I've had several people tell me over the years that they think I'm an empath. Not gonna lie, the ego enjoys hearing such things, but I know it's not real. I know this for several reasons. First, I've always believed that everyone is capable of empathy, if one takes to time to listen and be curious about what others are communicating. Second, because of the staggering number of times I've been wrong about something or been blind to something altogether. We have to be careful not to dismiss such moments. They keep us grounded. Third becuase I've witnessed people displaying more empathy after a revelation, some new information coming to light and bringing a change of perspective. I've also seen the reverse. Such volatility cannot be trusted as static or inherent. Empathy is real but we're all capable (or not) of practicing it to a degree depending on several factors, none of which are especially inherent to an individual.

Years ago I met a couple that were very vocal about being "empaths". I was having snacks with them and a mutual friend, and they started trying to "read me". Amused, I asked them what they thought. They both said that I must have been popular in high school. Spoiler alert: I wasn't 😆

I'm getting into secular witchcraft and developing my own "religion" that I call "symbolica" where I have rituals centered around deities but I have no literal belief in the deities, they just serve as focal points to center my intentions, thoughts, and behaviors.

So happy to see you uploading again!

I personally have no desire to meet people, but I’m always interested in hearing people’s experience in their first interactions with strangers, good and bad. Glad to hear it’s been on the pleasant side for you, even if it feels awkward!

I've been to multiple gatherings with different groups and, while I'm glad I went, I didn't meet anyone. I even reached out to some and set up a coffee date with a couple and I thought that was enjoyable but no one has reached out or been in touch. I just kind of feel like after a few years of gatherings and coven rituals and witch yoga session and to not really have any friendships or communication come out of them and I still feel lonely, then I'm just gonna stop going until I feel like I want to again. I've always felt very much like a loner, and I actually followed up with people myself and got together with some other ladies but I don't feel like the care is being reciprocated. Who knows, maybe I'm just too odd or not fun, or too quiet - I listen more than I speak, but I also know I get very eager to have in-depth conversations and I'm really not good with small talk. I tried but it's all left me kind of down.

There has been a circle of rice in the park behind my home. Every month, sometimes a few months apart, a circle about 5 feet in diameter is there. I have tried to watch who is making this circle to no avail. I have collected feathers and placed them in the circle. Today I made a pentagram with sticks in the circle. Don't know what other "breadcrumbs" I could leave.

These are great suggestions! I am also gold medaling in the awkward Olympics but i think it's worth it to put yourself out there. Then we can potentially form herds of awkward folks! I enjoyed your presentation at the Crit Witch conference! ❤

The overlap between EGL and SASS! Going to to EGl meetups you'll find a lot of like minded folks, online or in person. I also wear lolita, mostly oldschool. It is cool to see lolitas making content online that isn't about the fashion they wear.

I have no filter, at some point I had the rule to find something to compliment in a stranger every day! And it wasn't with any expectations. Indeed I forage with my friend and after a year of mentioning here and there that I meet with my coven every Sabbath they have asked if they can come too! My d&d DM is indeed a witch in my coven too, actually the d&d group is almost an overlap of the coven! I met our coven head at a queer bike ride. We both arrived earlier and the day before had been the summer solstice and I don't know how common it is to ask "what have you done for the solstice?" But we got started like that and by the end of the bike ride she invited me to the WhatsApp coven. Always always worth to take chances (safely)

I’m very anti social. I’m glad my wife practices also .

I have a witchy group online, but what I am worried about is telling them I am an Atheist and only see it all as psychology. I would welcome advice on how to approach that topic with them.

There is a cool herbalist lady near me. She has wonderfull teas and elixirs. I went to one of her DIY smoke wand workshops. The evening was wonderful, and she has a great blend of science and magic. The other participants were nice to chat with, but they definitely were far in the woo side and I continuously struggle with connecting with people like that. I just feel this wall blocking me from making an actual connection. Ah, the struggle of a skeptic witch!

