spirituality

“Keeping the Hearth- thoughts on Reiki, Rest & Returning to Yourself:”

/ Freya Bishop / Leave a comment

Good day to you, fair Reader…

I am spending my day in the kitchen perfecting my ‘Dutch baby’ recipe! Ever make one?! Perhaps if I perfect it, I will include it in my next entry for you.

But as I wait for the cold ingredients to become room temperature (trying something new here… you know, you have to experiment with kitchen recipes), I decided to sit down and compose an entry about a topic that was near and dear to my heart.

If you have spent any amount of time wandering through my little corner of the world, you have likely discovered that I wear many hats. Some know me as a witch and at this point of my life, I do not hide it anymore! I have been out of the ‘broom closet’ for more than twenty years! Others know me as a psychic medium, a death midwife, a teacher or simply the woman forever accompanied by a steaming mug of coffee and a curious furry companion. Usually on FaceTime calls or Zoom meetings, it is usual to see Widget or Cleo, lovingly called ‘Baby Moo-Moo’ joining in, dancing in front of the camera.

Today, I would like to introduce you to another part of my path: it is called Reiki.

For many years, Reiki has quietly become one of the most meaningful practices in my life. Yet, until now, I have spoken very little about it. Perhaps it is because Reiki has never felt loud. It has never asked to be in the spotlight. Instead, it has always reminded me that some of the most profound transformations happen in whispers rather than shouts. When people hear the words energy healing, they often imagine something mysterious or difficult to understand. I don’t.

To me, Reiki is one of the simplest expressions of compassion. It is the gentle practice of creating space—space for the body to relax, for the mind to quiet and for the spirit to remember that it is safe to rest.

I often think of Reiki as tending a hearth fire. A fire cannot burn brightly if it has been neglected. Sometimes it needs another log. Sometimes the ashes need to be stirred. Sometimes all it needs is someone willing to sit beside it for a while. We are much the same.

Life asks so much of us. We pour ourselves into our families, our work, our friendships and our responsibilities until one day we realize our own flame has grown dim. We continue moving because we believe we must, even as our bodies quietly ask for stillness.

Reiki offers us permission to stop. It does not promise miracles. It does not replace medical care, nor does it ask us to abandon common sense. Rather, it works alongside the many ways we care for ourselves, inviting deep relaxation and supporting our natural capacity to heal.

As a witch, this philosophy feels deeply familiar. Everything in nature seeks balance. The tides ebb and flow. The moon waxes and wanes. The seasons continually transform. We, too, are part of that rhythm. Yet somewhere along the way, many of us forgot that rest is not weakness—it is part of the cycle.

That is why Reiki found its way into my practice. Not because I was searching for another title. Not because I wished to collect another certification but because I witnessed how profoundly simple kindness, presence and intentional touch could help someone reconnect with themselves.

Over time, my passion for this work led me to become a certified Reiki Master Teacher. The more I learned, the more I realized that Reiki is not about “fixing” anyone. It is about creating a peaceful space where healing can unfold in its own time and in its own way.

I look forward to sharing more about Reiki here in future entries—its history, its principles, the misconceptions surrounding it, and the quiet moments that have reminded me why I continue this work.

For now, I simply wanted to open the door and invite you inside. Perhaps, together, we’ll discover that some of life’s greatest magick isn’t found in extraordinary moments at all. Sometimes, it is found in stillness.

Until next time, may your hearth forever be warm, your coffee be delicious and your spirit always remember the light it carries within.

FB.

Magickal Housekeeping 101:

/ Freya Bishop / Leave a comment

Hello Friends and Happy Thursday!:

Come sit with me for a while. Pour yourself a cup of coffee– or tea, if that is more your style– and let’s talk about how to magickally cleanse, care for and protect your home.

The techniques and practices within this little ‘electronic grimoire’ are simple, accessible and beneficial for anyone looking to reset the energy of their space, whether you’re just beginning your path or have been walking it for years.

This is one of my favorite classes to teach. When I offer it in person, I dive much deeper into these practices and share many of these little techniques, traditions and discoveries I’ve gathered throughout my own Craft. There is always something new to learn and there is always another layer of magick waiting to be uncovered.

For those who are interested, I will be offering a Zoom class this autumn that explores these topics in greater depth. It’s still in the works, but I’ll be announcing the details soon, so stay tuned!

