The Magic of Enough: Rethinking Abundance in the Harvest Season

I was deeply inspired by my recent read of the children's book Fern & the First Day of Fall by Kathleen Converse, where Fern and her friends practice mutual aid to celebrate the harvest season. This is exactly what the harvest has always been about: communities coming together to ensure everyone has enough in the coming months. It takes a village to ensure everyone is cared for, and that means we need villagers.

Our current culture, at least here in the United States, is built upon consumption and the ever-growing need to accumulate more. More money, more stuff, more productivity, more personal growth. Where does it end? It reduces our involvement in society to that of a mindless consumer, removing the interconnectedness of our world. Being a villager means more than just consuming; it means actively engaging in your community through mutual aid. This is different from charity, which often operates from the top down and keeps unequal systems in place. Mutual aid, on the other hand, operates horizontally with members working side-by-side as equals to meet the survival and care needs of others, just like Fern and her friends in Fern & the First Day of Fall. 

The harvest months and their corresponding festivals (no matter what you celebrate) center mutual aid, as communities shared the bounty with others. Our ancestors recognized that the food we eat connects us not only to each other, but to our world as well. It connects us to soil, water, sunlight, pollinators, plants, animals, agricultural workers, transportation systems, and the communities in which it originates. Even the smallest meal is part of a much larger web of relationships, as no harvest is able to exist in isolation.

One of the core principles of my personal practice is spiritual activism. According to Ana Louise Keating, "Spiritual activism is spirituality for social change, spirituality that posits a relational worldview and uses this holistic worldview to transform one's self and one's world." I am a firm believer that witchcraft, even when done alone, should be community-focused and used to dismantle oppressive systems. This does not have to be grand gestures, but instead can include actions that go against the grain, such as resisting consumerism. This autumn, rather than focusing solely on attracting prosperity and celebrating what I have gathered or achieved for myself, I want to explore what I can do for my community and what abundance means on a larger scale.

Rethinking Abundance: What Does It Mean to Have Enough?

Most often, we associate abundance with prosperity and attracting things we desire. I, too, often mix the two, but they are distinct. Prosperity focuses on physical, tangible results, while abundance is a mindset. For example, you can want financial stability without tying your self-worth to your paycheck, just as you can desire a comfortable home without believing more possessions will bring more fulfillment. Being able to define what enough looks like for you is key to freeing yourself from this endless cycle of consumerism our society pushes.

So, I invite you to take a moment to define what true abundance looks like to you. You don't need to answer these questions with perfect clarity, but don't dismiss legitimate needs in your answers, and don't excuse systems that create scarcity. We can create an abundant life for ourselves while recognizing that many people experience food insecurity, environmental destruction, and unequal access to the resources that sustain life. Reflect or journal on the following prompts:

1. What resources help me feel secure and supported?
2. Where do I experience genuine abundance in my life?
3. What do I need more of right now?
4. What forms of nourishment do I sometimes overlook?
5. Where am I confusing accumulation with nourishment?
6. What does it mean to practice gratitude when my circumstances are not abundant?
7. What relationships sustain my daily life?
8. How do my spiritual practices reflect my responsibilities to the land?
9. Where might I be taking more than I need?
10. What is one way I can contribute to the well-being of a place I inhabit?
11. What would it look like to pursue prosperity without losing sight of reciprocity?
12. What community needs am I aware of, and what might I realistically do to support them?
13. How can I make my spiritual practice more connected to practical care?
14. What would it look like to approach abundance as something to share rather than simply accumulate?
15. What resources or skills can I share with my community?

If answered with fidelity, you should have a good idea of what abundance looks like in your own life and the beginnings of how you can engage in mutual aid, just like Fern and her friends.

Harvest Justice: Gratitude Must Become Action

So what does mutual aid look like during the harvest season? It's easy to talk about abundance, especially if you have reliable access to nourishment. It's more difficult to confront the fact that access to food is not distributed equally. Food insecurity is increasing across the world as inflation soars. In the United States, this inflation has been coupled with defunding of social programs specifically designed to ensure children and adults have adequate access to nutrition. As a result, more and more people are going hungry.

It is important to recognize that food insecurity is not a moral failing. This is not the result of an individual's failure to plan, nor a reflection of their worth as a fellow human. Food insecurity is a direct result of economic conditions, infrastructure, transportation access, housing access, wages, public policy, and a host of other socio-economic factors. A spiritual practice that celebrates the abundance of the harvest while ignoring these realities risks turning gratitude into a way of looking away or dismissing the hardships of others. This is the exact opposite of what witchcraft has historically been for. So ask yourself: How can I participate in creating conditions where more people, communities, and ecosystems have access to what they need to thrive?

