When you think feminine power or masculine power, what does your mind go to? Does it lean toward the societal constructs built around assigned gender roles, such as feminine people being caretakers, whereas masculine people are providers?
Reclaiming your feminine power starts with rewiring how we understand divine feminine energy. The concept of the divine feminine and divine masculine in modern times is often rooted in binary gender concepts, but when we look to the divine beings in countless cultures and traditions, over and over we see gender fluidity and gender-nonconforming deities.
This is in stark contrast to the images of the divine depicted in modern monotheistic religion, which slants towards eliminating the divine feminine and feminine qualities altogether. When we speak to reclaiming feminine power, it is by no means an attempt to erase masculine qualities, but merely to restore balance to what has long been suppressed, silenced, and diminished.
A good example of this is the concept of Yin-Yang energy. Both Yin and Yang energies play an important role in maintaining balance in the universe. There is a natural ebb and flow between the two. Neither is good nor bad. They simply are. They also are not separate from one another but contained within all things.
We think of Yang as the energy that sends, activates, is based in logic, and is positively charged. This is the energy that we consider “masculine”, and it is obvious, direct, loud, and light.
Yin energy is the opposite, and it receives, is passive, intuitive-based, and is negatively charged. This is the energy we consider “feminine”, and it is hidden, winding, quiet, and dark.
Modern belief systems look to these general concepts and quickly label Yang energy as good because it is associated with “life” and then turn to Yin energy and claim it’s evil because it is associated with “death”. But the two cannot exist independent from one another.
What happens when people try to portray Yin energy as evil is a domino effect.
If Yin is “evil” then they must also label nighttime, the womb, the moon, women, and everything else aligned with this energy as evil, and often they do. Women and feminine people’s voices become silenced. Men and masculine people are severed from their emotions and nurturing qualities. Practices that honor the earth, its cycles, and intuition become demonized. And all of it is ultimately a war on the divine feminine, and this negatively impacts everyone.
Some of my favorite examples of reclaiming feminine power are maintained in the stories of the gods and goddesses of old.
Kali
In Hinduism, Kali is far from what modern society would tell you is “feminine” and yet she is the ultimate feminine and transformative power of the divine feminine, destroying negative forces and embracing her ferocity.
If Kali was told to sit down, keep to herself, and be quiet, as many women throughout history have been told, they would have been in for a rude awakening and likely met with intense rage. Something that is necessary when there are injustices and imbalances occurring. Society would have you believe, though, that rage and such behaviors “aren’t ladylike” and should be abstained from, but only an imbalanced masculine force gains anything from femininity being watered down and quietly erased.
Lilith
Lilith, whose origins are sometimes attributed to Judaism or Mesopotamia, refused to conform or be diminished as a person simply because she was a woman. She demanded equality, something necessary in the context of feminine and masculine energy in the universe. When told to be subservient to her masculine partner, Adam, in the Jewish myth, she reiterated that they were meant to be partners of equal status.
She refused to be property, less than, or in submission to someone she was made to be in balance and harmony with, just like the energy of Yin and Yang once again. Through the religiously biased tellings of these stories, it’s easy to stray and fall into the trap that femininity is weaker and less important—but imagine if Yang energy told Yin that it was less valuable. There could be no life without death, no spring without winter, no dawn or morning without the night. The two are inextricably linked and one cannot dominate the other indefinitely. Balance is mandatory for existence to continue.
Ishtar
Ishtar of Mesopotamia, often syncretized with Lilith, was described as being gender-fluid, androgynous, or gender-nonconforming. She had both masculine and feminine traits, even described as being a bearded goddess of war while also being a goddess of fertility.
Those who followed her often were considered non-binary or transgender in modern interpretation, and they too understood what it meant to simply be. That they didn’t have to adhere to societal expectations or box themselves in, but could embrace Yin and Yang, and that life was more harmonious when they accepted that.
Now, this doesn’t mean everyone has to be transgender or nonbinary in order to embrace femininity and masculinity in their lives—but it does mean it’s worth reflecting on the areas in your life where you’ve been mistaught what feminine energy and masculine energy truly are. It also is an excellent opportunity to reflect on what energy you lean toward in your personal energy, and what steps can be taken to be more balanced.
For example, I lean heavily toward masculine energy. For much of my life I was go, go, go. I constantly had to be doing things. I lived in my work. Constantly putting in hours, hustling, and grinding to be successful. What I lacked in these seasons of my life was stillness. Presence. Connection. For me, reclaiming feminine power meant accepting and embracing Yin energy, like the unknown, chaos, transformation. It meant choosing to listen to my intuition when I had been trained to be logic driven. It meant allowing myself to dive into the shadows to heal, instead of maintaining a false sense of light and positivity. It meant reconnecting with my emotions rather than being disconnected and “all business” like how they want us to be in corporate America.
Feminine power as we see reflected in countless deities is knowing when to war and when to keep peace. When to cast and when to retreat. When to speak and when to be silent. It is about duality and being everything all at once instead of fragmenting our reality into separate compartmentalized boxes.
Ask yourself if your energy is typically more passive or active. Do you typically send energy, constantly doing things, or receive energy, and being still. Do you easily move between the two? If you have difficulty moving between the two, ask yourself if it’s related to suppression of your feminine power. A fear of being seen and heard. Of being too loud or angry. Of being too aggressive or dramatic. Ask yourself where those labels came from… Who slapped them on you or made you feel like you had to dilute yourself, shrink, or make yourself more palatable for a world that is at war with the feminine nature of reality.
Ask yourself what power you must hold in your bones if at every turn people in power have demonized ancient goddesses who were once beloved by their people, erase the divine feminine from religion and spirituality, suppress the voices of women by stripping them of their rights to vote, own property, or make decisions about their own body without the sign-off from a man… Ask yourself what power you have inside you that is waiting to be unleashed once you realize you were never too much, you were never evil, you were never too emotional, you were never fill in the blank…
After all, the ones who reinforced that narrative were disconnected from feminine power themselves and hated all of the aspects of life that could’ve brought them balance, growth, and expansion, instead of having to constantly fight tooth and nail to maintain their grip on their power over the people.
Ask yourself if you’re ready to reclaim your feminine power, and if so, what are you going to do first to lean into the receptivity, unknown, shadows, nighttime, lunar cycles, womb, oceans, chaos, stillness, rest, transformation…
So, how do we go about reclaiming feminine power?
This is the switch from survival and hustle mode to presence.
Being instead of Doing — Pay attention to your thoughts when you sit down to eat, take a break during your busy day, or lay down for bed at night. Thoughts that constantly tell us we are lazy, not doing enough, aren’t productive enough, didn’t perform well enough in a social setting, didn’t check enough things off our to-do list, etc., are rooted in DOING.
They are performance driven instead of presence driven.
This will take time to rewire, but if you sit down for a meal, “doing” looks like I need to continue checking emails while I eat, whereas PRESENCE looks like “what does my body need right now?” Food. To nourish myself. And then taking the time to eat something that satisfies what the body actually needs in this present moment. This isn’t inactivity, but it is intentional activity that isn’t rooted in performance, appearances, anxiety, etc., but rather in being in the present moment, listening intuitively to what is actually needed for you to be balanced and capable of all of the other things you want and need to do in your daily life. You don’t have to earn the ability to eat, rest, or sleep.