Since you mentioned SASS Witches on Reddit, I've made wonderful connections with them. I've been a witch for over 50 years & never thought that I find such civility & respect as I do there. Thank you for mentioning them. You are such an asset to our community & have enhanced the quality of our practice/perspective. I truly appreciate what you do. Please keep those videos coming. Ever Sincerely xo

Another place where I've found witchy people: in the queer-feminist scene and in the zine (or maybe also wider art) community. That's where I found most of my IRL witchy friends. They actually got me into witchcraft, as I was a bit hesitant and resistant at first but those friends and also youtube channels like yours helped a lot to find my place in witchcraft and shape my vision of it.

I only have rudimentary ideas how to make like-minded friends. So this is timely and possibly relevant to my interests.

dont know if you still read these but ive stumbled upon your channel as someone who has been interested in witchcraft but cannot conjure up even the remotest sliver of belief in the spirituality aspect of the craft. admittedly my interest has been partly out of seeing the community witches have with each other, partly wondering if there is still utility in it when you lack (what seems to be) such a core component, and partly because...well it looks fun. as a genderfluid person, though i dont represent others who share the label, my attitude towards my own gender/the performance of it is rather cavalier. i like to have fun with it even though it is a part of my identity, maybe because having fun IS part of my identity. maybe theres some synthesis to be had there with witchcraft too. there seems to be an attitude online that witchcraft isnt just for fun, or aesthetics, and that its something to be taken seriously...and well, if i dont need the spirituality aspect maybe i dont have to be all that serious either. not sure if that would go in contrast with the placebo applications of it. i dont know. ive literally never practiced. but i think about it. you seem like youre having some fun here.

Great. So... I guess, see you in two years? (LOL just kidding.) I had a few minor projects. I organized my garden a bit to grow stuff I needed, and finally removed clutter by getting rid of so much stuff that I didn't need or want anymore, which made me feel so much better in my own space inside the house. Otherwise, out of interest I got to know some people in my local SCA community and found out when they get together. I ordered a traditional Slavic smock on Etsy that I might use for the meets, but also comfy and practical enough to wear around the house. I'll make a video of my own when I get it to talk about it. 2024 might have seemed uneventful, but things happened that were necessary to enjoy my 2025. :)

1. Identify something you find inspiring in nature 2. Build a deity that follows along that

This is so much nonsense! As an atheist, I don't believe in the supernatural; atheists should be natural materialists.

I'm glad I randomly thought of you today and decided to check in with your channel!

So happy to see you're back! You were the first person who described my beliefs exactly as I saw them, and as an atheist that has been interested in witchcraft for a long time but always felt like there was no space for people like me in the community, you've really opened up my eyes to many possibilities! Just so you know, we certainly don't need polished videos every single time, it's just nice to hear from you and see your gorgeous aesthetics haha! By the way, as an artist, I totally feel your struggles. Be patient with yourself <3

As someone who failed out of grad school years ago despite being "an intelligent person" my hat goes off to you for making the attempt, and I wish you success and fulfillment.

I specifically searched for "atheist witch" and this video came up, and it's exactly what I was hoping for. Can't wait to check out more of your content! 💕

I like witchcraft but I don’t believe in god. But I believe in spirits. Would I still be classified as a witch? And I’m also interested in Wiccan stuff as well but again, I don’t believe in god. So would a non religious Wiccan be a witch?

Keep it oldschool & cheers

I love this, I'm an atheist and my partner is a long time wiccan, I try to provider support and try to understand. But I just piss them off with my literal interpretations. This helps me greatly feel closer to their reasons, motivations for spells, times and rituals. <3

Sounds like you attended an echo chamber

Glad to see a new video. Love your perspective on things and knowledge.

This *is* the first video of yours I have watched, and I liked it 😊

YAY! So happy to see you again!

