You're A Green Witch! Now What?
How to use your craft to make a difference
We are very aware of the environment around us but we may not always know how to interact with it or what habits we can begin to make us feel more integrated with it. Here are a few long, short and instant gratification practices that you can start to help you on your journey to a greener life!
Long and Short Term Goals
Plant Based Eating: I know this can bring up quite a lot of feelings for everyone but before you turn off mentally, let’s talk. Plant based eating doesn’t always mean 100% of the time though that often is the goal, but rather encourages 50% of your meal be plants. That’s doable yea? So what about the other 50%?
Buy Local Foods: Try the absolute best you can to make it as close to the source as possible. For instance, get your dairy locally and grass fed. Get your meats locally, grass fed or free range, and from a responsible butcher. Do some research into raw foods and just generally be an informed consumer. No matter your price point, being an informed consumer helps you to live closer to nature. Right now (yes even during quarantine.. just be mindful others please) there are farmer’s markets going on all around. I’m fortunate to live in an area where there’s plenty of local farmers that sell everything from produce to baked goods to meat but if you’re an inner city dweller try looking for natural food stores, co-ops, and the like. Remember to always give thanks for your food no matter where it comes from or what it is to whatever spirit you believe in, the people who grew it and made it, and the spirit of the plant or animal that was sacrificed to nourish you.
Zero waste: Oh how daunting this seems. It’s not I swear. All it takes is a change in thought. Plastic bags? Get paper or reusable. Produce bags? Make some from old tee shirts by cutting off the sleeves, sewing up the bottom and cutting holes for breathability. Check out Pinterest because there’s a ton of tutorials that are far more in depth and have visuals. Donate old things, upcycle, recycle, get on Pinterest for ideas, join a zero waster group on Facebook, find out where your local bulk food store is and if they’ll accept bringing in your own jars (may be difficult with COVID but there are places that will let you do this) but making those small steps can make a massive difference
Become a grower: If you have the time and the space, being a grower is very rewarding not only in your craft but monetarily as well. You can control what goes into your produce and herbs as well as how much love they receive. You could sell your wares as is in a farmer’s market as is or as teas, tinctures, baked goods, balms, lotions, potions, salad bowls, dehydrated mason jar soup mixes, etc.!
Teacher: If you're well versed in growing, foraging, medicinal herbs, culinary arts, why not become a teacher? Hold a few classes and share your knowledge with people close to you. You don’t have to get witchy unless you want to and you could even do it via Zoom.
Being an activist: This can be daunting to some and natural to others. There’s plenty of low key ways to get involved at a local level….volunteering in your community, protests, sponsoring adoptions, can drives, raising money, neighborhood gardening. We could go on and on but these are just a few ideas to get you started.
Instant Earthy Do Gooder Vibes
Raising some butterflies, moths, ladybugs or praying mantises: There are plenty of places online or locally if you’re lucky, but please do your due diligence and make sure the species you select is native to your area. You really don’t want to introduce an evasive species into your area and cause all sorts of havoc. This is actually a great Ostara project for the family if you have little ones. Most places give you everything you could possibly need to raise them so it’s very low stress. Check out www.insectlore.com where I purchased my Painted Lady butterflies!
Herbs of the Week
Thyme and Mint
Famous Witch In History
Marie Laveau
Check out these books about her at bookshop.com, your independent bookstore or your local library!
The Magic of Marie Laveau : Embracing the Spiritual Legacy of the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans
A New Orleans Voudou Priestess: The Legend and Reality of Marie Laveau by Carolyn Morrow Long
The Mysterious Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau by Ina Johanna Fandrich
Comments