Embracing the Unknown — The unknown is chaotic, terrifying, and filled with what-ifs. Masculine energy aims to control, preserve itself, and avoid or eliminate that which it doesn’t understand. It operates from logic and is resistant to change and the scary possibilities that come with not being in control of the future or a specific situation.
Feminine energy leans into the darkness, the wildness, the infiniteness of what is possible when we relinquish control, surrender to the universe, and open the door to the mysteries of life.
Pay attention to WHY you make choices throughout your daily life. If you’re making choices to control every possible outcome of an interaction with a friend, operating from survival and self-preservation mode, moving through life in fear of what might happen, it’s time to reclaim feminine power by surrendering to the elements of life you cannot control, by regulating your nervous system and becoming more self-aware of what is actually motivating you. Centering and grounding, aiming to be less reactionary, and holding space for things coming and going in your life without tightening your grasp on them is the best way to lean into the feminine in your life.
The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School is an in-depth 3.5 year program that is currently offered virtually through The Star Village website and is coming soon to the physical location of The Star Village that we're building. Through this Wisdom School, you'll have access to learn more than 40 types of witchery alongside the ancient esoteric wisdom of the goddesses as viewed through multiple pantheons and spiritual traditions.
Unlike many virtual classes or courses, The Mystic’s Journey is an interactive gamified quest where you earn crystals as you learn, discover and unlock easter eggs throughout the platform, embark on side quests to learn about specific topics in a deeper way, and be a part of a forum to engage with other spiritual practitioners.
In addition to The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School, Kate Jade also offers a mentorship program called The Death Witchery that exclusively focuses on death magic.
As a Death Witch, my practice is centered heavily around working with liminal space, in the astral realm, through dreams, and the nature of transitions. When working with the liminal in any form, it is incredibly important to understand the unknowns that come with the "in between"—which includes being open to the infinite possibilities of these portal-like spaces, while also being intentional to protect yourself.
Whether you're intentionally trying to astral project, frequently having intense dreams when sleeping, being woken up from nightmares or night terrors, or anything else pertaining to your ability to easily sleep, rest, and receive positive messages in your dreams, wards act as magical barriers that can keep certain energies OUT and welcome other energies IN.
This article will walk you through what astral and dream wards are and how to create these wards to protect yourself.
Many people, especially practitioners who are connected to the spirit realm may frequently dream or astral project without necessarily even trying.
Dreams, in a simple sense, are the subconscious mind's method for sorting and processing information. Dreams can be attempts at categorizing and understanding things we've experienced in our waking life, but they can also be ways that we receive messages from our spirit guides or the spirit realm to give us insights into our path.
Astral projection, on the other hand, is more like an out of body experience where the astral body explores other realms and places while the physical body is sleeping or meditating.
Though dreams and the astral are different, they are often experienced in a very similar manner and have the concept of "liminal space" in common as they're both "other" places different from the material world we experience when awake.
By nature of being liminal, anything can intrude into these places, both positive and negative. Not every place in the astral is safe or a welcoming place for explanation. Not every entity or person we encounter in a dream is well-intended, benevolent, or positive. The good thing, though, is that as spiritual practitioners, we can create wards for nearly anything in our craft or life.
Wards are energetic barriers that act as a magical protection. They work in multiple directions and can ward select energies IN and ward other energies OUT based on your intentions and goals.
Wards are energetic barriers that act as a magical protection. They work in multiple directions and can ward select energies IN and ward other energies OUT based on your intentions and goals.
When astral projecting or dreaming, this gives you control over what types of messages, spirits, topics, energies, themes, places, etc., can be experienced or accessed. For example, if you're combating nightmares and night terrors, a dream ward can be used to prevent anything malicious, disturbing, malevolent, cruel, or harmful from having access to you while you sleep. You can ward OUT anything you do not wish to come through in your dreams. And you can simultaneously ward IN sweet dreams, restful sleep, peace, love, positive messages, energies or spirits that are protective and benevolent, topics and themes that are aligned with your highest good and allow you to work through trauma or other important healing elements in a way that is safe and focused on your overall well-being.
With wards, you get to set the rules. These rules can be applied to anything that is entering YOUR dream space, your bedroom (or home), your astral realm, your mind, your subconscious, etc. These rules can also be applied to anywhere that you GO while astral projecting or dreaming so that you do not wander into realms that are not aligned with your highest good or aren't safe for you to explore for whatever reason. Remember, you can change the rules over time and as your needs and spiritual understanding change and evolve along the way.
Wards are created through ritual and clearly directed intentions that make an energetic barrier to protect you, by defining what can enter a space and what cannot.
What You'll Need:
Grounding and Cleansing
Take time to ground and cleanse the space where you intend to sleep (whether that be your bedroom at home or a hotel while traveling). You can cleanse with frequencies, a sound cleansing bowl, incense, or whatever your preferred method is.
Welcoming
Facing East, speak: "Thank you to the East and the element of Air for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. As I protect my bedroom, dream space, and astral realm, I welcome my higher self, and I thank you for helping set this energetic barrier. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing South, speak: "Thank you to the South and the element of Fire for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. As I protect my bedroom, dream space, and astral realm, I welcome my higher self, and I thank you for helping set this energetic barrier. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing West, speak: "Thank you to the West and the element of Water for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. As I protect my bedroom, dream space, and astral realm, I welcome my higher self, and I thank you for helping set this energetic barrier. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing North, speak: "Thank you to the North and the element of Earth for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. As I protect my bedroom, dream space, and astral realm, I welcome my higher self, and I thank you for helping set this energetic barrier. Hail and welcome!"
Creating the Ward
Sitting and closing your eyes, envision yourself entering the dream and/or astral realm. Create an energetic barrier, shield, bubble, or structure that surrounds your bedroom, sleep space, etc., and as you visualize yourself making this energetic barrier, set clear intentions on what energies you want to be welcome in your dreams or when you astral project and set clear intentions on what energies you want to be excluded from your dreams or inaccessible when you astral project. Throughout this process, visualize a channel of energy connecting the energetic barrier you're creating being anchored to a physical object you keep in your bedroom/sleep space. I personally like to use crystals and talismans for this, but you can also create a physical sachet with herbs, a potted herbal plant, such as rosemary, or anything else that can serve a similar purpose.
Examples of things you may want to ward IN:
Examples of things you may want to ward OUT:
Once you feel that you have clearly set all of the intentions that are important to you for your ward, you can move forward with closing out the ritual.
Closing
Stand up and facing North, speak: "Thank you to the North and the element of Earth for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. I say thank you to my higher self, and release this ritual space while keeping my ward in place energetically."
Turning left and facing West, speak: "Thank you to the West and the element of Water for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. I say thank you to my higher self, and release this ritual space while keeping my ward in place energetically."
Turning left and facing South, speak: "Thank you to the South and the element of Fire for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. I say thank you to my higher self, and release this ritual space while keeping my ward in place energetically."
