Little Witch Hazel

Autumn

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LITTLE WITCH HAZEL, AUTUMN

by Phoebe Wahl

“An earthy and charming collection of four stories, Little Witch Hazel is an ode to nature, friendship, wild things, and the seasons.

Little Witch Hazel is a tiny witch who lives in the forest, helping creatures big and small. She’s a midwife, an intrepid explorer, a hard worker, and a kind friend.”

Today, we will take our inspiration from the Autumn chapter of this book.

MOTHERHOOD

by Little Witch Hazel

I’ll admit it. I have a hard time expressing gratitude. And I’m thankful. I am!

But I get scared to say it. Or even think it. Just focusing on it freaks me out. Proclaiming what I’m thankful for gives me the hee-bee-gee-bee’s. You know?

Like — I feel there is something evil waiting in the wind to take it all away.

Wait, what?

What do I really think is going to happen? I’ll say, “I’m thankful for my friends,” and the next thing I know, an earthquake will cause a tsunami, and the East Bay will wash us all away?

It could happen but…

My words don’t have that kind of power. Do they?

If I say “I’m thankful for my hair,” it’s not like it will all fall out? Right? That’s crazy.

Or, I’ll say, “I’m thankful for” — UGH, even now — I’m trying to write what I’m thankful for to make this point, and I’m getting anxious!!!!

Generally speaking I’m a trusting person.

Where does this habitual fear come from? It doesn’t feel like it belongs to me.

Ooooooooh…

Right, people knock on wood.

In Judaism this concept is called “kinahora” which is Yiddish for “no evil eye” — the idea is that evil spirits are hanging around waiting for you to celebrate your life so they can take it all away and if you call out for the evil eye for protection it will stop them!

Great.

Well.

This is INSANE and it ends here. No more spitting. No more knocking on wood. No more uttering phrases that spread fear.

This kind of behavior is irrational, it’s counterproductive, and it’s a shame to pass down to my kids who are not born worried about these evil spirits! In fact, they aren’t born worried about much.

I can be brave and say what I’m thankful for and see what comes…

No.

That’s not it. There’s too much force here. Let me think.

*Deep breath*

…

Today is an opportunity to model for my children that life is unpredictable.

Today is an opportunity to model for my children that we can handle whatever comes our way because we are safe in the deep, knowing that all things are unfolding in every moment just as they should.

Yes, things we love more than anything else in the world can get taken away.

But not by magical evil spirits, although they are fun to think about.

Things change and transform because that’s life.

Loss is part of life. Death is a part of life. Having and not having. Just as the trees bloom and then become bare and bloom again. Just as the people we love hug us and then return home. Just as sometimes, we feel held in our families and sometimes we feel profound loneliness in them. Just as money comes and goes. Just as love feels lost and then arises new again.

All we have is this moment, and in this moment, our words can be very powerful.

Yes.

There is rationality in the magical thinking that our words can have impact on the outcome of our futures.

They can!

For example, right now I will say “I’m thankful for you”

…and just like a kind sprite I’ve touched the light in your heart and shared an inner smile.

Do you feel it? I’ll say it again.

“I’m thankful for you”

Now you say it.

…

This is the only way to use the magic we posses. Not to control our fate but to spread our love. Because it matters what we say. Not because evil spirits will punish us for celebrating. But because we have the opportunity to share good feelings.

Good feelings are contagious. We can spread them. Like magic.

…

Happy Thanksgiving, dear ones. May you use your words to spread the deep knowing you are safe and loved.

And hey, let’s be brave and break some generational trauma together by building…

A THANKFUL TREE

by Little Witch Hazel

Step 1: Gather your family and a few baskets full of clementines (one per person) and go on a walk / hike in the nearest wooded/nature area you can find.

Step 2: Forage branches, twigs, and sticks that call to you, your children, and your father. As you eat the oranges, you’ll have more space in your baskets for the branches you collect.

Don’t worry if the sticks seem too big or too small. If you notice them, gather them. Try to accept every branch your children want. Encourage their participation.

But beware of the dreaded POISON OAK/ IVY!

Learn more here: Poison Oak: Not Just a Summer Problem and here: Pests in Gardens and Landscapes Poison Oak

Poison Oak is a three-leafed plant that grows all over California. The leaves can be green in color, green and orange or red from the summer heat. In fall the leaves will fall but the branches and sticks left can still transfer the poison oak oils to your skin.

How avoid getting Poison Oak:

• Avoid heavy brush areas

• Don’t trail blaze; stay on the path

• Wear long sleeve shirts and pants

• Do not touch fallen sticks or the ground where leaves have fallen (!)

• Beware of petting your animals after they’ve been outside as the oils sit right on top of their fur

• Wash clothing as soon as you get home, as oils will still be present

Poison oak stalks after leaf loss in winter. (Credit: Anne McTavish)

Bonus: During the walk smile at anyone you pass and when they ask what’s up with the basket of twigs, tell them you’re making a thankful tree. Enjoy the smile you get in return.

Step 3: Bring the twigs home and arrange them in a strong, heavy bottom vase

Step 4: Pass out gift tags and markers. Write down what you’re thankful for. Ask everyone to do it, too. Tell the littlest ones to draw and color on theirs.

Step 5: String the gift tags up and knot the string.

Step 6: Hang the notes from the branches. Light a fire or some candles nearby and enjoy your thankful tree.

Step 7: (optional): Decorate your thankful tree. If you do not observe Christmas this is a great opportunity to display all the beautiful ornaments you love. If you already have a Christmas tree, then keep your thankful tree bare with just the notes of thanks and enjoy the stark contrast <3

You don’t need a single thing but sticks for your thankful tree, but here is some inspo: