How to become a ‘wellness witch’

Lifestyle

Oct 6

Magic comes from within, according to Hawaiian author and practicing witch Nikki Van De Car. She considers her 10 books on crafting, magical practices and natural remedies to be “starter-witchy guides for people who are curious about incorporating magic and witchcraft into holistic self-care from the inside-out.”

“I got into this for fun and am just going energetically,” says Nikki. “The practices I share are all things that have helped me connect with nature and my own power.”

Nikki’s “Wellness Witch: Healing Potions, Soothing Spells, and Empowering Rituals for Self-Care,” beautifully illustrated by Anisa Makhoul, is a wonderful source for discovering powerful crystals, calming teas and gentle oils, all of which assist in creating magic. She writes, “Becoming a wellness witch can begin with something as simple as intention.” Indeed, putting thought into everyday actions, such as preparing meals, can ignite one’s inner “wellness witch.”

Here’s three of Nikki’s rituals for mystical self-care:

Step 1: Mindful gardening

“A wellness witch relies on her garden,” writes Nikki, claiming that no matter the size or location, intentionally harvesting healing herbs like lavender can be enchanting for the soul. She recognized the power of a garden when she moved from the lush of Hawaii to the concrete jungle of New York City where she felt “trapped by the energy of other people.”

Correspondingly, Psychology Today promotes the benefits of having a garden no matter where you live, even if it means just having one plant in your windowsill. Their studies show gardening to be a “life-giving” activity that pushes people to move beyond perfectionism, be present and deeply connect with the world.

“When we finally moved back to Hawaii, I noticed the exchange we have with nature,” says Nikki. “We nourish our plants and they nourish us in a variety of ways. To be able to go outside and pick a lemon from a tree instead of driving to the store is not only convenient, but it’s also so empowering to know that you can create all you need.”

Check out Nikki’s most recent book, “The Witchy Homestead,” for more insights on how to intertwine your life with elements of the natural world.

Step 2: Moon journaling

The moon beams purely with reflective light, meaning it’s distorted and comes through a filter. Therefore, according to Nikki, and many other astrologers and influencers, the moon is immensely powerful and can help one to see their lives more clearly. For instance, when there’s a new moon, Nikki advises writing specific manifestations about love, creativity or whatever new thing you want to bring into your life.

Nikki compares the moon’s shine to an accessory mom brings to the beach, saying,

“When I’m looking at the ocean with my eyes, all I see is blue. But when I put on my mom’s filtered sunglasses, the light is shifted and I can actually see the different depths of water as it goes out, and it’s so amazing. Just like this, the rhythms of the moon help us see what’s really going on in our lives more clearly.”

What’s lovely about moon journaling is that all you need is a pen, paper and as Nikki says, “a reaching mind.” You might want to also follow a moon phase calendar and buy yourself an aesthetic moon journal.

Step 3: Baking with intention

In BTS’ smooth summer hit, “Butter,” the Korean boy band sings, “I got that superstar glow.” Surely enough, Nikki believes that the act of mindfully mixing butter with other indulgent ingredients can bring forth the “magic of pleasure.” Not only that, but baking treats like cupcakes can “warm our hearts and make us smile.”

I’d love to be as blissful and ethereal-looking as the members of BTS, and it seems as though their glow comes from their kind hearts (and their butter-filled stomachs). There’s power and goodness that comes from treating yourself and setting intentions with everything we eat.

“If my daughter has something important going on at school, I’ll put time and intention into making her lunch, so that it’ll give her clarity,” says Nikki. “And for me, sometimes the best thing I can eat is the bar of white chocolate I want because it’s a gift I’m giving — maybe not to my thighs — but to my heart.”

~ Follow @nikkivandecar on Instagram for more magical tips ~