Turning left and facing East, speak: "Thank you to the East and the element of Air for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. I say thank you to my higher self, and release this ritual space while keeping my ward in place energetically."
Re-Ground and Re-Cleanse
Take time to ground and cleanse again after you're done. Remember, you can re-set your intentions for your wards on a regular basis to re-enchant them and keep them powerful.
Uncertain about creating astral and dream wards for yourself? Book an appointment NOW with Kate Jade. Kate is a death practitioner and is passionate about helping people embrace the nature of liminal space in a way that is safe so they can explore the astral, navigate their dreams, etc., all while getting restful sleep without disturbances or interference.
The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School is an in-depth 3.5 year program that is currently offered virtually through The Star Village website and is coming soon to the physical location of The Star Village that we're building. Through this Wisdom School, you'll have access to learn more than 40 types of witchery alongside the ancient esoteric wisdom of the goddesses as viewed through multiple pantheons and spiritual traditions.
Unlike many virtual classes or courses, The Mystic’s Journey is an interactive gamified quest where you earn crystals as you learn, discover and unlock easter eggs throughout the platform, embark on side quests to learn about specific topics in a deeper way, and be a part of a forum to engage with other spiritual practitioners.
In addition to The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School, Kate Jade also offers a mentorship program called The Death Witchery that exclusively focuses on death magic.
If you've found your way here, I assume that means you've heard the call of Lady Death, and just maybe you're ready to answer. Death witchcraft at its core uses the energy, metaphor, or personification of Death to empower the spiritual practitioner. Rather than viewing Death as a tragedy or a sense of loss, it is viewed as a transition or transmutation of energy.
"A witch stands on the very edge of everything, between the light and the dark, between life and death."
As a Death Witch, this is one of my favorite topics to teach on, but it is important to note that you do NOT have to identify as a Death Witch in order to practice death witchery in the same way that you do not have to be a Green Witch to use plants or herbs in your spiritual practice.
Death is something that all humans have in common regardless of any other defining factors of our lives and is widely related to many different spiritual traditions and mystical paths, so do not let a concern with arbitrary witchcraft labels deter you from joining if you feel the pull to work with Death.
Through The Death Witchery Mentorship Program, you'll be mentored by Kate Jade on many different forms of Death magic and working with Death energy, including:
This program is in-depth and works with heavily experience-based witchcraft training that isn't readily available for online consumption. Interested students have the option to subscribe monthly for exclusive access to the mentorship program.
Enroll now to learn more: The Death Witchery Mentorship Program
Many symbols that relate to occultism, paganism, spirituality, witchery, magic, and the like, are often labeled as "evil" or "demonic." Sadly, it's to be expected. What often surprises me, or catches me off-guard, I should say, is when people WITHIN one of these "spiritual" communities perpetuate narratives that are not only false but actually harmful.
Recently, this has come up specifically with the symbol of the ouroboros, and I felt that the only way to appropriately address this was to unpack what I have been seeing said vs. what is actually true about this symbol historically, metaphorically, and mystically.
Since everyone may not be familiar with the ouroboros, as everyone's path, knowledge, and connection with various symbols will differ, I want to start with unpacking what it is first.
Ouroboros is typically pronounced: OR-OH-BOR-OS and while the word Ouroboros has its origins in the Greek language (literally meaning tail-eating), representations of the symbol itself have been documented as far back as the 13th and 14th centuries BCE in ancient Egypt.
Sometimes depicted as a snake eating its own tail and sometimes depicted as a dragon eating its own tail, the meaning remains the same—it expresses the unity of all things, material and spiritual, which never disappear but perpetually change form in an eternal cycle of destruction and re-creation. This aligns with what we understand as the First Law of Thermodynamics: energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another.
"Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another."
Linked with the imagery of the goddess, Hekate, the Ouroboros and Anima Mundi are related philosophical and alchemical concepts, both representing cosmic unity, eternity, and cyclical creation. The ouroboros is the image of a serpent eating its own tail, symbolizing eternal cycles, while anima mundi, or "world-soul," is the concept that the universe is a single living organism with a soul that animates and connects everything within it.
All throughout The Star Village, The Mystic's Journey, and the books and articles I've authored (Kate Jade), you'll see me harp on the importance of paradoxes, symbolism, and infinite expansion.
So, let's unpack each one of these.
With the idea of infinite expansion, which I link to the Fibonacci Sequence (Golden Ratio) and its reduction down to the number 117, it directly connects to the goddesses Astarte and Hekate. In relation to the goddess of wisdom and the cosmos, Astarte, she has 117 manifestations that she takes on that make way for infinite possibilities in the universe, just like the infinitely expanding sequence of numbers discovered by Leonardo of Pisa, also known as Fibonacci. Infinite expansion is only possible through energy constantly taking on new forms as old or smaller ways of existing are transformed into new or bigger ways of existing. This is the cycle of death and rebirth, which is really just energy changing states infinitely as it expands and evolves.
If you think of the shape of the Fibonacci Sequence or Golden Ration (the spiral that infinitely expands), you can overlay the Ouroboros on it and see how every time the snake comes around to eating its tail again, it is shedding the old and growing bigger into a new form. This pulls in the imagery of the Anima Mundi, or Hekate, the goddess of magic, mystery, and liminal space because all of this exists within the fabric of the universe in a way that animates all of it and yet is nearly undetectable from the human perspective and experience. The ouroboros, though, will always come back around to the same point again but with expansive lessons and greater ideas that allow it to stretch into the vastness of the infinitely expanding universe we exist in.
This leads right into the heart of the symbolism of the Ouroboros for spiritual practitioners. Magic is in EVERYTHING whether people are capable of seeing it or not, and whether they choose to connect with it or avoid it. It's energy. And more specifically, it's energy that's being intentionally directed, literally moved in order to act as a catalyst for change and evolution. For witches, healers, empaths, shamans, and mystics, this is the point of all. The Ouroboros is the symbol for every step we take in infinitely expanding spiritually, psychologically, and physically. Every choice we make to learn, expand in wisdom, and integrate all of life's lessons into who we are as we pursue authenticity, balance, and joy.
Without the ability to alchemize and change, we would stay forever stuck in the same cycles and way of living with no hope of evolving. And that is where the nature of paradoxes comes into this, as well, because in the same way that the Ouroboros can eat its own tail as a process for evolution, it can also eat its own tail in a never-ending, self-sabotaging cycle when the individual refuses to learn or grown.
This leads me to the current problem I've been seeing from "New Age" and "Lightworker" pages that have been recently speaking out on the Ouroboros symbol. They've labeled it evil. They've said it represents toxic cycles. And they are encouraging their followers to "stop eating their own tail" and "avoid being like the ouroboros"...and if you've been listening to this rhetoric, I hate to break it to you, but this is the same harmful narrative that is perpetuated by religious circles, monotheistic organizations, and suppressors of the divine feminine.
For the same reason it is problematic to say that the "Yin" portion of Yin-Yang energy is "evil" or "bad", which I have sadly seen circulating around the internet coming from "light focused" spiritual pages, saying that the ouroboros is evil and a symbol of toxic cycles is equally as harmful.