So, without further ado…

A Gentle Disclaimer:

Magick is a practice, and like any Craft, it grows stronger through consistency, patience and intention. It isn’t an instant fix or a quick solution. Rather, it unfolds overtime as your relationship with your practice deepens. Trust the process. Stay committed. The more intention you pour into your work, the more naturally your practice will begin to flourish.

“Breathe with your home.”

In a book that I am currently writing (aye, yes– a book! I have been a busy witch!), I talk about the relationship we share with our homes.

I truly believe that our homes absorb our energies. They witness our celebrations, hold our tears and quietly stand besides us through seasons of uncertainty. When we are grieving, our homes grieve with us. When we are joyful, they seem to glow a little brighter. Our living spaces become extensions of ourselves, collecting the emotional echoes of our daily lives.

Because of this, it’s important to give your home opportunities to breathe and release what it has been carrying.

One of the simplest ways to do this is by opening your windows and doors for a short while each day. Invite the element of Air into your home with intention, asking it to carry away stagnant, heavy, or unwanted energy while welcoming clarity, renewal and fresh possibilities.

On a practical level, you’re improving the ventilation throughout your home. On a spiritual level, you’re allowing yesterday’s energy to leave for today’s blessings have room to enter.

To deepen this simple yet powerful ritual, put on a favorite song- or three that empower you. Burn a little incense if it aligns with your practice. Dance while you tidy the room. Laugh. Stretch. Let your home witness your joy just as it has witnessed your hardships.

When you’re ready to close the windows, ring a bell to signify that the cleansing is complete. Bells have long been associated with clearing spiritual residue and marking sacred transitions, making them a beautiful way to conclude the ritual.

If you feel called to do so, speak an affirmation aloud. It can be as simple as:

“Only peace, love, abundance and blessings may dwell within these walls.”

Or create words that feel authentic to your own practice. This is your magick. Your home. Your relationship with spirit.

There isn’t a strict time requirement for this practice but I find that leaving the windows open for about 10 to 15 minutes is usually enough to allow both the physical air and the energetic atmosphere to refresh,

“Caring for your thresholds:”

Pay close attention to your doorways and windows! If you look carefully, you might find leaf carcasses from season’s past, dead bugs, salt from this past winter– yeah, you can say that I am reaching but am I far from the truth?

Also, if you’ve experienced conflict with former friends or lost someone you once envisioned as a potential lover, even if they’ve completely walked out of your life their energetic imprint can still linger in your space. Think of it this way: they entered your world, moved through your energy and then left– but traces of that connection may remain. It’s time to clear out what no longer belongs, release their lingering energy and make room for peace, renewal and the life that is meant for you.

Keep these areas free of dirt, clutter and debris. Your entryway is the first point of contact between your home and the outside world, so treating it as a sacret threshhold can make all the difference.

Once a week, I like to cleanse my foyer (or “foy-ay”) with a mixture of Florida Water and Holy Water to wash away stagnant energy and refresh the spiritual atmosphere. I’m fortunate to have a small ledge where I keep protective statues, LED candles and carefully chosen crystals, each serving as another layer of spiritual protection and intention.

For an added layer of defense, I’ll sprinkle black salt along the doorframe. I allow it to sit for about a day, giving it time to absorb any heavy or unwanted energy before sweeping it out of the front door. As I do, I also remove the crystals so everything can be cleansed, refreshed and returned to its place with renewed purpose.

Above my front door hangs a small bell that chimes whenever someone enters or leaves. Before hanging it, I programmed it with intention: each ring clears away unwanted energies that may try to cross the threshold while inviting blessings, protection and peace into my home. Each chime serves as a gentle reminder that only what is for my highest good is welcome to enter.

A game changer for me was bringing in some old school moon magick and seasonal cycles in my cleaning rotations as I magickally enhanced my home.

“Incorporating the Moon and the Seasons into your Home Practice”

Working in rhythm with the Moon and the changing seasons is one of the easiest ways to keep your home spiritually refreshed. Just as nature moves through cycles of growth, rest, release and renewal, so can our homes– and so can we!

New Moon: Declutter and Setting intentions:

The New Moon is the perfect time to clear away both physical and energetic clutter. Sweep away the cobwebs, organize your spaces and create room for new blessings.

