Kitchen vs. High

[Anonymous]

I was just wondering how many of you are Kitchen or High magic and why.

[Anonymous]

I decided to venture into crones and sages and I see you've  already discussed this with athames. Oops

[Rowan CedarWolf]

I would say I am a combination of both. I am extremely prcatical, but take ritual very seriously. At the same time if some one needs help or healing I will send them healing energy regardless of where I am or what I am doing

[Anonymous]

I'm an eclectic solitary, so I use what's needed at the time in the situation, yet I hold ritual very sacred as well.  Why?  I don't know that, it's just the way I am.

[branwen]

I'd have to say I'm a little of both as well.  I've had some training in Wicca, but eventually more as a Traditional Witch.  In day to day activities, I tend to keep to more "kitchen" practices.  However, I do love formal rituals and celebrations now and then.  My altar is a conglomerate of different traditions and I often use only one area of it at a time.  There's an athame and chalice on hand for formal rituals, but I make informal offerings to Bast nearly every day.  These usually consist of lighting purple and green candles and offering catnip and amber as I ask for her help in rescuing kittens.

[Fillionous]

I am much more a Kitchen / hedge witch in my own practices... rituals are often as simple as finding myself singing while I garden or cook or walk... imbueing the food with wishes for health, the garden for beauty and fertility, the world with balance and peace, praise to the divine, wisdom to leaders and love to the plants, animals, friends and family I am in touch with, etc. Even oriantating myself NSEW is more by instinct, looking at the signs and symbols around me than any formal circle. The formality comes in the frequency and certian phrases that I often use. I have no formal / perminant altar, I have what I call my witch box (a carved oak box) with all I could want for (witch wise) inside and when I feel the need for something formal the box becomes the altar and the contents come out as needed.
I think my style has come about due to my self taught nature and isolation from more formal groups and practices... but it works for me and I am happiest outside, singing soft praises while tending living things.

Be bright, be bold
Fillionous

[Anonymous]

I think my style is very much like that of Fillionous. But I do like the idea of the box!  I have a shelf in the middle of my wardrobe, which isn't quite so mystical/romantic!

I used to have a permanent altar, but since getting the new house (shared with a non-Pagan), I have tried to place items of significance anywhere that could be ornamental, and if it's symbolic and practical too, that's just a bonus!

It's interesting to see a photo of your altar, Branwen.  I only know a very small handful of offline Witches/Wiccans, so it's very refreshing to see how other people express themselves!

[Anonymous]

I would have to say that I'm more of an old style witch. A little of this and a little of that.

Why?I feel closer to nature this way, without the expesive artefacts and elaborate rituals. I'm used to doing things my way in other areas, so I guess it goes for witchcraft as well. I don't have the need for a coven or a named religion.

I don't have an altar but I'm clearing a room for my witchcraft-related stuff. I've been active for 11 years, so there isn't room on a shelf or in a chest/box. Besides, having a designated room, makes it easier to find enough floor space

[Anonymous]

From my point of view, kitchen magic and high magic aren't necessarily opposites.  So I'm neither.  Or both.  *shrug*

If we're talking in the matter of fancy tools, I'd describe most things I do as dollar store magic.  Or hands-free magic (no tools, no movement - that's a lot of fun).  Though I have a couple nice things that I'll occasionally use when I feel the need.

In terms of formality of procedure, I'm all over the place.  I've occasionally thought "hmm, I want to do something" and just done it.  Sometimes I'd rather just plan it out.  Still, the procedures are my own warped combination of whatever I think will work.  I like sigils because they're so personalized.  Anything else that can be personalized is ideal as well.

In short, I'm weird.

[branwen]

I don't consider my altar particularly elaborate - just cluttered.  Comes from being a witch for around 30 years and from having a supply store for a while.  When I started, I had a milk crate with a few candles and an incense burner in it.  I kept it in the closet and brought it out as needed.  All I had to do was turn it over, put a white towel over it, and place my candles on it, along with stones, shells, driftwood and whatever else I'd been collecting.