Maybe you're nodding your head right now saying, "Yes! How could someone think that?" Or maybe, you've gotten to this point in the article, and you're asking, "Wait. What? I thought it was bad..."
Here's the thing. If "Yin" energy is "bad", then here is what else you have to label as evil:
If the Ouroboros is "bad", then here is what else you have to label as evil:
So, why are people today in spiritual communities perpetuating the narrative that the ouroboros is evil? Great question. My guess is either ignorance to the weight of what they're really stating, which is anti-woman, anti-goddess, anti-change, anti-growth, and anti-balance OR they are intentionally hoping to keep people stuck in the mindset that what people don't understand should be feared and the darkness, Yin energy, and goddess energy that is waiting to be tapped into is somehow "evil" and a part of the problem, rather than a necessary piece of existence motivated to help humanity find wisdom and infinitely expand.
The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School is an in-depth 3.5 year program that is currently offered virtually through The Star Village website and is coming soon to the physical location of The Star Village that we're building. Through this Wisdom School, you'll have access to learn more than 40 types of witchery alongside the ancient esoteric wisdom of the goddesses as viewed through multiple pantheons and spiritual traditions.
Unlike many virtual classes or courses, The Mystic’s Journey is an interactive gamified quest where you earn crystals as you learn, discover and unlock easter eggs throughout the platform, embark on side quests to learn about specific topics in a deeper way, and be a part of a forum to engage with other spiritual practitioners.
In addition to The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School, Kate Jade also offers a mentorship program called The Death Witchery that exclusively focuses on death magic.
WOW! The big day is finally here… The Mystic’s Journey Program is now LIVE!
I am absolutely honored that you've considered potentially joining The Mystic's Journey Program. And if you still feel you’re meant to join, I hope that you receive all the confirmation(s) needed to nudge you forward toward joining.
In 2011, I first began taking my spiritual path seriously. I started teaching on esoteric wisdom nearly every night of the week in 2018, and after a near-death experience that winter and then countless paradigm shifts in my understanding of just how vast and complex our magical universe is, I paused everything I was teaching in the Fall of 2022 to better structure and share everything I had come to understand in a way that honored the goddesses and gods of old.
This program, The Mystic’s Journey, is the culmination of everything I've learned over these last 14 years and is a living, breathing, multi-faceted program that will continue to evolve as we all collectively come to understand the mysteries of the universe in a greater capacity.
The Mystic’s Journey is structured like a spider’s web. Imagine yourself at the center of the web, starting on your journey and making your way around it in a spiral formation that expands outward and upward infinitely. This is your journey, and it is the path of weaving your own fate as you learn, heal, and grow as a mystic.
The definition of a mystic: a person who seeks by contemplation and self-surrender to obtain unity with or absorption into the Deity or the absolute, or who believes in the spiritual apprehension of truths that are beyond the intellect.
Sound like you? Then you’re in the right place.
There are three “realms” that this web spans, connecting together the key layers of the human experience. As a mystic, you’ll make your way through each realm beginning with the physical realm, then the psychological realm, and ending with the spiritual realm.
There are seven “threads” of the web that align with the colors of the rainbow and act as the web’s framework, giving everything in existence order and structure. As a mystic, you’ll encounter each thread along the way beginning with the thread that defines the fundamentals of life to the final thread that showcases the outcome of your evolution as a mystic. These threads ultimately empower you to weave your fate, so proceed intentionally.
Each place on the web where one of these three realms and seven threads intersects create 21 areas of “liminal space” where the sparks of magic in the universe are born. These sacred areas are crossroads that carry heightened energy and endless possibilities. They align with the 21 archetypes that The Fool encounters on their journey through the Major Arcana in the Tarot. The first archetype is one that will introduce you to magic on the microcosmic scale and the twenty-first and final archetype is one that will show you the world on the macrocosmic scale.
Each of these areas of liminal space also corresponds to a couple broad categories of magical practices, resulting in 42 “trails” for practitioners to venture down. Some may find interest in one specific area of magic; others may eclectically embrace multiple in their personal path. These areas of magic that you’ll learn to dabble in span from Ancestral Magic at the start to Cosmic Magic at the end, and often play a role in how mystics choose to identify elements of their craft, though labels are never necessary.
As part of the infinite spiral expansion of the web (like that of the Fibonacci sequence), there are 117 paradoxical, yin-yang energies that practitioners partner with on their mystical journey. Using a nonary system, the sum of the Fibonacci sequence is 117, which links this number with exponential growth in the universe and the limitless possibilities that a mystic may tap into as they weave their own fate. These 117 energies can be thought of as epithets of wisdom, channels of energy, or even personified energetic beings, such as deities, angels, infernals, or spirits.
At the end of the program, you’ll have an arsenal of tools that will empower you on the rest of your lifelong journey as a mystic to tap into esoteric wisdom as ancient practitioners did to weave your own fate.
Enroll in the program HERE!
In addition to The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School, Kate Jade also offers a mentorship program called The Death Witchery that exclusively focuses on death magic.
In a society where everything that was once considered good is labeled as "evil," the impact on individuals who are naturally drawn to healing, the earth, mother nature, homeopathic remedies, and esoteric wisdom can be profound. This shift in societal perception not only challenges their beliefs and values but also undermines their ability to contribute positively to the world.
When a society dismisses or demonizes practices that promote healing and connection with nature, it creates a disconnect between individuals and their innate inclination toward holistic well-being. Those who seek alternative methods of healing or rely on traditional remedies may feel marginalized or misunderstood. Their knowledge and expertise in areas such as homeopathy or esoteric wisdom are undervalued or even ridiculed.
This societal conditioning can have detrimental effects on both individuals and the collective consciousness. People who are naturally drawn to these practices may suppress their true selves out of fear of judgment or rejection. They might feel isolated and struggle to find acceptance within mainstream society.
Moreover, when societies disregard the importance of nurturing our relationship with the earth and its resources, they risk damaging the very foundation that sustains life. The consequences can be seen in environmental degradation and an overall disregard for sustainable practices.
It is crucial for societies to recognize the value of diverse perspectives and alternative approaches to well-being. Embracing a more inclusive mindset allows for a harmonious coexistence between traditional medical practices and holistic healing methods. By honoring both scientific advancements and ancient wisdom rooted in nature's principles, we can create a more balanced society that prioritizes individual well-being alongside environmental sustainability.
At the core of its definition lies the understanding that what we call magic is the energy that flows through everything in the universe. It’s this power, if you will, that allows us to heal, learn, grow, and evolve. To say that magic is inherently evil is to say that energy is evil, which would make our existence itself evil—and while that may be the conclusion some have come to, I’ll certainly never in good conscience be able to take a stance that plants, trees, water, blood, animals, or any other thing that has life flowing through it is evil because it has an energetic component. We “practice magic” every time we think, breathe, pray, meditate, make tea, care for others, cook, clean, dance, and everything in between. Magic is as interconnected to us as water is to the ocean.