As you clean, as yourself: What am I making space for?

This is an excellent time to tidy your altars, refresh your sacred spaces and reconnect with your intentions.

Offer fresh water, flowers, herbs or whatever is customary within your own practice to your spiritual council, ancestors, or the Gods and Goddesses you work with. Wash your altar cloths, cleanse offering bowls, candle holders and ritual tools. Give everything a fresh start.

Full Moon: Celebrate and Release:

The Full Moon invites us to pause and acknowledge how far we’ve come.

Spend a little extra time at your altar reflecting on the victories– both big and small– you’ve experienced throughout the month. Sometimes simply making it through a difficult week is something worth celebrating.

Stay grounded.

Take inventory of the blessings that surround you.

Gratitude is a form of magick all on it’s own.

Then ask yourself: What am I ready to release?

Write it down. Speak it aloud. Offer it to your altar. Offer it to the Moon. Allow yourself the permission to let it go so that it no longer occupies space within your heart or your home.

Creating Moon Water:

Moon water is one of my favorite magickal tools because of its versatility.

Charge a clean container of water beneath the Moon according to your own tradition and intention. Once charged, you can use it in countless ways throughout your practice.

I love using moon water for:

  • Floor washes to spiritually refresh the home.
  • Simmer pots to add another layer of intention.
  • Cleansing ritual tools or altar spaces,
  • Drinking during personal reflection or meditation (provided you’ve prepared it safely with clean, drinkable water with a covered container– safety first, friends!)

As you sip your moon water during these quiet moments, spend time journaling. Notice what thoughts arise. Pay attention to the messages that seem to flow effortlessly from pen to paper. Often, our greatest guidance arrives when we simply create the space to listen.

Welcoming the Seasons:

Each change of the season is an invitation to renew your home.

Rotate your decor, donate items you no longer use, clean forgotten corners and refresh your living space. Just as Earth transforms with each season, our homes benefit from these intentional moments of transition.

A seasonal refresh isn’t simply about decorating– it’s about allowing your environment to evolve alongside you.

“Let it Simmer:”

One of my favorite weekly rituals is crafting a simmer pot.

There is something deeply comforting about a home filled with fragrance of herbs, fruits, spices and intention. As the steam rises, I envision it carrying blessings into every room while gently lifting away stagnant energy.

Depending upon the ingredients I’ve chosen, I’ll sometimes reserve a portion of the cooled liquid to use as a floor wash. If you decide to do this, craft with care. Some simmer pot recipes contain sugars, fruits and spices that can leave behind a sticky reside, so always test a small area first before using it throughout your home.

There are countless other techniques we could explore– and trust me, I happily could– but why overwhelm you?

Magick is meant to be experienced, not rushed.

Takes these practices one at a time. Experiment with them. Adapt them to fit your own path. Discover what resonates with your spirit and your home. After all, the most powerful practice isn’t the one that looks the most elaborate. It’s the one you’ll return to, again and again, with intention, presence and love.

May your path be guided by wisdom, wonder and a wee bit of magick.

FB.

Seasons of Love: Self-love practices through periods of change

/ Freya Bishop / 2 Comments

Greetings, Friends! (:

I thought for a while about the topic for my next entry and felt like it was appropriate, with Valentine’s Day being tomorrow, to compose an entry about self-love and self-care. We can all be better for ourselves and after all, love begins with establishing a sense of self.

Whether you are ‘celebrating’ Valentine’s Day as a single person or as a taken lover, the tips within this entry will help anyone and everyone who wishes to open themselves up to healing.

  • Plus, this healing is ongoing and is not limited to a day where people buy stuff for each other to proclaim their affections towards each other.

If you would have asked me 10 to 15 years ago if I loved myself, I would have straight up said, “no.” From when I was in the 5th grade, in elementary school, I battled an aggressive eating disorder along with body dysmorphia and that lasted well into my late twenties. It took many years of working on myself to re-calibrate my mind and learn to appreciate me for who and what I am. At 37 years old, I cannot say that I have cracked the code on how to love thy self, but I have learned incredible lessons along the journey of coming home to myself.