There are many types of activism you can engage in this season based on the amount of time, energy, finances, and physical ability you have. In the end, it only matters if your form of participation is sustainable and meaningful. Below you will find a list of ways you can engage in mutual aid this harvest season.

Practical Ways to Practice Harvest Reciprocity

Support Food Access

Donate appropriate food or funds to a local food pantry, community fridge, mutual aid network, or organization addressing food insecurity. Check the organization's current needs before donating.

Participate in Community Growing

Support a community garden, volunteer at a growing project, or learn about local food initiatives. Participation can include administrative, educational, or resource-sharing roles, not only physical gardening.

Reduce Food Waste

Plan meals around what you already have, store food appropriately, use leftovers, and compost where suitable. Food preservation and waste reduction can be practical expressions of respect for resources.

Tend Local Ecologies

Learn about native plants, support pollinator habitat, remove invasive plants through appropriate local programs, or care for a nearby green space.

Share What You Can

Share a meal, exchange resources, offer practical help, or contribute to a community effort. Sharing should be grounded in consent, dignity, and respect rather than obligation. Reciprocity is not a transaction in which every act of generosity must be repaid in equal measure. It is an ongoing practice of recognizing that we depend on one another and that our actions can contribute to the well-being of the communities and environments around us.

As I said before, what reciprocity looks like for you will be different than that of other witches. Not everyone has access to a garden, fresh seasonal produce, a safe outdoor space, or the financial resources to support local food systems. Not everyone has the physical energy to participate in volunteer work. Some people are navigating food insecurity, illness, disability, grief, or other circumstances that make seasonal practices difficult. You do not have to earn your place by proving how much you can give. If your harvest celebration is simply preparing a meal, accepting help, resting, and/or recognizing one thing that helped you get through the day, that is enough. Mutual aid is not about performing generosity at the expense of your own well-being. It is about cultivating relationships of care in ways that are possible, responsible, and appropriate to your circumstances. A witchcraft practice that values the living world should also make room for the realities of the people within it.

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In my next post, I will share a harvest ritual that honors the relationships that sustain us and encourages you to take actions that extend beyond yourself. I was originally going to include it in this post, but it is already reaching a length I did not originally intend. I had a lot more to say on this topic than I thought...

When I first became a teacher, I accepted a job at a Title 1 school. In order to qualify as Title 1, at least 40% of the student population must come from low-income families, which is typically determined by the percentage of students on free or reduced lunch. While I had certainly experienced tough times as a kid, nothing prepared me for what my students were living through. Their struggles are why I started keeping food in my classroom. They are why I started reaching out to the counselors to find which students needed the most assistance and rallying others to chip in to buy new clothes, shoes, and school supplies. They are why I got heavily involved in my local food banks, food drives, and other food assistance programs. Every single person has a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as outlined by our Declaration of Independence. This means access to food, water, and shelter. If you believe this is a radical idea, you are in the wrong place. With cuts to social support programs, I know more and more of my students are going hungry, and I cannot turn away. I will not turn away.

Witchcraft has always been about fighting and dismantling oppressive systems. When we talk about celebrating the harvest and the abundance of all we have sown coming to fruition, it is imperative we remember those who have less and share our abundance with them in any way we can. I have always found it intriguing that people say they cannot give because they do not make enough money. "If I just made more, I would give," they say. The research shows that isn't true. If you are not giving when you have nothing, you will not give when you have more. No matter your situation, there is something you can be doing this autumn to care for your community. I challenge you to figure out what that is.

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Children's Book Review: Fern & the First Day of Fall by Kathleen Converse

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What better way to start the first day of fall than with a children's book review on this very topic?! I have not had the pleasure of reviewing any children's books yet on my blog, so I am very excited to bring the first one to all of my readers today. I know many of you have children at home and are looking for witchy reads to share with them.

Fern & the First Day of Fall by Kathleen Converse and illustrated by Hanna Sultanova is the fourth installment in the Wheel of the Year series, which celebrates the seasons and sabbats. As the title suggests, Fern & the First Day of Fall focuses on Mabon and the autumn equinox, offering both a cute story with beautiful illustrations and seasonal spell work!

The story follows Fern as she tries to figure out how to feed her friends and family after a failed harvest due to blistering heat. It combines mundane and magical problem-solving in a very real-world situation. Climate change is ravaging the planet, causing crop failures and ongoing hunger. Combined with inflated prices, recalls, and cuts to SNAP benefits here in the United States, mutual aid is more important than ever to ensure our communities are fed. I loved that Converse tackled these situations in a way that children can understand, without causing anxiety. Instead of focusing on doom and gloom, children are given practical and magical means to approach an ever-changing world.