The ancient origins of the title “witch” far pre-date the ideas of treachery muddied up in Halloween, spooky stories, and sermons of fire and brimstone. The word at its essence means someone who works with or is devoted to the pursuit of wisdom or is a wise person. So to condemn witches as being "evil" means you would also have to condemn every priest, pastor, saint, angel, nun, teacher, mystic, healer, doctor, scientist, researcher, or philosopher — after all, philosophy literally means “lover of wisdom.” Witches, or wise people, understand that wisdom is found in nature, in ourselves, and all throughout the universe, not in man-made buildings labeled holy by people who prey on their congregations' pocketbooks and fears of eternal punishment.
Having found its place in modern times as the opposite of “traditional” religious paths, such as Christianity, paganism is a way of living free from dogma and doctrine. To be pagan is to see the sacredness of life found all throughout nature, people, animals, and the elements. Paganism sees the energy woven into all of existence and says I respect and honor each aspect as having a unique place in our universe. While individual paths can vary greatly from pagan to pagan, most are connected to god/deity/source and see the different forms or personified ways that this energy can be understood through gods, goddesses, and divine beings across cultures, time periods, and lifetimes. While anyone can use their belief system to cause harm to others, there is nothing inherently evil about paganism itself.
The wisdom that is hidden or not available to the masses is often frightening to those in positions of power who aim to control what people know and have access to. Esotericism is the pursuit of the hidden mysteries of the universe that are tucked away in places we’re often taught not to look, but just because we’ve been told something is “evil” or “wrong” doesn’t make it so. Esoteric beliefs sit at the core of all religions where some teachings or rituals are only for a select group so to condemn those who pursue esotericism would require all people who study life’s mysteries and the divine to be labeled evil as well. Christian faiths have this with only certain priests or pastors being allowed to do things on behalf of the congregation because not everyone would be willing and/or capable of taking on such a role themselves. While people with access to this type of knowledge or wisdom can certainly use what they’ve learned to cause harm, that isn’t because esotericism is evil but because people can choose to misuse what they’ve tapped into. So, why not pursue what you’re drawn to?
While there are certainly parasitic entities in existence that are malevolent in nature, the term “demons” is a bastardization of the original word daemon which simply meant spirit. The collective of beings often referred to as demons in the spiritual space, such as the goetic infernal beings found in texts such as the Lesser Key of Solomon and other grimoires are heavily slanted based on confused religious ideologies and take gods, goddesses, and other divine beings of old and have reshaped them into occult demons of modern day. Not only is the portrayal of many of these beings entirely disrespectful but it is also inaccurate as to who these beings were originally before religious bias was added to their stories and lore. For example, the Canaanite god Ba’el (which meant lord or lord of EL) was divided into multiple “demonic” beings with cruel-intended names including Beelzebub (lord of filth, flies, or dung), Belial (worthless), etc., the Egyptian goddess Isis was converted into the “demon” Paimon, and the Canaanite goddess Astarte or Asherah was changed into the “demon” Astaroth. These were beings of compassion, wisdom, and death & rebirth long before they were diminished to Christianity’s man-made boxes of evil. In fact, I'd even be willing to argue that El, Astarte, and Ba'el of the Canaanite pantheon were the original divine trinity.
Put simply, divination is connecting with the divine. While some may use it for knowing certain aspects of what’s to come in the future, most practitioners use it specifically for communicating with god/gods and goddesses, divine beings the spiritual realm, etc., and growing in wisdom. There are countless forms and methods for receiving messages from the divine, such as prayer, meditation, tarot cards or oracle cards, scrying or gazing, pendulums or spirit boards, runes, and so on. Whether you are asking god for a sign through prayer or speaking with a divine being through a pendulum, both are intended to connect you with the spiritual realm and give you insight.
The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School is an in-depth 3.5 year program that is currently offered virtually through The Star Village website and is coming soon to the physical location of The Star Village that we're building. Through this Wisdom School, you'll have access to learn more than 40 types of witchery alongside the ancient esoteric wisdom of the goddesses as viewed through multiple pantheons and spiritual traditions.
Unlike many virtual classes or courses, The Mystic’s Journey is an interactive gamified quest where you earn crystals as you learn, discover and unlock easter eggs throughout the platform, embark on side quests to learn about specific topics in a deeper way, and be a part of a forum to engage with other spiritual practitioners.
In addition to The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School, Kate Jade also offers a mentorship program called The Death Witchery that exclusively focuses on death magic.
Recently, I was asked to put together a series of resources on spirit communication, specifically with ancestors or deceased loved ones, so this article is the beginning of many resources to come.
What exactly is the veil? The veil refers to the liminal space or "in-between" energetic barrier that separates the physical world from other spiritual realms, such as the realm of the ancestors, the realm of the gods and goddesses, the realm of the fae, and so on.
During certain times of the year (and even certain times of day, such as dawn or dusk), the veil is often described as being "thinner" than other times of year, resulting in heightened energetic happenings as spirits come and go more freely than at other points during the year. While this may not impact practitioners who are more accustomed to interacting with spirit realms, for those who are less in tune with other realms or newer to interacting with energy, it can be incredibly intense to experience.
Life is a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, meaning that spirit never dies, just as physics teaches us that energy is never destroyed only transformed. The family unit is composed of both the living and the departed, the essence of the departed is ever-present and as such can be activated anytime. Whilst the ancestors are no longer present in the physical they still can communicate and act as spiritual guardians to their descendants by offering support and guidance along their life to help overcome challenges and tap into one’s potential.
While countless ancestors have come before us and are a part of our heritage and family lineage, that does not mean that they are all inherently good people, have our best interests in mind, or are energy that we want to carry forward with us. Ancestors who perpetuated patterns of abuse, trauma, and harm, not only do we want to be intentional to avoid carrying the negative aspects forward with us, but we also want to ultimately unwind and break the generational cycles that have been created. That doesn’t mean that those who were not good people should be discarded, as they are still a part of us. But instead, we can send them love, cleansing, and healing energies while maintaining boundaries to protect ourselves and future generations.
This is why, as practitioners, we are intentional about calling forward our protective ancestors or protective loved ones in our workings, communications, and rituals. This communication can take place in various ways including through meditations, dreams, visions, synchronicities, nature, signs, sounds, and so on. The most important thing to understand about connecting to and communicating with your ancestors is the power of your intention. Once you make the decision to connect with your protective ancestors or loved ones, you will find that the pathway of communication opened.
Below I have put together a simple ritual for connecting with your protective ancestors or loved ones. As with most rituals I perform, I start with protective and grounding exercises and then carry out the ritual using a form of representation of the spirit(s) being connected with, a beacon or fuel source to guide and honor the spirit(s), and the magical power of my intentions to carry out the actual working.
What you'll need:
While there are many methods for carrying out the below ritual, I am only going to highlight how I perform this ritual myself. You are welcome to replicate it in its entirety or modify it using your own preferred methods of protection, representation for your ancestors and loved ones, preferred candle method, and so on.
Protection
Start with sitting on the ground. If you have a designated altar space for the deceased and/or your ancestors, sit in front of that setup with your representative item, candle, and offering. Close your eyes and envision a bright light surrounding you completely. Let this light permeate every inch of you until you feel warm, safe, and grounded.
