Meet: Theron Baker
I met my fellow Pagan Pages columnist at a homestead in Georgia. We both had skoolies. We both had a thing for crystals and nature. We both smudged the entire perimeter and set up a crystal grid that calmed the chaotic energy. In the months we spent in the same community, we got to do a couple of rituals together and I got to see him perform kitchen witchery, serving up what was needed in the food he prepared. Learn more about my fellow witch on wheels from his answers.
1. Do you have a magical name you’re willing to share?
I do not have a magical name.
2. In what state do you reside?
Georgia for another few days, then on the road again.
3. How do you make your living?
Currently fast food
4. Are you out of the closet? / Have you felt threatened?
Yes I am and no I haven’t – but I have experienced enough to understand
why others do feel threatened.
5. When did you first know you were a witch? How long have you been
practicing?
I have been practicing since I was 14 and have always felt a pull..
6. How do you define your practice? Do you follow a specific tradition?
I consider myself a Green Kitchen Witch.
7. What one object must be on your altar for it to be an altar?
Crystals
8. Do you have a daily practice?
While I have slipped recently, in the mornings I typically wake up around 5-6am and like to make a glass of tea suited to my days purpose i.e. earl grey for a busy day, herbal green or white floral teas for a calm or lazy day, or a purposeful brew of intent. I like to sit outside or by a big open window with some incense and gems and manifest my best day through meditation and intent while connecting to the earth and wildlife around me. It makes for a collected and grounded day.
9. How do you respond when someone asks, “Are you a good witch or a bad witch?”
I'm simply a witch. While I do no harm I believe good and bad are relative terms. The intent is what matters.
10. Do you have a familiar?
I have three: two dogs and a cat. All help me in different ways. Read more about them here.
11. What gifts, skills or powers do you share?
I love my apothecary work, making my own remedies and
helping others heal. It's my calling.
12. What was your most magical experience?
Going to the Hemlock festival in Dahlonega GA when I was 16 (and again several times) it was an eye opening experience I had never had full of full music, impromptu drum circles and a lot of witches.
13. What is your favorite:
•Sabbat: I'm not a big holiday or celebratory person so I don't really have a favorite sabbat. Even my craft is more internal i.e. channeling while I cook and clean, doing meditative energy work and the like. I've done very few big rituals, mostly small solitary stuff.
•Element: Earth
•God: Green Man
•Goddess: This one is difficult. I've contemplated a female goddess for years with no true answer, thus I've stuck with my ever present and caring Green Man. The goddesses I have felt a pull towards would be Artemis and Baba Yaga.
•Tool: Crystals
•Book: “Self-Care for Empaths: 100 Activities to Help You Relax, Recharge, and Rebalance Your Life” by Tanya Richardson. It's helped me on a daily basis for a while now. https://www.amazon.com/Self-Care-Empaths-Activities-Recharge-Rebalance/dp/150721412X/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Self+Care+for+Empaths&qid=1629518189&sr=8-3
•Tarot deck or card: 3 of Swords. I don't know why but I've always felt a draw from this card.
•Gemstone: Black tourmaline or selenite
•Fictional witch: Cassie Nightingale from “The Good Witch.” She’s a community healer with her own shop. Plus you can never tell if she's being incredibly wise or sociopathic; keeps them on their toes.
•Music / Performer: This is difficult as music plays a large role in my mediation and energy work. For example, to channel my ancestors for daily work I use upbeat celtic music, often in Gaelic. To channel them for defensive purposes I listen to Heilung. For healing I use something with good vibrations such a 432Hz or 526Hz video on YouTube.
•Piece of wisdom: Listen to your intuition. If you're drawn to an object or ritual and don't know why, you will eventually. The feelings are there for a reason, never ignore them even if your other senses object. I'll often have objects for years before they speak to me again and I know why.