How I became a Folk Witch

[@cristinabarberis4279]

Thank you very much for this wonderful video in which you opened your heart and told your path. You've inspired me a lot, since I've been following you, about a couple of years. I started as a Wiccan, a solitary practitioner, reading a lot, starting to celebrate with the circle, the directions and everything you probably know well. Over the years I have felt like a stranger, but I come from Catholic Christianity and so I thought it was because of that, my reticence. I have practiced for many years according to the teachings of Phyllis Curott's Ara Tradition. I have very dear friends who are priestesses or followers of the Ara Tradition. But for some time, I think a couple of years, almost at the same time that I discovered you on your KZbin channel, I began to detach myself. It is no longer my way and I was tempted to abandon everything, so deep was my bewilderment. Then gradually thanks to my Guardian Spirit and many meditations, I realized that I was, that I am a folk witch. Witch of the roots and bones, of the Ancestors. I have no training, I proceed slowly in my path, I am building it myself. But I know, finally, that I understand who I am. I am an animist, too, I respect the Spirits, my Ancestors, the spirits of the place and the ancestral ones. One day maybe I will understand better. But it is a very demanding and very beautiful journey. You inspired me with your video, thank you very much. Forgive my English, it's not exactly the language I speak best. A hug, may you be blessed.

[@AvalonCameron]

Thank you so much for sharing your story. It takes a bit of courage and self-reflection to share such an important part of who we are. I'm happy to read that you have walked a nice long path as well and that you are finally settling into the bones of your practice. Thanks again for sharing. I truly appreciate it.

[@cristinabarberis4279]

@@AvalonCameron

[@AvalonCameron]

My pleasure

[@sonyamareestead6391]

Even though I know that somewhere in my family tree/ancestors as my dead grandfather told me through my yes/no board I got from Antipodean once upon a time. Which I can't afford anymore. I used to get two boxes and now I only get the one box and I am hoping to get that box back one day when I have the money to do so. So now I just stick with the Witches Roots and I love opening that box every month and I am surprise to find what is in it every time. I have my own compost bin going and when I throw my scraps into it I have managed to save a couple of tomato plants that have come up and I kind of look after them. I love it when it rains. I guess I am a suburban witch who loves to learn what I can. I think I am growing a every day witch and I know it takes a lot of time and because I am a carer for someone else who can't do much these days and she and her other half don't believe in it so I just what I can like making my own facial/body oils for me to use as I can't use store bought creams and lotions on my face. I did make my first ritual oil a few months ago and my Diana oil as well. I have made a spring oil that is for body and I have made my version of an Halloween oil as well. And if it turns out I will save some into a smaller bottle to keep on my altar. I think this is the biggest entry I have left in a long time. Stay safe and blessed be.

[@AvalonCameron]

Keep up the excellent work lovely. There is absolutely no rush. Take your time exploring and experimenting xo

[@enchanted_wildflower_]

Thank you for sharing your story and for how long it took. I put so much preassure on myself, sometimes i forget its a livelong path and i dont need to figure everything out rn!

[@AvalonCameron]

Thank you so much for your kind words and your shared story xo

[@theredvelvetwitch]

I can share my story too, if you’ll have me. I was born and raised Christian, but walked away by choice at 18 to pursue my heart. I explored neo-paganism and modern folk magick, and fell in love with deity work and spirit work. I dabbled with many different types of practices and structures and wound up falling back into Wicca. The structure of an established ruleset that I can collect from various authors and go back to time and again is so helpful to me, and I rely on my books and my relationships with my deities to teach and guide me to becoming a stronger witch and a better person. I love layered ceremony, but I also often fall back on my magickal roots in quick, quiet witchcraft to keep me steady when life gets hard. “Its a beautiful thing”, isn’t it? 😁

[@AvalonCameron]

Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful aspect of your journey. It was so nice to here about how your practice has taken shape over time.

[@chrissyplanteater2892]

My journey started with the film wizard of oz when I was a child , I was fascinated with the witch and realised that she was so mesmerising and I wanted to follow her not Dorothy 😂 I then believed that magic was real and the moon was my blanket and my journey started from simple things like trying to make potions and star gazing and lots of questions to the universe I was a solitary child that loved to be in field cloud gazing instead of playing with kids on the block also no internet and only my imagination and my senses to years later having alters of nature and so on to now at 65 I’m still a child at heart with a love of books crystals and stories from around the world and will never get tired of all things magical 🧙 love your story and thanks for sharing ❤🕸🦌🍁🧟‍♀️

[@AvalonCameron]

I hope I too remain a child at heart. Thank you for sharing your story with me.

[@jennygosschalk5264]

Thank you beautiful soul for sharing your journey. In the scheme of things I am a late bloomer. In my sixties I am more and more finding the courage to trust and act on my own intuition and be open to what the Universe wishes to reveal. The earthiness of folk magic resonates with me. I am very much inspired by your videos.

[@AvalonCameron]

And that is it’s own beautiful journey. There is a lot to be said about a Spirit Led path.

[@kayetompsett1887]

You speak beautifully. Blessings xo

[@sonyamareestead6391]

I love to read and learn different aspects of the craft as I find it very interesting and I do practice when I can and I know my time is coming. To be able to do major rituals at the moment I do mini rituals as that is all I can do. And thank you for sharing your story. Stay safe and Blessed Be.

[@AvalonCameron]

Mini rituals are great in a pinch.

[@clarelantern]

Thank you so much for telling us your story. I appreciate that very much~

[@AvalonCameron]

You are so welcome! and thank you for your thoughtful comment xo

[@miamoonmagic1897]

I understand you completely. The highest magikal practice is the one in which we communicate with the spirits, be them ancestral or the Orishas. Coming from an Afro-Cuban Santeria background I have a life long respect and honor for unseen energies. I too have realized I have come a long way and now practice folk, moon, sun, water, plant magic. Everything in nature is magic. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@AvalonCameron]

Yes, the Spirits have a way of calling us back to nature.

[@miamoonmagic1897]

@@AvalonCameron Yes they do. I really like your content and have been a subscriber for so many years. Blessings to you 🙏.

[@Raven_The_Green-Witch]

Thank you for sharing your spiritual journey with us, love it. You made your own path and grew strong from it. Mine started back in 98 officially, but started a bit earlier unbeknownst to me and I think even my mom. Her mom, my grandma did a lot of folk style things, but I doubt she knew that she was but doing what she was taught from her mom and so on. My grandfather was half Native American and he was so in tune with the earth, he loved growing vegetables and fruits. He was also a massive collector of old things. I look back and realize in my toddler years and early school age years, they taught me a lot of good things. I used to have dreams as a kid of being a witch, along with my cousins. Vivid dreams, and ones I still remember to this day. As a teenager I enjoyed getting my cards read from my best friends mom and her uncle. Several years later in my early 20's I started to get more and more interested in tarot, so I went to the library and started getting books on it and spotted Wicca and Witchcraft books. I grabbed a few and the rest is history. I have been studying and learning all I can since then. I continue to learn to this day. I can say there are times in my life that my practice has taken a back seat to my home life and whatnot but it hasn't taken a back seat in 12 years. I just requested a load of books for me and my stepson to read and look at from the library, to see if I want to put them permanently in our library of books. He is new to this and I have been having him study and help with simple things.

[@girl-fromthemoon]

Hi. I know this video is one year old and you probably won't see my comment, but... I wanted to thank you so much for sharing your story. I'm from Rio as well. I wasn't born into umbanda like you. Although there was a terreiro very close to the house I grew in, and several people around me practiced this culture. But my family comes from a Christian tradition, and so I was basically raised in the church. Sadly, I was brainwashed to see umbanda and all african originated spirituality as evil. Last year tho, I went through a radical deconstruction of my Christian faith, and was simultaneously pulled into the witchcraft, neo-pagan rabbit hole, because the witch archetype has resonated with me since I can remember. So I've been spending the last few months studying and researching witchcraft, paganism, animism, and one aspect of it all has been bugging me lately, which is the land spirits, ancestral part of the practice. I was originally intending to shape my practice around the european traditions (which is part of my ancestry as well), there's even a norse deity calling out to me recently. But part of me feels compelled to work with the traditions and practices I have right now around me. The spirits of this brazilian land, the native part of my ancestry. I don't wanna leave it behind in favor of an eurocentric practice. I want both sides integrated into my life, because all of it matters to me. So lately, I've been feeling drawn to umbanda. Because although I wasn't born into it, many elements of it have always surrounded me. I even though of visiting that terreiro close to my first home. But there's still part of me that's uncomfortable with it, there's still a voice in my head that says "stay away from it, it's not your culture, it's not for you". Your video has made me realize that I shouldn't fear umbanda, that there's nothing wrong with at least researching it, reaching out to some practicioners I know. That no matter what my blood ancestry is, the spirits and the culture of this land I was born into should still be acknowledged and honored. Thank you so much ❤ blessed be.

[@AvalonCameron]

Hello lovely, thank you for your beautiful comment. To cut a long story short, Umbanda is a national religion in many ways. It was created to fit the vibrant landscapes of Brazil and its colourful salubrious people. Umbanda in the earth there, its spirits were welcomed to Brazil a long time ago. You have interacted with umbanda offerings in the streets and the crossroads. There is nothing to fear, nothing evil. It’s simply a different lens through which to understand and interact with divinity. Umbanda is worth understanding. It’s rather special and a source of beautiful magic and ritual. I hope you can give yourself permission to take a closer look. Best of luck.

[@girl-fromthemoon]

@@AvalonCameron Thank you so much for replying! I wish the best for you and your channel 🤍

[@feleciawimsatt]

Loved this! Thank you for sharing with us! ❤️❤️

[@AvalonCameron]

Thank you, and it was my pleasure xo 😘

[@susanchambers5616]

Thank you for sharing your history and story, I could listen to you talk for hours. You’ve such an amazing, storytellers voice. Thank you so much. Excited that you’re in southern Tasmania, I’m in NW Tasmania in Smithton. No fellow witches that I can find. Thank you for sharing 🔥

[@AvalonCameron]

Nawww, NW Tassie! That practically makes us neighbours!

[@kathleenroberts7972]

This was so wonderful! Thank you for sharing your story and being so real.

[@AvalonCameron]

I’m happy you enjoyed it ✨

[@medicinewomyn39]

Simply Beautiful🌹 Thank you.

[@AvalonCameron]

Thank you too!

[@dilihopa]

This is very well presented. After 67 years I’m still experimenting with my own practice. Thank you for your video.

[@AvalonCameron]

I don’t think we will ever satisfy our witchy curiosity enough to stop experimenting.

[@theblueman3412]

I seldom post but I do want to comment. I felt drawn to witchcraft as a child, but had no idea of how or what, being raised in what is called the bible belt in the U.S. At age 21, I encountered the Great Spirit and became a Christian. And continued in this religion for 39 years. Preaching for 38 of those years in a variety of denominations. Ordained by two organizations. During those years, there was this drawing back to what I did not know or understand. I pushed it away as it was the "devil" trying to pull me away from God. During the last few years however, more and more questions came up. Finally, this past April on Palm Sunday, I surrendered to what was always there. I was a witch. I renounced the Christian religion, but not Creator. I held on to truth that I had experienced. Not knowing anyone to go to, I turned to the internet. Some channels my spirit agreed with, and yours was one of them. You did a book review, which I watched with intent. I ended up purchasing "Pure Magic" by Judika Illes and one on your list, "The complete book of spells, ceremonies, and magic" by Migene Gonzallez-Wiffler. There is another one you recommended that I will purchase in the future. Watching this video, I said out loud, "If I could pick one person to be my mentor, I would pick her". Your experience and knowledge in a variety of practices, and your ability to communicate, are desired. Thank you for who you are and what you do. JP

[@AvalonCameron]

That is quite the journey you have been on. I’m sure you have learned a great many things. Will you be looking at combining your two paths?

[@theblueman3412]

@@AvalonCameron There is a saying that I use: You can teach me all day, but if my experience shows me something different, experience will win every time because to me, that is the truth. I have had some wonderful experiences during my time as a Christian. Those truths I fully hold on to. So yes, I am combining in a sense. The truths experienced then, and the new ones I am looking forward to now. I will say that leaving the Christian religion, not Creator, has freed me. Freed me from a box, if you will. Thank you for your question. John

[@theblueman3412]

@@AvalonCameron Hello there. I have not been on my gmail in about a year so I am just seeing your comment/question. Thank you for your question, but no. I have completely deconstructed from the Christian religion. I see it for what it is- a religion that controls people through fear. Hell is not real, and Jesus is not the Creator. With that being said, I basically lost all friends, as they are all Christians. But- I am happier and freer now than ever before. I currently am an eclectic witch with interest in the Left Hand Path. Thank you again and I trust all is well with you and yours. JPR

[@aliceandthewitches]

What a beautiful video!! There's something very enchanting and filmic about it. I find scattered in KZbin a few videos like these, that feel like today's version of those Witchcraft magazines of the 90s. I can't pinpoint the feeling. Like a world onto its own that resonates or inspires my own. Thank you!! xo

[@AvalonCameron]

That’s so lovely to hear. Thank you 😊

[@julissagaitan973]

Yas same here since. I was 3 years old I was introduced from my dad yemaya and shango and oshun

[@AvalonCameron]

That’s beautiful! Shan go is the patron Orisha of my family’s Terreiro.