Welcoming
Facing East, speak: "Thank you to the East and the element of Air for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. As I access the ancestral realm, I welcome my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them to me. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing South, speak: "Thank you to the South and the element of Fire for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. As I access the ancestral realm, I welcome my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them to me. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing West, speak: "Thank you to the West and the element of Water for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. As I access the ancestral realm, I welcome my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them to me. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing North, speak: "Thank you to the North and the element of Earth for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. As I access the ancestral realm, I welcome my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them to me. Hail and welcome!"
Representation
Place the item (I'll be using my grandmother's class ring that is engraved with her initials) that represents your ancestor(s) or loved one(s) beside the black candle and offering.
Beacon
Light the black candle intended to guide your ancestors to you and place the cup or bowl of water beside this beacon.
Offering
Place out the offering (I'll be using red wine and pie since that was my grandmother's favorite thing to make) for your ancestor(s) or loved one(s) around/beside the black candle to feed them and honor them.
Connecting
Sitting and closing your eyes, envision a doorway opening and your protective ancestor(s) or loved one(s) coming through the gate toward you. Ask that any messages they may have for you be clearly received and state any other intentions you may have, such as honoring them, getting to know them better, etc.
Once you feel that they are with you, allow any messages they have to flow toward you. If you are not yet skilled at receiving messages through clairaudience, claircognizance, or the like, focus on how the present energy feels. Sit quietly with these feelings, allowing your body to take it all in and then gently release it. If you feel drawn to use a form of divination to communicate with your ancestor(s) or loved one(s), you may do that as well.
Closing
When you are ready to end the ritual and communication with your ancestor(s) or loved one(s) for now, thank those who came forward and allowed you to connect with them, and then visualize them all leaving through the same gate they came through. Once gone, envision the doorway closing and fading away.
Stand up and facing North, speak: "Thank you to the North and the element of Earth for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. I say goodbye to my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them back to the ancestral realm."
Turning left and facing West, speak: "Thank you to the West and the element of Water for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. I say goodbye to my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them back to the ancestral realm."
Turning left and facing South, speak: "Thank you to the South and the element of Fire for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. I say goodbye to my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them back to the ancestral realm."
Turning left and facing East, speak: "Thank you to the East and the element of Air for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. I say goodbye to my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them back to the ancestral realm."
Interested in connecting with your loved ones on the other side? Book an appointment NOW with Kate Jade. Kate is a psychic medium and death practitioner and is passionate about helping people connect with their ancestors, loved ones, and spirit guides through mediumship.
The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School is an in-depth 3.5 year program that is currently offered virtually through The Star Village website and is coming soon to the physical location of The Star Village that we're building. Through this Wisdom School, you'll have access to learn more than 40 types of witchery alongside the ancient esoteric wisdom of the goddesses as viewed through multiple pantheons and spiritual traditions.
Unlike many virtual classes or courses, The Mystic’s Journey is an interactive gamified quest where you earn crystals as you learn, discover and unlock easter eggs throughout the platform, embark on side quests to learn about specific topics in a deeper way, and be a part of a forum to engage with other spiritual practitioners.
In addition to The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School, Kate Jade also offers a mentorship program called The Death Witchery that exclusively focuses on death magic.
The human body is composed of various energy centers, also known as chakras, which are associated with different colors and aspects of our being. Understanding these energy sources can provide valuable insights into our overall well-being and help us achieve balance in our lives.
Crystals have long been used for their healing properties and can be a powerful tool in balancing and harmonizing the energy sources in our bodies. Each energy source, also known as a chakra, corresponds to different aspects of our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Root Energy Source
The first energy source is the root energy source, which is linked to the color red. It represents our sense of stability, security, and connection to the physical world. This energy center governs our basic survival needs and grounds us in the present moment. This energy source is located at the base of the spine, and crystals such as carnelian can be placed over this area to promote grounding and stability. Red carnelian is believed to enhance courage and motivation. An easy way to remember this is by utilizing the rainbow order of colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet) since these match up with the order of the energy sources in the body (sometimes clear or white is used alternatively to violet). Crystals that correspond with these colors are an easy way to link to energetic properties of the crystal with the body—so since red represents the root energy source in the body, it’s easy to remember that crystals like red carnelian or red jasper can help bring healing and balance.
Sacral Energy Source
The sacral energy source is associated with the color orange and relates to our creativity, passion, and emotional well-being. It influences our ability to experience pleasure, form healthy relationships, and embrace change. Located just below the navel, crystals like orange calcite, citrine, orange carnelian, or sunstone can be used to stimulate creativity and passion in the sacral energy source. These crystals are thought to help balance emotions and increase vitality.
Solar Plexus Energy Source
Moving up the body, we have the solar plexus energy source represented by the color yellow. This center is connected to our personal power, self-esteem, and confidence. It influences how we assert ourselves in the world and take control of our lives. The solar plexus energy source, found in the upper abdomen area, can benefit from crystals like citrine, yellow jade, yellow tiger's eye, or golden quartz. These stones are said to boost self-confidence and personal power.
Heart Energy Source
The heart energy source corresponds to the color green. It represents love, compassion, forgiveness, and emotional balance. This center governs our ability to give and receive love unconditionally while fostering harmonious relationships with others. For the heart energy source located in the center of the chest, chrysoprase, green aventurine, and green calcite are popular choices. It is known as the stone of love and compassion, promoting emotional healing and harmony.
Throat Energy Source
Next is the throat energy source associated with light blue or turquoise. It relates to communication, self-expression, truthfulness, and authenticity. This center enables us to express ourselves clearly while listening attentively to others. The throat energy source corresponds to communication and self-expression. Crystals such as blue sodalite, blue lace agate, or lapis lazuli can be placed over this area to support clear communication and enhance self-confidence.
Third Eye Energy Source
Moving further up is the third eye energy source represented by indigo or deep blue. This center connects us to intuition, wisdom, inner guidance, and spiritual insight. It allows us to tap into higher consciousness and perceive beyond what meets the eye. This energy source is located between the eyebrows, lepidolite or amethyst crystals are often used. These stones are believed to enhance intuition and spiritual insight.
Crown Energy Source
Finally, we have the crown energy source at the top of the head symbolized by violet or white light. This center represents a spiritual connection with universal consciousness or higher power. It transcends individuality as it connects us with divine wisdom and cosmic awareness. Located at the top of our heads, clear quartz or amethyst can also be used to strengthen this energy source in the body. These crystals are associated with higher consciousness and spiritual connection.
Understanding these seven energy sources and their corresponding colors can help us identify areas of imbalance or blockages in our lives. By harmonizing and balancing these energy centers, we can enhance our overall well-being, emotional stability, and spiritual growth.
New to using crystals? Here are a few simple ways you can incorporate crystals into your daily life to bring about energetic balance, healing, and an overall sense of well-being. Crystals have long been used for their healing properties, and they can be a powerful tool for energy healing.
One popular method is to place crystals directly on the body. This allows the crystal's energy to directly interact with your own energy field. For example, if you want to balance the root energy source in the body, you might feel drawn to place carnelian or red jasper directly on this part of the body while meditating or listening to healing sound frequencies. You can also wear crystal jewelry that promotes energy balance in the body.
