City Witch
Connecting with nature and practicing magick in an urban or suburban environment.
Many of us may dream of a cottage buried deep in the woods filled with dried herbs we collected in the nearby forest and drawing our moon water from a stream before dancing naked under the full moon.
In reality... the majority of us live in cities either in urban or suburban settings. It can be difficult to really grasp nature and feel Her presence. To find a witchy feeling among traffic, noise, neighbors far too close for comfort, sidewalks, roads, and concrete as far as the eye can see.
Bring nature to you!-
If you have a backyard you can set up a small outdoor altar, a fire pit, garden. This of course depends on your neighbors and privacy.
Have houseplants galore, a small indoor garden. Even if you have a black thumb of sorts you can find plants that are easy to care for.
Collecting stones, rocks, seashells from nature
Setting up a space on your altar or in your home in a specific area filled with plants, flowers, rocks, etc... can be so magickal. I am awful with plants it has been a struggle to learn and find easy plants but I love it. I have a subscription to lunarly monthly box and every other month you get a new houseplant! I really love it. But just take the time to do research and explore plants.
Road Trips-
Look up nature state parks near you!
Go hiking
Camping for a weekend or overnight
Just go and sit in nature for a few hours and enjoy it!
Cons-
!! Never have open flames in parks
Concerns over safety are always present. You may not feel safe alone in a park or camping. If you do go, always tell people where you are going exactly and when you plan to be back. Don't wonder off. Always bring a fully charged cell phone.
May not be able to do an open ritual if other people are around/lack of privacy
Issues with poor weather
May be a long drive/lack of transportation
Local Parks-
I live in a smaller town and yet we have tons of small local parks. Some close enough to walk to. Definitely explore your town! Some of the parks are lovely and relaxing and others are just meh with a large piece of grass and or with basketball courts and playground equipment, not a tree in sight.
There are obviously cons such as loud families and children running about, lack of privacy, safety concerns.
Try to go at off-peak times if safe (this doesn't mean go at midnight but early mornings or later afternoon/early evening, when kids are in school during the weekdays, etc.... You don't need to bring out a whole altar setup, pack a picnic, pray, meditate, relax and just be at one with nature and the Goddess.
It can be about small moments!
Just take a walk, feel the air and openness. Take a deep breath and take it in. I walk really early in the morning and take my dogs. I prefer early in the morning when there are fewer people about, less traffic, it almost feels like it all belongs to me.
I walk nearly every single day, weather depending.
Take your kids or dog to the park, feel the grass between your toes or fingers, feel the breeze, feel the sun on your skin. Take it all in.
You have to take the time and make the effort. But it is worth it in the end!