As the seasons change and as we age, growing wiser with each passing year, we become more in tune with ourselves. We being developing a taste for what our soul hungers for and do what we must to have more of what we crave in our lives. The bottom line is that we all deserve to find happiness. If you are a magickal practitioner, it’s normal to get swept away by life and get carried away from our practices and rituals. They help cement a solid foundation for us and create that stability. When we come back to ourselves, man, does it feel wonderful to come back home.

  • And on a personal note: this is where I am in my healing journey.
    • I am finding an appreciation to do actions from my heart and the result is profound joy.

Here are some of my tips and rituals to help benefit those who have an open heart and wish to heal:

1.) Put on a happy face:

Fran Drescher, one of my all-time idols, once said in an episode of “The Nanny” that “When you look good, you feel good.” She was definitely onto something quite awe inspiring!

  • For me, part of my beauty ritual is to put on my rose water toner and massage my face with a Rose Quartz roller.
    • Then, I will put on some moisturizer, some make-up, spritz on my favorite perfume (Givenchy’s L’Interdit or Amarige for those curious) and put a few pieces of jewelry from my ‘Tiffany & Company’ collection.
      • I am dolling myself up for me, despite working from home each day.
  • I also will take a moment, in the mirror to look at myself and will smile to myself.
    • Back in the day, THIS task was difficult for me to do.
      • When you are learning how to love yourself, it’s daunting to look at yourself in the mirror and smile at yourself. It takes time, practice, patience and an open heart.
  • To add an element of witchcraft into this practice, all of my makeup and my RQ roller are cleansed and charged under the moon.
    • Certain intentions have been set for each beauty item that I will use as well.
      • It adds power and intention!
  • My favorite beauty item is my lipstick and lately, I have been playing with different hues. I am known for wearing a bold red lip and have adopted a soft pink/coral into my makeup bag. I wear lipstick all day long and have gotten to a point where, “A girl can’t (fill in the blank) that sort of thing without her lipstick.”
    • A wee nod to my favorite actress, Audrey Hepburn who played Holly Golightly in “Breakfast At Tiffany’s.“

Being able to get myself ready for the day helps me feel better and more productive. I feel like I can conquer anything that is thrown in my lap throughout the day. It gives me confidence!

2.) Drink out of a fancy glass when you eat, just because you can:

My grandmother has a closet full of Waterford crystal and I was lucky to inherit some pieces from her collection. I adore using a champagne flute and a goblet when I prepare a meal for myself.

  • Why wait for a special occasion to drink out of a beautiful glass?
    • I never understood why these beautiful glasses will sit, upon a shelf, in a cabinet, collecting dust and not be used… ever. They deserve to be used and appreciated!
      • Celebrate each moment within your life, even the smallest of moments– they count too!

It has become a ritual to break out my special glass and use it whenever I cook a meal for myself: whether it’s breakfast or dinner, it allows me to appreciate the cooking that I have done and savor it.

Here’s my wee blessing for you, my Dear Friend: I toast to you! May you always appreciate and value yourself! Celebrate you on this day. May your goblet be hydrating and full and as you drink from it, may it replenish your spirit! Slàinte Mhath!

3.) Create a ‘feel good’ playlist!:

Music is the ultimate connector of souls and the healer of wounds.

Within my studio and in my home, music is a constant force within it. Whether it’s Billy Joel, Enya or Mozart, having music dance around my living space is beautiful. I even created a playlist for when I am putting on my ‘happy face’ in the morning. It makes all the difference in the world.

Get creative and make a playlist! You can make one for just about anything. For myself, I have playlists that are dedicated to: meditations, Avalon-inspired music, rituals, songs that get in touch with my inner-witch, music for when I am composing my book- the list goes on!

Creating a playlist will help motivate you to do what you wish or need to get done.

4.) Adopt a self-care practice:

This year, one of my goals was to learn how to tend to my nails– both hands and feet. Each week, I tend to them and can say that it’s been a fun experience to learn how to care of them. I now have a new appreciation for my hands.

Other self-care practices that you could incorporate would be journaling, meditating, exercising, Reiki treatments, taking baths, cooking healthier meals, get a weekly or monthly massage, craft a magickal simmer pot (I love these!), take a yoga class.

The sky is the limit! Be bold and adventure into different ways that you can care for yourself. Remember, you are worthy and deserving of this! Caring for yourself and making that time is important. You need it.

