Meet: PJ

PJ was the first to host my skoolie in her driveway. We met through a mutual friend years ago and have shared many adventures. She has the witchiest house I have ever been in. There are brooms, cauldrons, candles, plants, statues, bells, pentacles, crystals, books, crafts, and cats everywhere. Her altars are large, elaborate, and pulsing with energy. Outside is just as magickal. PJ loves working with nature and crafting with natural items, especially at Yule – always taking only what has fallen. Learn more about her as she answers these thirteen questions.

1. Do you have a magical name you’re willing to share?
I do have a magical name but I tend to keep it to myself.

2. In what state do you reside?
Massachusetts

3. How do you make your living?
I had run a drug store for 26 years but I am retired now.

4. Are you out of the closet? / Have you felt threatened?
I am out of the closet and do not feel threatened.

5. When did you first know you were a witch? How long have you been practicing?
My favorite game as a child was Which Witch. I have always followed my own path but I think I was closer to eleven or twelve when I really knew. I practiced solitary until my fifties.

6. How do you define your practice? Do you follow a specific tradition?
Ecliptic and intention based. I have read soooooooo many books that say you have to do this and that and it drives me nuts. I like to do what I feel at the time. I really feel it is about intention.

7. What one object must be on your altar for it to be an altar?
Hmmmmmm, I have a couple of altars, each with many objects. On my goddess altar the most important item I must have is a statue of Selene, a light-up moon, and a poem I wrote her. On my ancestor’s altar I have to have pictures of course, and my mom loved lilacs so I have a piece of lilac wood for her and a piece of willow wood for my dad who planted them everywhere. My working altar, the most important for me, is representation of the elements. I am not a less-is-more kind of person, my altars are full!!

8. Do you have a daily practice?
No; I do what I want when I want.

9. How do you respond when someone asks, “Are you a good witch or a bad witch?”
I usually laugh and say I am nature based. I then say I am a firm believer in karma and only put out in the world what I would want back.

10. Do you have a familiar?
Yes, my cat that found me who I call Banshee. If I open my herb cabinet she is by my side in seconds. She also loves to sit with me in circle.

11. What gifts, skills or powers do you share?
I am an empath and know things long before they happen.

12. What was your most magical experience?
When my four-week-old Banshee screamed to me to save her. I could not even see where she was. I followed the noise until I saw her little black ears sticking up in the grass.

13. What is your favorite:
Sabbat: Samhain, I love when the veil is thin and I can feel closer to those I have lost. 
Element: Earth. I love to make offerings to all the elements when calling them in for circle. I feel like they are taken for granted at times. Most people leave an offering for the God or Goddess but never the elements.
God: Pan, Green Man
Goddess: Selene
Animal or other totem: Cat, crow, snake
Tool: Cauldron
Book: There are sooooo many, "The Spiral Dance," maybe by Starhawk
Tarot deck or Card: Crow Tarot
Gemstone: Garnet
Ritual garb: Hat
Music/Performer: Heilung or Hu
​Spell or Ritual:  Samhain rituals are so personal and special.
​ Piece of Wisdom: Who am I to dish out wisdom…lol. Love yourself and be happy.