The Hearth
Hey y’all and happy August! Today we’re going to be talking about something I usually don’t even think of bringing up because of it’s normalcy to my practice. Shout out to the staff at my favorite doughnut shop for bringing it to my attention!
First let’s break down the Hearth. A hearth in it’s simplest form is the Heart of the home. Originally where they kindled fires for food and gathered for warmth, almost like the fireplace. As society progressed and insulation happened they became more symbolic than imperative to sustainable living. Now the hearth based on the earlier attributes can be tied to the kitchen or living room, holding the energy of the home.
As I mentioned before, magic(k) isn’t always in your face and like most things, it is better to have your pillars set up. The home is the best place to start! You already live there whether on your own or with others. Homes also have their own energy which is why comments like “Make a house a home” or “This place doesn’t feel lived in” exist, it is acknowledgement of the energy or essence of the space and or the extension of the people in it, depending on how you want to think about it. What’s the benefit of having a Hearth?
The Hearth is your place of solace, nurturing, and protection. It holds you, gives reprieve and support, and shelters your energy just as it shelters your vessel. It can be your first or last line of defense between you and others. As you continue to nurture your connection with your hearth it gives back to you, the energy will become so potent even non-spiritual people will comment upon entering your space. Okay, well how can you get started?
Ideally go through the home and formally introduce yourself just as you would do a person. Maybe share a little about yourself, you are technically trying to establish a relationship with a teammate. Then choose a place in the house you either feel most connected to or where everyone already tends to gather. In my house it’s the living room. In others that could be a bathroom, basement, kitchen, even a hallway. Where do people linger (the people within being drawn to)? Consecrate thay space — If you are unsure how you this is a book I found pretty helpful or you can book a session with me for more details for your specifics situation.
Now that space has been established as the Hearth, make sure to visit the space and care for it as much as you would like to care for you. It doesn’t have to be flashy. Sometimes just spending time there (having a coffee, sitting before bed, or lighting a candle) instead of doing rituals or offerings strengthen the connection naturally. To continue to nurture the connection be attentive when you feel like your hearth needs something. Feeling stuffy in the house? Open a window and air it out. Keep it clean, rearrange the things you have there, speak to it and keep it up to date about the things you have going on that may affect it (like a roommate which can be informing about visitors, changes in jobs, changes in routine, new people moving in or others moving out, who your visitors are and how you feel about them, etc). You’ll be surprised to see how your home listens, helps, and protects you. You could set an intention to want to maintain positivity and feel safe and all of a sudden a certain visitor can never seem to make it over, etc.
As a side note I do want to mention that as I mentioned earlier even if you may not have copastetic relationships with those who cohabitate the home with you if you are genuinely building the relationship with the Hearth it will still nurture and protect those who nurture and protect it. Secondarily, like I said you don’t need to do a fancy spell or a prayer in an ancient language to actively build and connect to your hearth so even if your practice has to be behind closed doors it can still be done out in the open.
It don’t want to overwhelm you guys so I think I’ll leave it here for the week. Happy Witching!