Although some tools are associated with high magic, I think there are more important indicators.  Kitchen witches, as well as Traditional Witches like myself, have a view of magic that doesn't require a lot of ceremony (or tools) to perform.  For me, magic is everywhere because it comes from the Earth.  However, a beautifully performed Wiccan ritual can be uplifting as well.  Also, as a solitary witch, I'm honored when a coven invites me to participate in a holiday celebration and I welcome the companionship.  They know my beliefs are somewhat different and those rare occasions become a chance to discuss our views with mutual respect.

Of course, no one in their right mind would let me near a sword! :twisted:

[Anonymous]

I don't have an altar but I'm clearing a room for my witchcraft-related stuff. I've been active for 11 years, so there isn't room on a shelf or in a chest/box.

Well, I've been practising for around 9 years, but firstly most of the things I might use on an altar or in rituals are consumable (eg candles, flowers and oils), and secondly I've moved home 5 times, each time having ruthless clearouts to prevent drowning in my belongings!  I try to (heheh) limit the amount of material things I become attached to!

[Anonymous]

I'm an uncurable collector of stuff I do so many crafts (talismans, amulets etc.) that's why there's so much stuff When we get a house (soon I hope), I'll probably have to go through it and throw some of it out.

[Anonymous]

I would say I am more of a kitchen witch. I do rituals and spells, but I don't use high magick/ ceremonial magick to do it. I use simple and creative things and ways to do my craft.

[Anonymous]

myself i'm a bit of everything witch!!! i cant seem to find my "path" of late. i think i've always known i was a witch but ignored it for as long as i could, now i find it impossible to get started!!  

i have however, been reading about starting as a kitchen witch and in the book it said the easiest and smoothest way was to make drinks charged with energy! anyone know anything about this?
 i think the problem is so many "authors" aim to cash in on the whole "witch revolution" that the media keeps ranting on about, and so what use to be very genuine material gets lost in the commercialisation. i'm concerned that i'll try this and it'll be a fake and knock my confidence so much i'll go back into the "closet!". hope someone has the answer!
Weaver

[Anonymous]

i think i've always known i was a witch but ignored it for as long as i could, now i find it impossible to get started!!  

My guess is that you're pushing too hard, then.

i have however, been reading about starting as a kitchen witch and in the book it said the easiest and smoothest way was to make drinks charged with energy! anyone know anything about this?

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by that, but sometimes I sort of push certain energies into things, either to dissipate over a period of time or to ingest.  One example is when the grocery store has free samples.  For that brief amount of time I perceive the sample as a gift, not an attempt to push product.  I sort of imagine the sample overflowing with generous energy and then I eat it, which makes me feel quite happy and kind to others.

Pushing energy in might seem a bit easier when you're actually making whatever it is since you're so involved in the process as it is.  I'm guessing that's what the book is suggesting.

i think the problem is so many "authors" aim to cash in on the whole "witch revolution" that the media keeps ranting on about, and so what use to be very genuine material gets lost in the commercialisation. i'm concerned that i'll try this and it'll be a fake and knock my confidence so much i'll go back into the "closet!". hope someone has the answer!

What's the harm of just experimenting on your own without any books?  I only use books for the subjects of philosophy and religion, and to get fresh ideas - the best ideas come from books you'd never find in the New Age section, I find.

So long as you're not dealing with anything potentially hazardous, I seriously see little use in reading books before you start.  Sure, you might not get far, but doesn't it mean more to you if you gain your knowledge through your own work and not by reading the latest paperback?  There are some very well-respected authors out there whose guidelines and advice have no relevance to me.  Had I read first and done later, I never would have tried the really interesting stuff.

(As clarification, I'm talking strictly about magical work.  Pursuing a pre-established religion does require reading or some other form of teaching - how else are you supposed to know what the religion is and isn't?)