Gratitude and Offerings

So, today I took a fresh winter walk down my local woodlands to give gratitude to the Winter Goddess for my next cycle of beautiful souls who are new to the Craft. This next group will spend 1 year and 1 day learning about Eclectic Witchcraft – as portrayed in my book - “Witchcraft The Wild Path for Beginners”, this will begin at the end of this month. So why give gratitude? Why not? If you believe that everything happens for a reason, or you believe in fate, these unique individuals have found their path to meet me at the crossroads, however long we journey together is irrelevant as long as merit is found in the path for as long it is walked together, and beyond.

Witches believe that the local wildlife in a woodlands can bring you a message from the Gods, or spirits, even your ancestors, if you are so seeking this. Each time I walk down the woods I become grounded, I feel at home, and I always fill with gratitude at the beauty of the woods and the animals that live there. Also, as per my style, if I am not taking an offering I feel a throw off of my balance because I love to give to nature, particularly the animals, and so my offering was essentially my own energy, but also crumbled biscuits for the birds – full of fat and fibre – so useful for winter feeding.

One of my favourite winter sights is the chirping, bold Robin, the one who greets us at the gate, at the pond side, and along the river bends with their branches overhanging. I do enjoy throwing down or leaving food on stumps for the birds and squirrels but when I notice a Robin is following me through the woods, dancing around me and singing endlessly it intrigues me. This is not just a behaviour to catch my attention but I like to believe it is a message from Goddess, and in this circumstance essentially saying “Thank you, and you are welcome” for my gratitude and offerings to the local wildlife.

Not only does holding an animal bring joy to the deepest parts of my soul, but for them to come to you, to sing, to stare into your eyes and become comfortable enough in your presence that they fly to you without prompt, it truly lights me up. I give gratitude not only for the Winter Goddess, and the new path walkers, but for the woods, the wildlife, the flora, the winter frost and the mesmerising pattern of the frozen falls and ponds.

When gratitude comes from deep within, and not just as a social norm for an exchange, or a door held, it brings a growing feeling of joy, hence the rising popularity of gratitude journals. Next time you go to your woods, do it, find a peaceful, private space and give gratitude to nature, or “God/dess” and really feel that energy growing in your core, in your heart and enjoy that flow. Good things come to those who are grateful for what they have. You do not need to bring tangible offerings just yet but it is a lovely gesture to bring foods, beverages, herbs and other things to leave behind for the animals, trees and nature spirits. Blessed Be! XxX www.mathew-walker.co.uk/blog

#witch #witches #witchesofinstagram #indieauthor #newauthor #witchcraftforbeginners #witchcraft #wicca #wiccan #pagan #paganism #magick #eclectic #witchcraftthewildpathforbeginners