Why ‘White Rose’? The Story Behind The Name
I want to explain the story behind the name ‘White Rose Witching’. For a long time I’ve wanted to be more open about my spirituality and at the beginning of 2020 I decided to create a website where I could work out some of my thoughts on witchcraft and spiritual practice, share some of the things that I do, and hopefully find a way to connect with my local community and give back. At worst, this is a creative outlet and at best, some folks out there might connect with some of the things I do or ways I think about witchcraft.
Remembering Pulse
On June 12, 2016 I woke up to news that something happened at Pulse. As more information came out the magnitude of what happened really hit. I spent the day checking in on friends who I knew liked to go there, making sure everyone was okay.
I’m from Florida originally and before I moved to the mid-Atlantic I attended college in Orlando and lived there for about six years. Orlando is where I came out, where I began more fully exploring my spiritual path, and where I started the long process of figuring out who I wanted to be. While I may have been physically born in South Florida, the person who I am today started in Orlando. In that way I see that city see as my home.
Learning From Our Queer Ancestors In Times Of Panic
I’m sitting on my couch after a week of mandated telework for my day job. My husband is next to me on his phone, similarly in a mandatory telework capacity. We had a bit of a scare last weekend when we he received word he would not be able to go to work for the rest of March but there was still no word if hourly workers would be paid. Luckily, come Monday, senior leadership in his organization approved pay and telework for part-time and hourly workers. We are very aware of how blessed we are in that regard as many folks across the country are being thrown into financial chaos as the the coronavirus outbreak continues.
Growing up Catholic: How The Church And Superstition Helped Shape My Craft
I was raised in a Roman Catholic home, even if our adherence wasn’t terribly strict. I also grew up much closer to my mom’s side of the family which meant my relationship to our religion was intertwined with Cuban culture and heritage. As I was coming to terms with my sexuality in my teens, around the same time I discovered Wicca, I all but ran from the church. For years I told myself I had left everything about it behind except the “Catholic Guilt” but its only in recent years that I’ve really begun to realize just how much of my craft is influenced by my Catholic upbringing as well as the uniquely Hispanic faith-based superstitions surrounding it.
Connecting With Land Spirits Through Urban Farming
My husband and I spent the day working in the yard. We recently received some trees and berry bushes we ordered, and it was the first warm and sunny day to get them in the ground. It was the first time in many, many months that I’ve been able to get outside and get my hands dirty and I was immediately reminded how much doing so energizes and sustains me.
Connecting With Your Roots Through Myth and Storytelling
I was born in South Florida and spent the first decade of my life there before moving to Central Florida. Growing up I’ve always been closer to my moms side of the family. She came here with her parents in the late 1960’s as refugees fleeing Cuba on the Freedom Flights sponsored by the LBJ administration. Her grandmother was already in the country, having left Cuba years earlier and opting not to return when Castro took over. My mom didn’t stop working when I was born, so during the week I would spend my days with my grandmother and great-grandmother (who didn’t speak any English). Some of my first words were definitely “chocolate con leche”, and “guagua” because my grandmother didn’t drive so we took the bus everywhere. I also absorbed a lot of superstition from my time with them. For example, to this day I make a point not to rock a rocking chair if its empty because I’m convinced it invites ghosts into the house.
Coming out of the broom closet!
After years of talking about taking my craft and spiritual practice into a more public venue I still can’t believe I’m actually doing it! I’ll admit this is a little scary but overall I’m just really, really excited.