From an illustration standpoint, Sultanova did an amazing job conveying the story through vivid and inclusive imagery. There are a variety of ethnicities and genders represented, allowing young readers to see themselves in the text. My only complaint is that I wish there were more disability representation present.

The book ends with a brief introduction to Mabon, a discussion of the tarot cards Fern pulled and their meaning, plus journal prompts and a variety of spells children can perform alone or with a trusted adult. The spells range from breathing exercises to divination to recipes.

I am 37 years old and really enjoyed reading Fern & the First Day of Fall by Kathleen Converse. I cannot wait to gift it to one of my witchy friends with a little witchy daughter. I know they are going to absolutely love this book, as well as the others in the collection. I highly recommend picking up a copy for a child (3-7ish) in your life!

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Magical and Medicinal Uses of Elder

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Powers: Exorcism, Healing, Protection

Magical Uses and History: Elder is one of the most magical trees, especially in European folklore, where its history is long and rich. In England, Germany, Denmark, and Scandinavia, the elder tree was believed to be inhabited by the Elder Mother, also known as Lady Elder, Hyldemöer, or Mother of Elves. She was revered and feared, leading to it becoming taboo to cut from her branches, and sometimes even touch her, without permission. In Ireland and Scotland, the spirit of the elder is often unnamed or said to be a fae, but it is inhabited by a spirit nonetheless. Later, as Christianity made its way across the European continent, the spirits of the elder tree turned to witches and the devil, and thus it became unlucky, not just taboo, to cut from the tree or burn its branches, for fear of letting the devil in. Christian myths surrounding the elder are contradictory, with some believing the elder to be the tree from which Judas hung himself after betraying Jesus, while others say the cross from which Jesus was nailed was made of elder. Either way, both contribute to the negative views surrounding the elder tree.

Likely due to the spirit inhabiting the tree and even the unlucky folklore, elder is believed to be a powerful protector. Elder was often planted near houses, worn, or hung in the house above doors and windows to ward off witches, unwanted spirits, and even lightning. In some parts of Scotland, crosses were made of elder and hung in barns and over stables to protect livestock, while drivers of hearses carried whips with handles fashioned from elder to ward off evil. All of this is interesting considering the stigma around cutting branches, but it led to a variety of petitions to cut from the tree. Elder continues to be used in much the same way today, and as before, you should always ask permission before taking from the tree. Add elder branches, leaves, and berries to spells and spell bags/jar for protection, carry on your person to ward off evil, or hang in your home for similar purposes. Plant elder in your yard to protect against lightning and thieves, or use the twigs to create protective charms.

Its association with spirits also likely led to its use in spirit communication. Nicknamed the "Tree of Music" or "Pipe Tree," instruments made from elder were thought to attract the fae, especially when played on sabbats such as Midsummer Eve and Samhain. Playing a flute of elder allows the player to pierce the veil between this world and the next, allowing spirits to be called forth or used to reach an altered state of consciousness. Sitting or sleeping beneath the tree on Midsummer Eve was said to grant one access to the fairy realm, but the risk was great, as you could end up trapped. As such, elder can be used in spells and rituals to connect with the Otherworld, particularly the fae. Play as an instrument or drunk as a wine to induce an altered state of consciousness, place beneath your pillow to enhance prophetic dreaming, or place on ancestral altars during psychopomp work.

Beyond its magical protective uses, elder was also commonly used to treat a variety of ailments. The Greek physician Hoppcrates referred to the elder as a "medicine chest" as it could be used to treat just about everything. The family herbal, first published in 1754, spoke of elder bark's use as a purgative to create edema or congestive heart failure, while the flowers were used to create a cooling ointment and the berries a wine to treat colds and sore throats. In Denmark, records indicate elder was chewed and stuck to or in a wall while saying "Depart thou evil spirit!" to cure toothaches. To cure warts, the wart was either rubbed with elder and buried or was stuck with a pin that was then stuck into an elder tree. Charms of elder were carried to prevent rheumatism and fevers, while elderberries were placed under pillows to cure insomnia. Needless to say, elder has a strong association not only with protection, but also healing, and therefore can be added to spells and rituals for such purposes.