For many people, they may intuitively choose a crystal either being drawn to it energetically or based on its appearance. Black crystals, such as obsidian or tourmaline, are often used to protect your energy and shield a person from negative energy. Clear crystals, such as quartz and selenite, can help neutralize, cleanse, and charge energy, including other crystals. Other colorful crystals may be chosen based on which energy sources in the body need balancing, strengthening, etc.
We have crystals of every kind available in our Crystal Shop through the Mystical Marketplace of The Star Village, including raw, carved, and tumbled pieces. We also have crystal pendants, pendulums, bracelets, earrings, and more that are hand crafted. All of our crystals are ethically sourced and each order is sound-cleansed before it is shipped out to ensure that you receive your metaphysical tools in a neutral energetic state ready to be used in your practice.
If you don't see what you're looking for, send us a message and we can try to source a specific kind of crystal for you or custom-make a piece of jewelry for you that's aligned with your energy and intentions. Explore all of our crystals here. Don't see what you're looking for? We custom source crystals—just ask!
The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School is an in-depth 3.5 year program that is currently offered virtually through The Star Village website and is coming soon to the physical location of The Star Village that we're building. Through this Wisdom School, you'll have access to learn more than 40 types of witchery alongside the ancient esoteric wisdom of the goddesses as viewed through multiple pantheons and spiritual traditions.
Unlike many virtual classes or courses, The Mystic’s Journey is an interactive gamified quest where you earn crystals as you learn, discover and unlock easter eggs throughout the platform, embark on side quests to learn about specific topics in a deeper way, and be a part of a forum to engage with other spiritual practitioners.
In addition to The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School, Kate Jade also offers a mentorship program called The Death Witchery that exclusively focuses on death magic.
Recently, I was asked to put together a series of resources on crystals, and specifically within the energy work category, so this article is the beginning of many resources to come.
When we hear the word "crystals," we usually think of pretty colored minerals. But those are not the only types of crystals. Graphite in pencils, table salt, and snow are crystals, too. What all crystals have in common, though, is an extremely well-organized molecular structure.
Believe it or not, we rely on crystals every single day of our lives. We use crystals to write, keep time, season our food, operate our phones and laptops, build our homes, and tons more. Throughout history, people have used crystals in ancient medicine and spiritual practices, believing they could balance the body’s energy centers or chakras, and they are also used in magical ways to this day beyond their mundane uses.
Scientifically speaking, all matter, including crystals and the human body, is composed of atoms vibrating at specific frequencies. These vibrations, often referred to as Dominant Oscillatory Rates (DORs), determine the energetic signature of each entity. In the case of humans, our bodies consist of trillions of cells, each vibrating at its own unique frequency, collectively contributing to our overall vibrational state.
This intricate interplay of cellular vibrations represents the biological processes essential for life. In contrast, crystals exhibit a remarkable simplicity in their vibrational makeup, typically resonating at a single dominant frequency. This uniformity in DORs allows crystals to maintain a stable energetic signature, making them potent tools for harnessing and amplifying specific energies within their environment.
The molecules in a crystal are arranged in a fixed repeating pattern. Unlike humans, this structure makes crystal energy highly stable allowing them to easily maintain their DOR. When we bring crystals into our energy field the process of entrainment begins. Entrainment is when the rhythm of a more stable energy causes another to gradually synchronize with it. This is the Universe’s way of bringing energies into balance.
Crystals, with their stable molecular structures and precise vibrational frequencies, serve as incredible resonators and transducers of electromagnetic energies. But what exactly does that mean?
A resonator is like a tuning fork for energy. It vibrates at a specific frequency when energy is applied to it. This helps to amplify or enhance that energy. Imagine them as organized blocks vibrating in harmony, creating stability. When introduced to our energy field, they synchronize vibrations, a process called entrainment. This alignment mirrors the balance and harmony in nature.
A transducer is a device that converts one form of energy into another. In the case of electromagnetic energies, a transducer can take electromagnetic waves and convert them into another form of energy, such as sound or mechanical movement, or vice versa. Essentially, it's like a translator between different types of energy.
Because of their stability, crystals are used in various everyday technologies, from timekeeping in watches to transmitting data via radio waves and powering solar panels. They're essential as resonators and transducers of electromagnetic energies in numerous applications.
There are many ways to use crystals. Many people choose to carry them or wear them to keep the energetic frequency of the crystal near their energy field to embrace its metaphysical properties. Others may choose to meditate with them or use them in their home or sacred spaces to create a certain atmosphere that aligns with their intentions and craft. For example, someone who wants to embrace a greater degree of self-love or attract love into their life may choose to wear or work with rose quartz. Here are a few quick reference guides for crystals and some of their metaphysical benefits.
A lot of this comes down to personal preference. Like any spiritual or energetic practice, crystals are best used in a way that feels supportive and healing for you. Here are some ideas:
There are countless ways to cleanse your crystals (and none of them are "right" or "wrong" but the main piece of advice we have is checking if your crystals are water safe so they don't deteriorate).
May you walk your path with wisdom and prudence. Blessed be on your journey of spiritual growth and healing.
We have crystals of every kind available in our Crystal Shop through the Mystical Marketplace of The Star Village, including raw, carved, and tumbled pieces. We also have crystal pendants, pendulums, bracelets, earrings, and more that are hand crafted. All of our crystals are ethically sourced and each order is sound-cleansed before it is shipped out to ensure that you receive your metaphysical tools in a neutral energetic state ready to be used in your practice.
If you don't see what you're looking for, send us a message and we can try to source a specific kind of crystal for you or custom-make a piece of jewelry for you that's aligned with your energy and intentions. Explore all of our crystals here. Don't see what you're looking for? We custom source crystals—just ask!
The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School is an in-depth 3.5 year program that is currently offered virtually through The Star Village website and is coming soon to the physical location of The Star Village that we're building. Through this Wisdom School, you'll have access to learn more than 40 types of witchery alongside the ancient esoteric wisdom of the goddesses as viewed through multiple pantheons and spiritual traditions.
Unlike many virtual classes or courses, The Mystic’s Journey is an interactive gamified quest where you earn crystals as you learn, discover and unlock easter eggs throughout the platform, embark on side quests to learn about specific topics in a deeper way, and be a part of a forum to engage with other spiritual practitioners.
In addition to The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School, Kate Jade also offers a mentorship program called The Death Witchery that exclusively focuses on death magic.
Recently, I was asked to put together a series of resources for people who are new to spirituality and feel like they're drowning in the overwhelming number of "resources" on the internet and things to research, so this article aims to simplify things as much as possible, while still giving helpful direction as you embark on your wisdom journey.
Spirituality is a deeply personal journey of seeking meaning, purpose, and connection to something greater than oneself. It involves exploring one's inner self, values, beliefs, and understanding of the universe. Unlike religion or other modern constructs, spirituality is not bound by specific dogmas or rituals. It transcends boundaries and invites individuals to explore their own unique paths toward enlightenment and self-discovery.
