time to dig a little deeper. Modern witchcraft, formerly practiced by Wiccans, is a very natural and peaceful belief system. No need to convert, but before you embrace their teachings, know that the common misconception that witchcraft is inextricably linked to devil worship is a false and dangerous notion that goes far beyond the Salem Witch Trials and is still harmful to practicing Wiccans in parts of Europe, Africa, South America and the United States. The key takeaway here is that the motto of Wicca is “harm none,” so we’re going to take a holistic approach to our witchier days.
What does holistic skincare look like? Well it’s a whole lot of oils. Since we’re thinking of the Earth and plants as something we share a symbiotic bond with, it’s important to understand what products rely on plants for their healing qualities and is completely cruelty-free. Gentler oils like chia seed and rosehip seed oil are great for gentle hydration and are carried by cruelty free brands like Mayie Cosmetics and Grove Collaborative. Tea Tree oil is also a great cure-all for anything from scar tissue to split ends. If you’re ready to fully dive in, add a crystal face-roller to the application of your oils and serums. You can choose between rose quartz, jade or amethyst based on your skin type, and you can get them for as low as $5 on Amazon. If you’re starting to get worried about breaking the bank, don’t stress. At the very least, swing by your local Target for some cruelty-free, nature-based product lines like Acure Organics, Yes To, and Pacifica (Cruelty-Free Kitty).
Embracing your inner-witch is not only skin-deep. You can go as far as buying and reading the text most closely associated with practicing Wicca, or you can just take some of its cues.
Something as simple as a shower in which you express gratitude and awareness of the water as an element can benefit your own level of awareness and your connection with the world as you go about your day. Make a cup of tea from actual herbs instead of pre-made packets, and use the time while the tea steeps to write down something you’re grateful for on the Earth or the people that walk it.
Essentially, practice self-observance. Be conscious of your actions, your footprint, and the energy you take in and out of every room. And do it all with a killer playlist and a glorious black wardrobe. Happy witching.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5d7jYDeFEQxTVcRKz1ESKG?si=Xg72g40SSiGHE4JlYgirwg