✨ The Cauldron Check-In ✨
Taking stock of what’s working, what’s waning, and what’s waiting
Hi friends 🌙
— How are you feeling? Go on, grab your blanket, pour yourself a cup of tea (or wine, no judgment), and let’s exhale together. The week has been… a week, hasn’t it? Some parts sparkled, some dragged, some knocked the wind out of us. That’s life, but it’s also spellwork — always a mixture of ingredients, not always balanced the first time around.
This week, I found myself doing what I like to call a spell audit. Think of it like checking the pantry: what’s fresh, what’s stale, what did I mean to use but somehow shoved behind the rice cooker?
The “spells” I’m talking about aren’t always literal. Sometimes they’re the rituals I’ve built into my life — journaling in the morning, pulling a card before bed, checking in with friends. And sometimes they’re more practical: the way I manage my time, the habits I lean on when stress knocks.
I realized that some of my magic has gotten dusty. My daily gratitude practice? Half-burned like a candle that never made it past the first layer of wax. My intention to slow down before scrolling? Let’s just say TikTok laughed at that one.
But here’s the grace part: not everything has to “work” all the time. Even abandoned practices had their moment. And sometimes the best spell is the one you gently retire to make space for what you really need now.
This week, I asked myself: What’s actually working? What’s nourishing me? And the answer surprised me. It wasn’t the big rituals. It was the tiny, stubborn sparks — washing my coffee mug right after drinking it (so Future Me has one ready). Those tiny sparks are spells too.
From the conversations I’ve seen floating around this week — online and off — I think many of us are sitting with a similar energy: overwhelm mixed with determination. The world feels heavy (and politically, whew, it’s been a lot). Between debates about rights, climate strikes, and daily news cycles that read like apocalyptic fanfiction, it’s tempting to shut down.
But what I’m hearing from people is not collapse. It’s adjustment. People reworking their activism, their care, their routines. It’s less “burn it all down” (though, trust, sometimes that urge is there) and more “how do I keep this fire alive without burning myself out?” That’s a spell audit too.
So here’s my offering to you this week:
You don’t have to fix everything, and you don’t have to do it the way you used to. Magic is allowed to shift. Your practices are allowed to evolve. You are allowed to grow out of one phase and into another.
If you feel like nothing is working, maybe that’s your cue to zoom in smaller. One breath. One glass of water. One candle lit in the dark. That’s enough magic to start with.
And if you’re in a season of abundance, don’t be afraid to share your spellbook — metaphorically or literally. Tell your people what’s working. It might spark something they didn’t even know they needed.
“Rest is not idle, is not wasteful. Sometimes rest is the most productive thing you can do for your body and soul.”
— Nayyirah Waheed
So, what about you?
Are your spells and practices humming along, or are you in need of a little magical tune-up? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear your rituals, your doubts, even your half-burned candle stories.
And if this post lit a little spark in you, pass it along to a friend who might need some magic today. ✨
I’ve got books that dive deeper:
📖 The Tipsy Teapot: A Tea-Infused Cocktail Book - Tired of the same old drinks? ‘The Tipsy Teapot’ shows you how to transform your favorite teas into stunning cocktails and mocktails. From classic blends to fruity infusions, this book is packed with delicious inspiration.
📖 The Veil and the Cauldron: Recipes for Summoning Spirits - Craving a deeper connection to the spiritual world? ‘The Veil and the Cauldron’ shows you how to weave magic into your cooking. With 30 enchanting recipes and guidance on spirit work, this book is your guide to a more magical kitchen.
📖 Secret Recipes of the Shadow Realm Cookbook - Want to unleash the magic in your kitchen? ‘Secret Recipes of the Shadow Realm’ offers a collection of unique recipes infused with intention. Discover the healing properties of herbs and spices, and create meals that nourish your body, mind, and spirit.
Resources
Here are a few resources if you want to deepen your own spell audit this week:
Check Your Cauldron Journal Prompt: Write down three practices that feel alive right now, and three that feel stale. Notice what you want to keep, and what you’re ready to compost.
Political Self-Care Toolkit: Groups like The Nap Ministry remind us that rest is resistance, especially in hard political times.
Astrological Energy Check: Look into the current moon phase (right now, it’s waning — a perfect time for letting go of what’s not working).
✨ That’s all for now, friends. Thanks for being here, for holding this space, and for showing up for your own magic. Here’s to a week of gentle audits and sparkling new spells.
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🧙♀️ Blessed Be! 🧙♀️
🧋🔮♊️Emilee Avink🐱🏳️🌈🫶