[@julissagaitan973]

@@AvalonCameron his also my patron and yemaya and ochun them three

[@flowerchile2676]

Beautiful journey!

[@AvalonCameron]

Thank you 🙏

[@JennHodgson]

thank you so much for sharing this video and sharing your path and where it began and how it evolved. I always feel such a connection to your videos and what you post and what you share.

[@AvalonCameron]

Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment and continued support xo

[@suzigemini]

Avalon--the candle I have burning for the Goddesses started burning extremely bright as you were talking. Beautiful video xoxo. Thank you.

[@AvalonCameron]

Thank you for telling me. That’s AWESOME!

[@amandab610]

Absolutely beautiful, Thank you for sharing your story with us 🙏Your so inspiring and truly a beautiful soul.💚 Thank you for all that you do💚

[@AvalonCameron]

Thank you 🙏

[@havootu]

❤❤❤ thank u for sharing... I would have never guessed you were Brazilian

[@AvalonCameron]

I know right. I don’t look Brazilian but I’m totally Brazilian.

[@irishcladdagh3]

Hello Gorgeous!!! This FILM WAS SO BEAUTIFULLY MADE!!!! Oh my heart is pounding, my mind is racing and my Spirit is soring. THANK YOU so much for sharing this incredible back story. I LOVE it 😍💜

[@AvalonCameron]

Nawww thank you so much lovely. ❤️

[@annaazzopardi4625]

I am loving your videos. Have you read any of Denise Alvarado’s books. She’s from New Orleans, Louisiana in the USA. That’s where I grew up. Catholicism and Voodoo went hand in hand for some families. If you haven’t read her books, I think you would like them. When I was young I used to go with my Grandmother to deliver on Sundays oils and incense to practicing voodoo/hoodoo ladies on the bayous of Louisiana. That was her spending money-pin money is what she called it. Both of my grandmothers used to pin money inside of their bras. Talk about embarrassing when they were pulling the money out at stores. 😂

[@AvalonCameron]

I have read a bit of Denise Alvarado’s works. We have even gone so far as to study one of her books in our witchy book club.

[@sandyblack9698]

Thanks for your personal beliefs and thoughts..I moved to rural Devon in 2000 so much different from London I began my Spitual path 2019 its a magical place so it was easy nature everywhere!.blessings. 🌛🌕🌜🤎

[@AvalonCameron]

Sounds really beautiful. It’s so special to find a magical place that inspire your practice.

[@The_Wild_Witch]

Avalon, this was such a beautiful and inspiring story! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful video about your path with us! I would love to do a video response to this in the near future! Take care and brightest blessings! 💜

[@AvalonCameron]

Thank you lovely. I look forward to hearing all about your personal experiences.

[@danieltaylor2044]

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing. I'm really enjoying your new style of filming and content. Now I also feel a deeper connection to the naming of your tarot deck I work with.

[@AvalonCameron]

Awesome! Thank you! That's really awesome to hear xo

[@jothankyou2]

Amazing💛🌸🌸💛

[@AvalonCameron]

Thank you 🙏

[@DaLi-uy5vh]

Nice story! Do you mean that you introduced more divine famine practices and protection at home? I'm curious to know more about balancing or neutralizing energies for a physical place. Thanks!

[@AvalonCameron]

It’s a bit of a long story.

[@DaLi-uy5vh]

@@AvalonCameron We have time!😅

[@The_Boujee_Mystic]

😂😂😂 gateway drug!!! I always thought da same but I call it gateway magick. I luv how u talk bout cultural bones and da importance of ancestral veneration. So many just go off of wat appeases em. TY 4 sharin. I'mma def do a VR 2 dis however I have a list of VR's I need 2 do TBH. 😅😅😅

[@AvalonCameron]

AWESOME! i look forward to your VR! Yay!

[@brendabooprather]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful story 🧡🤎🧡🤎 If I may ask,, how old are your children now? And are they following in your path?

[@AvalonCameron]

My little ones are 12, 9 and 7 and they are rather magical little humans.

[@brendabooprather]

@@AvalonCameron Oh that's awesome!

[@ericaaraujo8941]

Veja o canal do ROSA AMARELA aqui no youtube, tem músicas lindas dos ORIXÁS. Amei sua história!

[@AvalonCameron]

Obrigado 🙏

[@ladyblindwolf1490]

💜💜💜