5.) Candle Magick:

Pink is the color of love– love of self and love of another.

In my studio, I like to burn a dressed pink candle to remind myself that I am worth that love and its energies that I am manifesting. Sometimes, we forget that and this is a great way to remind yourself that you are deserving of the love that you wish for.

6.) Daily mantras and affirmations:

I started adopting this into my practice several years ago and I found this to be quite profound. For this ritual, you’d stand in front of your mirror and speak to yourself, from the heart.

Some mantras and affirmations that you can use… and you can create your own as well:

  • I am healing myself.
  • I am beautiful and worthy of love.
  • I am a radiant being.
  • I love myself.
  • I am worthy of success and greatness.
  • I deserve to be happy.
  • The life that I dream of is within my reach.

7.) Buy yourself flowers:

If Miley Cyrus taught us anything last year with her Grammy winning hit song “Flowers” it was that we can buy our own darn flowers and love ourselves, unapologetically.

Why wait for someone else to buy them? Personally, I think it’s rot. I find it lovely and empowering to buy them for myself (especially if I am going to be working with them, magickally).

If you have a lovely vase to put them in to admire, even better! AND when you are finished admiring your roses, if you are a fan of roses, that is, you can make Rose Water, my favorite magickal water!

8.) Take yourself out for a date:

It could be a cup of coffee, which happens to be my favorite date, especially when I have a book or a tarot deck in hand. You can even take yourself out to the beach or park. Spend the day being outside with yourself, enjoying your life.

9.) The Healing Energies of Crystals:

In my previous entry, I covered some of the magickal properties and uses of this powerful crystal. Rose Quartz is a powerhouse crystal and it can help someone who is struggling with low self-esteem.

Here’s that entry for those who are curious:

Crystal series- Rose Quartz
And sure, this can open up the door to working with other amazing crystals and believe me, you will expand on your collection in no time! Maybe part of your self-love and self-care practice is to gift yourself a new crystal every now and then! (:

When working with crystals, just make sure that you cleanse and charge them regularly, especially if you are going to be wearing them daily as jewelry or carrying them on you.

10.) Burn shit up:

My cauldron is my sacred tool. When I need to release energies and tension, I light it on fire and create a ritual out of it.

11.) Craft a sacred bath:

As a Water Witch, I gather strength and find solace within the healing element of the water. I enjoy infusing my bath water with fresh rose petals, sprigs of rosemary and other herbal/floral additions that I fancy. Before stepping into the water, I will give the water Reiki to infuse the water with healing energies and with each ingredient, I will continue to infuse Reiki energy into the tub.

On days when I am feeling quite drained, I will do this. When I step out of the tub, I am refreshed and invigorated.

To the Anti-Valentine’s Day Souls:

Now, if you are someone who is against Valentine’s Day as a whole entity, I am right there right you. We all have our reasons for disliking the day and yes, it brings up traumas for different people.

In fact, I will share with you a personal story that not too many people know about me and my family:

Valentine’s Day has been somewhat of a cursed day within my family. My grandfather passed away on Valentine’s Day and growing up, children in elementary/grade school were quite cruel to me on this horrid ‘holiday’. I was avoided at all costs by the majority of my classmates and rumors about how ‘if Freya had a Valentine, you’d die just like her grandfather’ circulated throughout the school and the hallways. Goddess forbid if I had a crush and attempted to give him a Valentine… I was ridiculed in front of the entire class– and that happened, twice! I avoided the day throughout my entire life (including my adult life) but this year, I plan on celebrating the day a wee bit differently.

In my life, I have two people who I love more than anything in the world: my child and my grandmother. We have adventures each day and show our love for each other all day long. Our love is not limited to one day of the year, it is ongoing! On Valentine’s Day, we plan on having a wee party. I am going to make a strawberry cake, some heart cookies and we’ll have some ice cream floats. Maybe I will make a heart shaped pizza too!

I want to teach my child that we show our affections and appreciations constantly towards the ones that we love, not just a day marketed to people to buy a bunch of flowers and candy.

  • Since my child is the next generation, and I do not want my trauma of a stupid, silly holiday passing onto them, it’s important for me to be better and to teach my child about what the day represents.
  • We will also talk a wee bit about my grandfather, their great-grandfather.
    • I have some pictures that I have pulled out that I will show them.
    • Later on, we will light a candle for my grandfather.

