As spring drew to a close, I felt the desire to choose a magical word for the next season. Being a writer, words hold particular power for me.

Before pursuing an intentional, magical life, I felt like I was in a car going too fast on the freeway. My hands had to remain tightly on the wheel or I’d spin out of control. And I didn’t know how to operate the brakes.

A previous partner once accused me of being hypocritical because I “changed my mind all the time.” I am only hypocritical insomuch as we all are because we inevitably learn new information and alter our opinions accordingly.

This is the magic and power of the human body. We store knowledge, instinct, and memory in more places than just our brains.

As a species, we’ve been interpreting dreams almost since the beginning. Because of their fleeting, surreal, and emotional natures, they have captured our imaginations.

Western culture has long polarized masculinity and femininity, going so far as to tie traits that fall into each category to certain genders. Since when have all women been nurturing?

Whenever I’m feeling sapped emotionally, mentally, or spiritually, I ask myself - when was the last time I wrote in my journal?

I identify as a witch. But the funny thing about that signifier is that it doesn’t mean the same thing to every person who claims it.

Emotions, like water, need to be allowed to flow freely to keep them clean, fluid, and refreshing. If they become stuck, like a polluted river, the emotions will build up and become stagnant and toxic.

The heart’s desires can’t be realized if the desires can’t be expressed clearly and concisely. I have learned this lesson the hard way many times.

Life as a 20s-something college student is fun and exhilarating, but the chaos of not having a regular sleep schedule, not knowing what or when the next meal will be, and barely having enough time to work out, let alone hang out with friends, causes extreme stress and can set one up for failure.

Five years ago I would have laughed politely at someone talking about magic in the real world. Raised on Harry Potter and The Belgariad, my understanding of magic was strictly limited to big magic that could preserve part of your soul in an object or summon and control a demon.

When going for a walk, I used to grab my headphones even before my shoes. Why wouldn’t I want to maximize my time by listening to an audiobook, a podcast, or that new band my friend recommended?