Why You Should Simplify Your Witchcraft, Spiritual, or Occult Practice

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[danielleking]

I so agree. I call myself a lazy witch. I have never felt comfortable doing elaborate rituals. I clean and cleanse my house, using regular cleaners and normal tools but I add a pinch of salt here, and herb there, some music while I work, burn some incense when a room is done, simple things within that mundane task to make it magical. Taking care of my family, my pets, my plants, my yard, all become little magical rituals. Taking a walk, reading a book, meditation. I fill my day with small routines, where having my morning coffee becomes magical. I don't do many spells at all anymore. I just try to make each moment magical in small ways. Now that I'm trying to incorporate deity work, I offer parts of my routine to them, even something as simple as making my bed or dusting my altars, feeding my pets, self care, whatever I'm doing. I find I feel more spiritual doing the simple things then I do trying to do some elaborate ritual.

[allie]

I love this. I definitely suffer from information overload with my magical practice. I've really tried to remind myself lately that just sitting and doing something small and simple is better than doing nothing at all, like you said. It's so great to hear other people talk about doing meaningful simple things instead of giant, complicated rituals.

[lunawolf]

Hardly ever do elaborate spells. Music, candles, and incense incorporates the majority of my practice. I enjoy being an armchair magician because I love learning new things, even if it’s not my cup of tea to practice. I do occasionally become overwhelmed with possibilities and that’s when I do a little bit of sigil work, cleanse and clean my room, and rock out to my witchcraft playlist or the playlist for my deity. I have slowly been incorporating giving regular offerings to my deity, as consistency has always been an issue for me. It’s nice to see that people are advocating for the slower more practical approach to magic.

[djjohnson]

Acts of service are my favorite offerings. All of my workouts are in dedication to the Morrigan. She really likes when I’m in that warrior mindset.

[TheWitchOfEnchantment]

I can’t even begin to tell you how much I relate to this so deeply!! Not enough people are talking about this topic in this way. Your truly inspiring ❤

[jenwong]

This 💯. The WC is so overwhelming right now. When I started in the 90s there was maybe two main books that you could find on the subject and now it’s just such an overload of information. I think just breaking it down to basics and taking time to really get to know the objects you’re working with is better than not trying anything at all because you don’t know where to start. Great video and keep doing unscripted- you’re so great at it!

[NYCHFAN]

Love this! I haven't been practicing long - maybe just a few years, but honestly, most of my magic is dressing a candle and lighting it. Sometimes it's elaborately done with herbs, oils, & crystals, other times I put some oil or carve a sigil on it and light it. I don't like ceremony, and have at times wondered if my practice is valid because it's so simple. I do petition saints sometimes, and I have Isis and Mary on my altar. I'll burn candles to honor/thank them. And I read tarot. Thank you for the validation.✌️❤️🃏🕯🍀😻👻🧙‍♀️❤️

[sikrutidas]

One thing came to my mind while watching this video when you were talking about stimulation overload and lack of silence is that we often want one thing that does every single thing, for example cellphone it can be an amazing way of keeping online book of shadows with all pictures one could think of but it becomes so chaotic at a point. When I see my study lamp turned on my brain easily registers it's time to study, when I see my kindle my brain gets excited that I would read a book time rather than getting distracted and scrolling for hours. No offense to digital book of shadows or any advance expensive tools. I do agree with you when you said random and simplest stuff work effortlessly rather than complicated and expensive stuff (no offense to store bought tools).

[DollyKauionalani]

I love this! I feel that the more simple I keep it, the clearer my intention is able to be set and it has better results. As far as deity work, Bast has her own altar on my main altar, and a cat accessible altar where I feed my 4 cats. I spoil my cats rotten in her name, and I do what I can to help other cats. I don't do anything particular daily, but I light a candle for her most days. I'll collect shed claws and whiskers that I find and place them on her altar. I use them in my practice, but always return them to her. Don't know why, I just feel like I'm supposed to do that. I don't have a lot of money, I work crazy retail hours, and am in pain and exhausted most days when I get home. I think she understands why I don't keep up a more regular, more elaborate practice. I do what I can! But mainly it's all about spoiling my kitties and keeping them happy.

[EdgarFrog]

This is exactly what I need right now. Been struggling with how I want to practice vs how other people do it. Glad to see I am not the only one who feels like breaking it down to basics. Always love seeing your videos and gaining the prospective of a fellow chaos magic practitioner.