Yay, i love silly tarot!!😂😂😂

ahh I 100% know what you mean about trying to justify bringing art into the world. Ieft art school and went on a different path partly for that reason. I feel like a good approach is making art with either natural/biodegradable stuff or stuff that is already garbage so you don't have the 'own' bringing that into the world?? It's a tough one! I also laughed at the idea that second-hand stuff doesn't count, story of my life. So much junk. But it was someone elses junk first so it doesn't count ;) Also I saw a double size hand-sewn patch-work quilt in a second had shop for £34 and it made me die inside a little as an aspiring quilter haha

It's kind of interesting - as a lesser-known or anonymous artist, your art is open to interpretation and essentially owned by the masses who observe it. The only time you're in control of your art is when people can recognize your human association with it, or when you make a name for yourself. Oddly though, the more recognizable you are next to your art, the less you can distance yourself from it. I actually went to an art fair today and a good deal of what I saw was bland and soulless, the kind that's neutral and inoffensive enough to put up in an office break room; nothing about it made you want to ask the artist what inspired them to make it, or inquire as to their techniques. Then again, I'm not an artist myself, so I had the unfortunate position of viewing everything with a layman's eye. Art's weird, man. But it's important. Glad to see an upload to this channel. 💚💚

I'm so happy to see you back!

1:25 You’re not the first person who publicly said that they had “dabbled” in witchcraft. Meet Christine O’Donnell.

YAAAAY so happy to see you!!

You're back! So much as changed in my life since your last video but I've still kept a space for you in my attention! Thank you for making a new video~

Standards of quality be damned! There are some people out there who I just like to listen to, and you are one of them!

OMG I love the gumball idea!! I would love to do a project like that!

Totally love your opener to the vid! The tarot gumball machine is also inspiring and kids also love things in mini size! It may help you to use a guillotine paper cutter to save on time you can use an acrylic stamp block for pressing grip and a visual guide. I find your off the cuff vids artistic because it is thought bubbling up to the surface. Perhaps that would help with the idea blockage for art? It's asking a lot to do because we each can be our own worst critic but maybe that's what you need. To hear yourself and to see if you are being too critical or missing an opportunity to turn a nugget of an idea into something more.

Happy to see you again! ♡ Is it okay to ask what your career is? I study art but it sounded like you study something else but art is a part of it.

It's definitely been a weird year! I'm also in grad school and I'm ready to have my life back. Having no free time puts a real damper on creativity. I wanted to share something that's either very fitting or very weird, but I've been meaning to write a poem or a vignette about a guy who collects all those handmade things in thrift stores, or stuff addressed to specific people. A framed photo of a middle-aged guy smiling with Donald Duck signed to someone's papaw, a champagne flute that reads "best bridesbabes 1998," stuff like that. I just love the idea of someone gathering all these abandoned treasures and living vicariously through them.

Congrats on grad school! I'm also in grad school (and I think the secret is that we all think we're the stupidest one there; dont let imposter syndrome win)

Happy to see you back! I was watching some of your old videos just the other day. I've started listening to the Placebo Magick podcast, and like the description of some of the things witchy rituals out spells are good for. Would love to see a series like that from you 💚 Good luck with venturing out!

Synchronous that you posted this video because I had just referenced your gumball machine tarot project to my spouse this weekend!

I think witchcraft can be therapeutic, but like you said, it is not the same as therapy with a professional.

What a wonderful treat to see your name pop up in my feed! I hope you and yours have been well 💗

happy to see you again! I was actually thinking about you recently, because I mentioned witchcraft to someone, who didn't get why I'd be into that and I explained the 'open label placebo' concept :) About art: I've been in a funk for maaaaany years, and one reason is what you mentioned about junk. So I'm happy to hear I'm not alone ♥

Yay, I'm so happy to see a new video by you! I love chatty videos like this and it was great hearing your updates and your thoughts about making art! Also, OMG that mug hat (and the mug!) looks amazing!!!!!!!!! And now I want a tarot gum machine too!