Elder can be used in a number of spells, including:

      Healing Spells

      Protection Magic
      Spirit Work & Communication

      Exorcisms

Medicinal Uses: Elder has long been revered as a cure-all, with its flowers, berries, and leaves being used to create and treat a variety of ailments. The leaves are an emollient and vulnerary and are thus most often used to treat external ailments such as sprains, bruises, and minor wounds. The flowers and berries, on the other hand, are diaphoretic and anticatarrhal, making them perfect for the treatment of colds, flus, and upper respiratory infections such as hay fever and sinusitis. The bark is a purgative, but is no longer used in modern herbal medicine because it contains cyanide-producing compounds.

Preparation and Dosage: To create an infusion, combine a cup of boiling water with 2 teaspoons of dried flowers and leaves. Allow the mixture to infuse for 10 minutes. Drink up to three times a day. As a tincture, take 2-4 milliliters up to three times a day. To create a salve or ointment, combine three parts fresh elderberry leaves with 6 parts melted beeswax, Vaseline, or other carrier oil. Heat on low until leaves are crisp, about 2 hours. Strain and store. Use as needed.

Want to print a copy of this for your Book of Shadows? Click below for your free copy!

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5 Crystal Grids for Everyday Witchcraft: Protection, Growth, Release & More

Crystal grids are a form of magic that utilizes crystals and geometry to amplify and charge your intention. Over the years, I have featured small crystal grids on my altars and even in my garden blessing spell from several years ago, but it isn't something I often utilize in my own magical practice. That being said, I probably should because they are a powerful way to concentrate energy for a specific purpose.

There are many ways to set up a crystal grid and charge/activate it. The only hard rules are that you should have a central crystal, surround it with complements related to your intention, and activate the grid through energy connection. Sometimes the grid is tied to your intention by writing your intention on a piece of paper and slipping it beneath the central crystal. Other times it is tied to your intention through chanting and activation alone. You can pair your grid with deeper rituals by lighting candles, throwing in some herbs, calling deities, or adding runes and tarot. It is really up to you.

I am not going to go into a complete breakdown or guide to crystal grids here, as many have already covered this topic in great detail online. Instead, I am offering five crystal grids you can use in your everyday witchcraft to bring happiness, peace, growth, courage, and protection into your own life. For each grid, I have included a brief introduction to the grid's purpose, the crystals used, how to set it up, and how to activate and use it for its intended purposes. If you do not happen to have a crystal I suggest, there are plenty of other options. Feel free to switch them out based on what you have or what calls to you.

1. Hearth and Home Grid

Your home should feel like a sanctuary, a place you can come to relax, unwind, and feel loved and cared for. Sometimes, however, inside and outside forces can disrupt the peace you have strived so hard to build. This grid is designed to clear the negativity and replace it with peace, harmony, and happiness, thus creating a welcoming environment.

Center Stone: Clear Quartz

Outer Stones:

• Black Tourmaline- For grounding and banishing
• Smoky Quartz- For clearing and grounding
• Rose Quartz- For love, harmony, and gentleness
• Amethyst- For peace and relaxation

Layout:

This is a very simple layout. Place the clear quartz in the center and each of the outer crystals at the four cardinal directions to form a square or diamond around the center.

Activation:

Start by moving your hand above the crystals in a circular motion. Visualize the crystals becoming connected with warm light. Continue this visualization until you feel all the stones are connected. Hover your hand over the center clear quartz crystal and visualize your home becoming a warm, protected sanctuary as all the energy of the grid centralizes in the middle. As you do so, say, "May this home be sheltered from harm, grounded in peace, and filled with happiness."

Recharge this grid weekly or monthly, depending on your needs. If your home has been filled with hot tempers, despair, or hardship, you will need to recharge the crystal grid sooner rather than later. If your home has been relatively peaceful, once-a-month maintenance should be fine.

2. The Crossroads Grid

Sometimes we find ourselves at a crossroads, unsure of how to proceed forward. While runes and tarot are always excellent ways to garner glimpses into the future and seek advice, crystal grids can also be used. This crystal grid will help you see the situation clearly and, when paired with journaling, can help you figure out the best road forward.

Center Stone: Labradorite

Outer Stones:

• Clear Quartz- For clarity
• Amethyst- To enhance intuition
• Carnelian- For courage
• Black Obsidian- To see that which needs to be released

Layout:

Arrange the stones into a crossroads, with the labradorite in the middle, carnelian to the right, clear quartz above, black obsidian to the left, and amethyst below. The labradorite center represents yourself standing at the crossroads seeking answers.