Self-love practices are ongoing and we will cultivate different modalities of healing as we go through life. Sure, it’s normal to get discouraged, at times, but never forget that you are worthy of this time. Like with many things in life, this is a practice and you’ll get the hang of it. I believe in you <3

Sending you much love!

FB.

Crystal series- Rose Quartz

/ Freya Bishop / 1 Comment

Good day to you, Friends! I hope that you are doing well and that you are having a wonderful day, as always.

A new addition that I wanted to add into my blog was to compose a “Crystal series.” This week, we will be learning about “Rose Quartz“- the stone of love and healing of the heart. Each week, I will be posting about a specific crystal and the entry will include:

  • How to utilize it in you everyday life.
  • It’s uses and magickal properties.
  • Other useful information.

Let’s get to it (:

While working in Salem, MA, it was evident that this crystal was one that was hard to keep on the shelves. Rose Quartz is associated with matters of the heart. There were many times when love struck individuals would come into the shoppe, searching for a candle that would bring a lover back to them and upon reading the description of what a tumbled ‘Rose Quartz’ could do, the stone would get snatched up and added to an order. Personally, I find that this crystal can be utilized in many ways than just ‘love’, so let’s hop into it:

  • I have always described Rose Quartz as a ‘warm blanket that you have just taken out of the dryer and wrapped around yourself.’ It wraps you up in a blanket of love!
    • If you are someone who is struggling with self-image, self-love, confidence, battling an eating disorder or anything else that requires an instant “pick me up”, Rose Quartz can help heal your heart and find that love to have for yourself.
      • Personal story: When I was in recovery of my Eating Disorder many, many years ago, a close friend gave me a piece of Rose Quartz to remind me to ‘heal with grace.’
        • This crystal, from my own personal experience, works wonders and can support with that healing!
    • It will absorb the hurt or disappointment that you maybe feeling and replaces those feelings with peace, love and healing.
  • Rose Quartz will gently open your heart to love, especially if you have been through a break up.
  • Rose Quartz can help us embrace kindness, compassion, learn how to trust our hearts and find the bravery to trust in others again.
  • Rose Quartz reminds us that love is all around you! Whether it is the love of friends, family, your animal companions, there is love to be celebrated.
  • Yes, Rose Quartz can assist with bringing in a lover into your life– but be careful– you want the partner that will best match your frequencies and be the best match for you.
  • If you are experience a death in your family and are grieving, Rose Quartz can help soothe your heart:
    • As a Death Doula/Midwife, there has been plenty of times when I would gift families tumbled Rose Quartz crystals for them as they navigated their grief.
  • With regards to physical heart health issues, Rose Quartz assists with strengthening and balancing the heart:
    • It assist with better blood circulation and flow and can assist with high blood pressure.
      • Personal story: Whenever I am stressed out, I tend to feel “it” a lot in my chest. With my family’s history of Heart health issues, I am very careful with these concerns.
        • I will meditate and or wear a piece of Rose Quartz over my heart to absorb that anxious/stressful energy. For me, it helps tremendously.

You can either wear Rose Quartz as a piece of jewelry (bracelets, pendant, ring, earrings). Crystals like to be worn skin-to-skin and be close to you. If that’s not your cup of tea, you can always have it around your home, bedroom or your workspace.

I have a Rose Quartz sphere in my studio and whenever I look at it, I am immediately reminded to be gentle with myself and show myself a little bit of appreciation.

  • Note: If you are going to wear your jewelry pieces, remember to cleanse them regularly. They tend to absorb more energies the more that they are worn. Like a battery, they need to be charged and cleansed (:

With Rose Quartz, I love cleansing it with incense smoke or bathing it under cool water. During the Full Moon, I will leave it out for it to absorb the Moon’s rays and to charge.

*Disclaimer: Crystal healing is a wonderful healing modality to add into your practices but should NEVER take the place of medical care and intervention. If you are experiencing a true and real medical problem, please speak to your doctor!

I am sure that as I continue to think of other properties and magickal uses for Rose Quartz, I will add them to here. I hope that you enjoyed this entry! I cannot wait for next week’s crystal– I am between two crystals to discuss next week… but I will allow that to be a surprise!

Until then,

FB.