[sandiiithesinger]

Everything changed for me when I simplified, which happened by accident because I was moving. The magic and miracles I’ve experienced have been…amazing.❤

[RavenNor]

Thank you so much for this video, Ivy!! As someone who is new to witchcraft, I have often been very overwhelmed with what to do, how to do it, what to use for my practice. Unfortunately, when I get that overwhelmed the analysis paralysis sets it. It's very encouraging when someone with years of experience, like yourself, explain a more simplified way to practice. It truly helps us newbies!

[DeBorahae]

Thank you so much for this! I’ve been struggling with spending time at my altar and working my craft because I felt like if I wasn’t doing some type of ritual just to prepare for meditation or work with my cards then I was doing it wrong. And this led to many days where I did nothing because I was overwhelmed. Having osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia there are days when I barely feel like getting out of bed so I started feeling guilty that I wasn’t putting in time at my altar. On days like that I usually listen to guided meditations, shamanic journeys, etc…but I felt like I wasn’t doing enough. This video also helped me realize I don’t need every tool out there on my altar. I had it decorated so much that it didn’t leave any space to work 🤦🏾‍♀️. Loved this video, definitely subscribing 😊

[elizabethmackay]

I love this! My witchcraft didnt 'look' like 90s witchcraft and it doesnt look like insta witchcraft today. I use a pot that came with a baking cheese at christmas as a couldren, i have a stick that i found one day as a wand. I have very few tools but i connect deeply with every one of them. I think the first step for beginners is too see the magical in the mundane, to feel into your practice, not to worry if it looks pretty, what type of witch you are, but to really feel deeply into what you are called, drawn too. To be open minded to the idea that over time your practice will change, you will change. I believe we grow into our practice, as we change and learn it grows and so do we. Its nice to have the beautiful things, and they can enhance our practice, but i feel they only do so if we are open minded enough to see and feel that magic they hold. A stick is just a stick, a candle just a candle if we dont look beyond its physical form. If we make everything elaborate and worry if we get it right because it doesnt look like someone elses practice, we loose the essence of our own magic. I love learning from others and i love exploring different ways that others practice, but at the end of the day i have to be true to what i feel is right for me, to revel and enjoy the freedom of others practice without getting down about my own. If somedays all i do is stir the intention to have a good day into my first cup of coffee, im still a witch. I love your videos especially ones like this! Thankyou 🙏

[artawhirler]

I'm an old mystic hermit and I approve this message. 😊

[LaLaLoopsyCutie]

I would like to say that even buying a tool or materials doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t be potent! for example i have a beautiful handmade wand with a pentacle carved into the handle from the renaissance faire. for one thing, i LOVE the ren faire and it has super special memories and energy to me, the place itself is very pagan and very friendly, high energy and happy. secondly the wand was handmade by an artist that was working there, and he etched the pentacle for free! so there’s passionate and careful energy from the artist, i got to support a small business and i got a dope ass wand w it! that thing is my pride and joy and currently sits in a potted plant to charge w earth energy! so, it really all depends on YOUR energy, intuition, and response to other ppl and things that make ur practice powerful! THATS why you don’t NEED the tools, it all comes from you still

[heatherhanson]

I agree with all of this. When I first started practicing in the early 2000s, most of the books available had information on very elaborate spells and rituals. It was so overwhelming that I would not do much at all. However, in the last 7ish years I have been doing a lot more consistently because I simplified things. I was starting fresh after taking a step away for a few years. I had no tools, herbs, or books which ended up being a great way to start fresh. I learned to use what I had or what I could find and it made my practice very special to me and I noticed my spells would work so much better with less. Simple acts like going for a hike or working out became magical. This whole video is great advice for anyone who feels overwhelmed with their practice.

[MagicandMantra]

I literally have been taking the pressure of my practice and have been leaning into easy- small -comfortable spells and rituals . I find there is more time for my magic when it’s more relaxed and simple ❤ perfect timing thank you

[rebeccalowry]

Thank you so much for this video. I have put my spiritual path on hiatus in the past because I overwhelmed myself. Now I try to remind myself to keep it simple.

[spiritofganesh]

Thank you, Ivy, for this chat, I relate completely to these subjects. Mondays are my spiritual witchy days, I sweep and mop with intention and use pine scented liquid or Florida Water, I make my coffee and make a couple extra cups as offerings. I light a candle in the kitchen and an incense as an offering to my home's spirit. Then water the plants. It's a very magickal day because I feel magickal when I am connecting to or doing things with intention and presence ✨️ Sending you love and appreciation ❤️