In my last post, I wrote about the times in life in which nothing seems to flow, and we feel stuck. I suggested active daydreaming as a way of not only passing time, but also to tap into what you want to create. You can read that post here.
Some of you asked why I (as a witch) don’t just cast a spell to get unstuck. The short answer is, I do. The longer answer is, when everything starts to go wrong all at once it’s important to get to the root of the issue. Without knowing the cause, it’s hard to come up with a long-term solution. It could be that the direction I want to go in isn’t ultimately good for me and the universe is throwing obstacles in my path to let me know I need to change course. It could be that there are people out there whose clogged energy I somehow absorbed. It could be a combination of many factors (and usually it is).
To gain some clarity before casting a spell, I turn to a divination technique – tarot, rune stones, tea leaf reading, mirror scrying, dream work. Most of the time, this helps me to understand what has happened, so I know what to do next. And if I’m still seeing scattered puzzle pieces through a layer of fog instead of a clear picture, that’s when I know it’s time to just rest and accept that things are going to be chaotic for a while.
Yes, I could just cast a “get unstuck spell,” and this might help, briefly. But I’ve learned from experience that if I don’t rest to really listen to what the universe is trying to tell me, these kinds of solutions are only temporary. It’s better to just embrace the unknown for a time and when I understand the message, only then can I heal the root cause of the issue and begin to progress in my life journey. Collaborating with the divine to create the life I want to live is much more beneficial than stubbornly adhering to a path not meant for me. Perhaps (in my next post) I’ll talk more about the ways we can craft the lives that are meant for us. Comment below to let me know if you’d like to read about that, or what you would like me to talk about next time.
What I’m trying to get at is that our lives are full of periods of waxing and waning. There are times to keep persevering and there are times to rest.
I was in a resting place for most of August –most of the summer, honestly. After a productive and fruitful spring, summer brought everything to a standstill. Not only did my sources of income begin to dry up all at once, but my family seemed to be stuck in a cycle of misfortune, and several family members and friends were dealing with serious illnesses. Anytime I’d consult my tarot (or rune stones etc.) the answers were hazy. I was spending so much energy cleansing and protecting my space and my people, gathering story threads, and listening to the ancestors and spirit guides that I couldn’t get any projects off the ground.
This sounds stressful, and it was, but I also managed to connect with the land around my home in a beautiful and meaningful way. I harvested lots of plants, made medicine, sent care parcels to loved ones, and had some incredible dreams.
The day after I posted my last newsletter, things started to flow again. It could be that I’d just worked through the issues the universe was telling me I needed to, or it could be that I just needed to talk about it openly and let people know that I was struggling.
I’ll leave it up to you to decide whether spells were cast. Let’s just say, things began to make sense and the messages were heard loud and clear.
Lately, my creative energy is flowing. There’s good news about my poetry that I will hopefully get to share with you next time. I’m writing every day. I’m actively submitting poems and short stories. And I’ve returned to work on my first novel.
The waning period seems to be coming to an end. It was necessary so that I could return to the path I’ve agreed to. The path of a writer. The path of a witch. The path of a healer. My purpose is clear to me. The threads that were hidden are now visible. I’m ready to begin weaving them into the next chapter of my life.
Bio: Caitlin Gemmell is a poet, novelist, and witch. Her poems have been featured in publications such as Rue Scribe, One Sentence Poems, and Minison Project Zine. She is the author of Spinning Hair Into Gold. Her forthcoming poetry book, True North, is available to preorder and will release on September 22. Connect with her on Instagram @icapturethestory or through her #enchantedsimplicity hashtag.
Pretty sure I'd like and enjoy anything you write about in the next blog. Sitting here at my desk wishing I had some wisdom to pass on to help. Wracking my brain for something witty and smart but then I remembered reading something recently. Not that smart or genius of a person so anything I did write most likely wouldn't help but the thing I read was that sometimes, just listening and being quiet when a friend needs to talk is valuable and comforting. Been there myself so just know that I feel your pain and turmoil. Always willing to read an email or text and share life's confusion. Sending love and good vibrations your way my friend. Thanks for being that lighthouse to the ships at sea.
I agree so much. Sometimes the only way is through, and we have so much to learn from our hard lessons.