About 3 weeks ago, I was diagnosed with diabetes. At first I was scared, then I was mad, and now I'm starting to move towards being sad. It's going to be so hard not having the things I enjoy eating. But, I just keep thinking it's more important to be healthy and live a long life than it is to have a few french fries and some chocolate cake. But, it's still very difficult. I have been doing a lot of research and have found things I can eat and get almost as much as I was having before. But, it's not fun stuff. LOL It's healthy. I actually already feel a lot better than I had previously. I was also diagnosed with high blood pressure a week before they found the diabetes. I had originally gone to the dr. for a bad throat infection. It was just luck they found the other things. And, if I hadn't gone to the dr. for that, I might have gone a much longer time without finding out about these other conditions. And that could have proven fatal for me. I'm still a bit angry, but it's normal, I suppose. I am going to classes given by our local health department. And, surprisingly, they are very informative. The support of the group is very helpful, as well.

 On a totally different note, I really want to start incorporating more of my faith into my everyday life. But, I'm not sure how to go about it. It seems like such a huge task, it's difficult finding a starting point. Maybe I'll make an outline, going in small steps and see how that goes. I want to do something, though.

You know, I really wish whoever is fucking with the layout of this place would pick one already. It's annoying as hell to have a different layout every time I log in.

Well, I thought I should get this on record, so to speak. So here goes...

 I consider myself a kitchen witch. So, what is a kitchen witch? To me a kitchen witch is a Witch who neither belongs to a coven nor tradition but practices in a solitary fashion. Generally this person relies upon self-study, personal discernment, and intuition. The person does not claim to be initiated. This person leads a life similar to the ancient village witch who was called upon for spells and healing potions by the local people. The person has knowledge of herbal remedies, both physical and spiritual. Food preparation is also a big part of this path, as well as gardening and using natural ingredients. The preparation of food using certain herbs brings luck, prosperity, and protection to all who consume it. Herbal teas are brewed to sooth the mind and body. Charms in the form of wreaths, sachets, and dried flowers and herbs are found throughout the home. Magic is an entire way of life, not just occasionally.

I do not claim to be an expert in any of these fields, nor to even know a lot. This is just how I see myself and my spiritual path. As far as a pantheon, I am pulled to the Celtic Gods. There is Scottish and Irish in my ancestry and I identify with it very much.

When I was in my mid-twenties, I became aware of Wicca for the first time. I studied it a bit and felt it was too restrictive for me. So, I just did my own thing, which was study herbal remedies and such. I didn't know this was a pagan path until about a year ago. When I read the description of a kitchen witch on a website, it felt as if I had come home. That was me. I was a kitchen witch. I had been a kitchen witch for 15 years and didn't even realize it. So, now that I have a label for my path, for some reason it has allowed me to find more clarity. Probably because I now feel as if I fit in. There is a group of people who have similar interests and we have a name.

 I am a Kitchen Witch. I am not a Wiccan.

Hello,

This is my first post here on covenspace. I really hope this site lives up to its potential. This could be such a wonderful way for pagans to meet. This is a great concern of mine, since I live in a very rural, christian area. The pagans I have run across on the net are either goth/pagan wannabees or so scared of the reaction they will get if anyone finds out they are pagan that there is no networking to be had. At least not that I've been able to find. I used to believe I was a very solitary person. And I still can be. But, I really enjoy having friends to talk to who have similar interests and beliefs. I guess I just hope to find friends who don't instantly think I'm a devil worshiper because I'm not a christian. Kinda hard to worship something you don't believe in. 

 Anywho... I'm a kitchen/hearth/green witch. I've been pagan for about 15 years. I'm not wiccan, at least not yet. LOL It is seeming more interesting of late. Probably because I've met people I enjoy talking to who are wiccan. 

 As most who are on similar paths, I enjoy growing herbs, vegetables, flowers, etc. and cooking and herbal/natural healing. My favorite way to cook is over an open fire. I cook on my bbq grill year-round. My favorite meat is chicken. My favorite meal to cook is spaghetti and homemade sauce. My favorite dessert is any fruit crisp. I love to sit under my huge maple tree outside my back door and snooze or read. I love windchimes and have SEVERAL hanging from both front and back porch posts and many inside also.

I am desperately craving to meet people close by who would be willing to at least get together once in a while and just talk about stuff. I'm sure it will happen when it needs to. Things always do. :)