Spirituality is a life-long learning and growth endeavor because it is a continuous process of self-reflection, introspection, and evolution. It involves exploring different philosophies, practices, and experiences that help individuals deepen their understanding of themselves and the world around them. This journey often leads to personal transformation, increased self-awareness, empathy, compassion, and a greater sense of interconnectedness with all living beings.
By embracing spirituality as a way of life, individuals open themselves up to new perspectives, insights, and possibilities that can enrich their lives in profound ways. It encourages a sense of wonder, curiosity, and openness to the mysteries of existence, fostering a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the world we inhabit.
What types of spiritual paths are there?
Eclectic Witchcraft — A personalized approach to witchcraft that combines elements from various traditions, such as herbalism, divination, spellwork, and energy healing instead of being labeled with any one particular path. Other labels/paths that witches may identify with if they prefer a singular focus to their craft include Green Witchcraft (plant-based), Kitchen Witchcraft (cooking and herb-based), Hedge Witchcraft (liminal space-based), Death Witchcraft (cycles and rebirth-based), Hearth Witchcraft (home-based), Astral Witchcraft (astral realms-based), Astrology Witchcraft (celestial bodies-based), Crystal Witchcraft (crystals and minerals-based), Art Witchcraft (color and creativity-based), and countless more.
Solitary Practitioner — Some individuals prefer to practice spirituality or witchcraft on their own, without belonging to a specific tradition or coven. Solitary practitioners often tailor their practice to suit their individual needs and beliefs. Similar to eclectic witchcraft, they simply focus on whatever resonates and fits their needs in a given season without the input of other practitioners.
Paganism — A diverse umbrella term encompassing various nature-based belief systems, such as Polytheistic religions, Witchcraft, Wicca, Druidry, and Heathenry. Paganism typically honors the Earth and its cycles and often involves rituals, ceremonies, and a deep connection to nature. Anyone can choose to be pagan and paganism can be practiced in conjunction with countless other paths and belief systems if so desired.
Buddhism — An ancient tradition originating in India, Buddhism emphasizes mindfulness, meditation, and the pursuit of enlightenment. It teaches individuals to cultivate wisdom, compassion, and inner peace through the Noble Eightfold Path.
Hermeticism — Rooted in the teachings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, Hermeticism explores the interconnectedness of the spiritual and material worlds. It often incorporates practices like alchemy, astrology, and esoteric symbolism to facilitate personal transformation.
Gnosticism — A mystical tradition that focuses on attaining direct spiritual knowledge or gnosis. Gnosticism emphasizes the importance of transcending the material world to reach higher realms of consciousness and understanding.
Wicca — A modern pagan religion that focuses on the worship of nature and the practice of ritual magic. Wiccans follow the Wiccan Rede, which emphasizes harm none and do what you will. Note this is a modern religion, and though Wicca practices witchcraft, most witches are not Wiccan as they strive to embrace the older ways.
Druidry — An ancient Celtic spiritual tradition that honors nature, ancestors, and the cycles of the seasons. Druids often work with trees, plants, and sacred sites in their practice.
Shamanism — A spiritual practice found in various cultures around the world, shamanism involves connecting with the spirit world to heal, gain wisdom, and commune with nature spirits.
Heathenry — A modern revival of Norse paganism that honors the gods and goddesses of the Norse pantheon, as well as the spirits of land and ancestors.
It will feel right. It will feel like it's something that's always been a part of you or that you've always longed for or known. If you dabble in something and it doesn't feel quite right, that's okay, keep on exploring new paths until you find what sits well with you. Labels are entirely unnecessary, so don't feel like you have to know exactly what category you fit into, enjoy the journey of learning, growing, and exploring, and if it's meant to have a label, you'll find it when the time is right.
In all honesty, you should research and explore whatever you feel naturally drawn to. I'm a firm believer that we are drawn to certain topics because they either hold wisdom that can aid us on our path or they somehow play a role in who we are on a grander scale.
If you begin researching something you feel drawn to and then deem it unhelpful or not in alignment with your path, that's perfectly fine too. There's no harm in the research portion, as you can easily put down whatever you've picked up and carry on to whatever calls to you next.
If this leaves things too wide open for your taste, I've assembled some topics below that I feel are critical to ensuring safety in any spiritual endeavors, as they lay a foundation for everything else you may find yourself dabbling in later on.
Regardless of your beliefs, culture, traditions, or heritage, somewhere along the way, you've most likely been confronted with the idea that otherworldly beings exist, whether it be God/gods/goddesses, angels and demons, spirits, or some variation or adaptation of these general concepts. With so many different energies at play in the universe, it is important that anyone learning to navigate spirituality and spiritual realms understand four basic principles: grounding, cleansing, protection, and banishing.
Grounding — Grounding helps keep us balanced, and connected to our bodies, and avoid the negative repercussions of allowing our minds to venture too far off into the clouds, so to speak. We've all most likely encountered someone at some point in our lives who experienced psychosis, and it can be quite alarming. This makes grounding practices incredibly important for our mental health, as well as our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Learn more about the fundamentals of grounding here.
Cleansing — Cleansing helps keep our energy and our space in a fairly neutral state. Though both positively and negatively charged energy have important roles to play in the universe, learning to keep things in equilibrium is necessary as we dive into the spiritual aspects of life. You'll realize just how important this is when you learn how being around certain people, places, or things can impact you in the short term and long term. Learn more about the fundamentals of cleansing here.
Protection — Protection helps keep our energy and space safeguarded from unwanted energies entering, lingering, or impacting us. While there are a lot of things constantly taking place amongst the unseen realms that you'll want to learn to protect against, there are also a lot of unwanted energies that human beings carry with them that we may encounter at any given point if people come and go from our home, we spend time in large crowds, or even in toxic office spaces. Learn more about the fundamentals of protection here.
Banishing — Banishing helps remove entities or energies that have managed to find their way into our space despite our regular grounding, cleansing, and protection efforts. Though banishing is not something that will need to be done all that frequently, it's certainly important to learn and understand, so that if and when the day comes that it needs to be done, you can do so swiftly and confidently. Learn more about the fundamentals of banishing here.
From there, there are countless paths you can journey down based on what interests you, whether it be learning about divination, spellcasting, rituals, magic, energy work, dream work, astral travel or projection, lunar cycles, astrology, solar cycles, pagan celebrations, and more.
May you walk your path with wisdom and prudence. Blessed be on your journey of spiritual growth and healing.
The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School is an in-depth 3.5 year program that is currently offered virtually through The Star Village website and is coming soon to the physical location of The Star Village that we're building. Through this Wisdom School, you'll have access to learn more than 40 types of witchery alongside the ancient esoteric wisdom of the goddesses as viewed through multiple pantheons and spiritual traditions.
Unlike many virtual classes or courses, The Mystic’s Journey is an interactive gamified quest where you earn crystals as you learn, discover and unlock easter eggs throughout the platform, embark on side quests to learn about specific topics in a deeper way, and be a part of a forum to engage with other spiritual practitioners.
In addition to The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School, Kate Jade also offers a mentorship program called The Death Witchery that exclusively focuses on death magic.