Activation:

Start by moving your hand above the crystals in a circular motion. Visualize the crystals becoming connected with warm light. Continue this visualization until you feel all the stones are connected. Hover your hand over the center of the labradorite and close your eyes. Ask the crystals to illuminate your path forward and guide your decision-making. Keep your mind open to receiving messages from your guides.

Afterwards, journal on the following prompts:

• What am I afraid to choose?
• What do I already know?
• What information am I overlooking?
• What would each path require from me?
• Which choice feels like expansion rather than avoidance?

This grid can be disassembled and cleansed after use, or used for the next three days for clarification.

3. Abundant Growth Grid

Looking to bring something into your life or enhance your opportunities for abundance? This is the grid for you! The spiral pattern represents a seed sprouting and blooming, coming to life before your eyes.

Center Stone: Moss Agate

Outer Stones:

• Green Aventurine- For growth and opportunity
• Citrine- For confidence and abundance
• Carnelian- For creativity and motivation
• Clear Quartz- For amplification

Layout:

Arrange the crystals in a spiral pattern, moving inward toward the moss agate in the center. Alternate the crystals as you do so.

Activation:

Before activating, place your written intention beneath the center moss agate. Be sure to be clear about what you are trying to manifest in your life. Vague statements that are not quantifiable or easily defined are difficult for the Universe to interpret and fulfill. If you are looking for a new job or to earn more money, be clear in the type of job you are looking for or the amount of money you wish to earn. Give a time frame for the spell, and as many specifics as possible, while also leaving yourself open to better options. I usually like to end such manifestation requests with "...or better," so the Universe knows I am open to the best option available. Don't pigeon-hole your abundance! Once you have written your intention, fold it three times toward you before placing it under the moss agate.

Once your written intention is placed, hover your hand over the end of the spiral and trace the spiral inward, visualizing the crystals connecting with warm golden or green light. As you repeat this spiral movement and visualization, chant, "Seed below, roots running deep; What I nurture, I may keep. With patience, care, and hands that tend, may this intention bloom without end." Continue chanting and tracing until you feel the grid has been activated and your message sent.

Keep this grid active by recharging weekly until your goal has been achieved.

4. Waning Moon Release Grid

While I am not a witch to follow the moon's movement through the night sky, its power is not lost on me. The waning moon is associated with release, breaking patterns, and endings, and this crystal grid can help you harness these energies in your spell work to achieve your goals.

Center Stone: Black Obsidian

Outer Stones:

• Smoky Quartz- For grounding and release
• Selenite- For cleansing and transition
• Amethyst- For acceptance and reflection
• Clear Quartz- For amplification

Layout:

Arrange the crystals as seen below, radiating outward from the central black obsidian.

Activation:

Before activating, write down what you want to release, fold it three times away from you, and place it underneath the black obsidian. Light a candle, preferably black, and begin tracing your hand over the crystals in a counterclockwise motion while chanting, "What has completed its work may leave. What no longer belongs to me may return to the earth. I make room for what comes next." Visualize ties being severed and all unwanted energies leaving your body. Repeat this ritual for 3 nights in a row, relighting the candle each night.

5. Sunfire Courage Grid

Lately, everything has felt very overwhelming, at least for me. Courage is not always running into battle unafraid. Courage most often manifests as choosing to get up each morning, brush your teeth, get dressed, and go to work or run errands, despite the feelings of darkness threatening to consume you. Living your life, despite your anxiety or depression, is courageous. Choosing to live is courageous. If you find yourself struggling or you have a big event coming up, this grid will help you find the courage to get things done.

Center Stone: Citrine

Outer Stones:

• Carnelian- For courage and creative fire
• Tiger's Eye- For confidence, strength, and grounding
• Sunstone- For vitality and optimism
• Clear Quartz- For amplification and focus

Layout:

Arrange the crystals in a sunburst with citrine in the middle and the other crystals radiating outward like rays of sunlight, as seen below.

Activation:

Start by moving your hand above the crystals in a circular motion. Visualize the crystals becoming connected with warm light. Continue this visualization until you feel all the stones are connected. Hover your hand over the middle citrine and say, "I know my strength. I trust my voice. I meet the world with courage." Take in a deep breath, straighten your spine, and rise to your full height. Visualize yourself exuding courage and strength, overcoming the obstacles in your life.

If you need courage for a specific upcoming event, use the crystal grid before and disassemble it after you have achieved your goal. If you are looking for ongoing strength and courage, continue recharging the grid every 3-7 days or as needed.

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Whether you use these grids or not, I hope I have inspired you to incorporate more crystals and crystal grids into your magical practice. Now get out there and do some magic!

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Magical Properties of Angelite

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