Misfit Among Misfits: The Highly Sensitive Practitioner

    I am a Witch of quiet places. I wander the hedgerows with moss and twigs in my hair taking in the subtle energies of my region that feed my soul.  I practice my magick in a natural setting whether casting spells under a full moon are raising energy in a driving rainstorm, it is within nature's bower that I feel at home. 
       Like many of you, I dance to the beat of a drum of my own making- never caring how others perceive me.   I am me - weird, happy and thankful that I have been blessed to own a bit of land and raise my magickal family in a temperate rain forest in the pacific northwest along the banks of the Sauk River. 
      I have spent many years honing my skills as a magickal practitioner and was eager to share my knowledge the best way I knew how- through writing.  For a quiet Witch in tune with the spirits of her world- there is no better way to express the joy of her magickal world. One problem though...  I am not an extrovert- I am not good at selling myself. In fact, I'm probably the worst representative for a publishing house there is because my first bit of advice is- 'reference books are nice, but... ultimately, dear soul, you are your most powerful tool.  Trust your instincts and believe in your magick.' 
       Just as many of you identify- I am an intuitive empath who is easily overwhelmed by the energy of others.  When in a crowded room I feel like a porch light that draws so many moths that my light becomes smothered and I ultimately shut down.  Not only do I take in the light and lovely energies of warm and caring individuals, I absorb energies like anger, mistrust, arrogance and pain that feed my own insecurities and make me want to run as fast as I can back to my enchanted forest. 
      I know a lot of people who think I'm being silly and that I need to suck it up- but there is research that validates people like me.  Highly Sensitive Person or HSP disorder is a term used for people with sensory processing sensitivity.  It is found in about 4-5% of the population and is identified as an increased sensitivity of the central nervous system and a deeper cognitive processing of physical, social and emotional stimuli.   In other words... We are more aware than others of the subtle energies in play and process information deeply. We experience the world differently than others- which is kinda cool and (for me) makes sense and explains a lot about why I have always felt... different. 
       This takes me back to writing... As a writer for an independent publishing house, I was not aware of the amount of time I was to spend selling my own work- I get it now, but it has been really difficult for me (I've shed a lot of tears) because the process so contradicts who I am as a person and how I feel about social media.  So when asked if I could make it to PantheaCon for the launch of my recent book, I felt it was something I had to do because I knew I needed to amp up my participation. I am not rich, but I have a friend who lives in San Jose who I could stay with and thought this was the perfect time to meet fans, fellow writers and share some of my knowledge with others. 
      I planned and saved for the event; I purchased and gathered supplies; I played out being charming over and over in my mind; and I put together a magickal first aid kit (which I forgot at home to my chagrin).  I drove with a friend and my daughter and her partner nearly 20 hours before arriving exhausted but happy, at my dear friend's home. 
       PantheaCon was filled with gloriously eccentric souls (very much my people) and my class was small and intimate- creating an environment that was easy for me to connect with individuals as we mixed incense blends around a table in one of the suites. But as the day progressed, I felt my energy begin to drain- I could sense those who were not who they say they are and was finding it harder and harder to process everything that was happening all around me. 
       By the time the launch party had started, I was a shell of the being I was earlier in the day. The room was claustrophobic with people.  I watched as other authors gathered and chit-chatted with one another and I wanted to walk over and say, 'hello,' but I was frozen on the balcony.   The one time I did try to greet another author, I was answered with, 'excuse me,' and moved aside. They probably weren't even aware that I spoke. So in this room filled with amazing souls, who I know were most likely the misfits in school (just as I was), I was a misfit.  When the clock struck nine-forty, I gave my little spiel about my book and bolted. 
       On the long drive home I played the party over and over in my mind and came to the conclusion that I can't even be cool amongst my own tribe and I hated myself for it. 
       It wasn't until I arrived home that I thought long and hard- Yes, I am a misfit- a highly sensitive soul who will never be the life of the party.  I am a Witch who is comfortable growing  herbs, communing with the spirits of the land and creating magick in the most beautiful place on earth (to me).  We all have a role to play- we all have our own special magick to offer. We can't compare ourselves to others and for those who (like me) were 'blessed' with HSP disorder, we need to accept it as a gift and hone the special, magickal skills that comes with it.  Here are a few things that can help fellow HSP practitioners magickally navigate the overwhelming energies of our mundane world.
Stones for Practitioners who are Highly Sensitive
       Theses stones make a great addition to a magickal first-aid kit or to be worn next to the skin when in a charged situation:
 Rose Quartz: restores harmony and loving vibrations
Labradorite: protection from over-thinking and insecure thoughts
Jet: draws away negative energy- supports positive vibes
Amythst: attracts positive vibes and protects against negativity
Blue Lace Agate: promotes peace and harmony
Citrine: for balancing energy
Moonstone: calms and soothes stress
Hemitite: absorbs negative energy
Quartz Crystal: restores and regulates energy
Dragon Stone: promotes strength
Obsidian: healing, strengthening, protection  

Herbs for Highly Sensitive Practitioners
Activate your innate healing abilities with these herbs:
Agrimony: healing and restoration
Angelica: summoning strength- banishing negative vibes
Birch: psychic protection
Calendula: repairs aura and provides energetic protection
Cedar: protection and cleansing
Chamomile: relaxes energy and allows you to become more receptive
Cinnamon: shields negativity
Comfrey: restoration and healing
Fennel: relaxation, healing and focus
Ginger: releases frustration and brings contentment 
Hibiscus: Acceptance of self
Lavender: relaxes the mind and aids in letting go
Lemon Balm: restoration and harmony
Nettle: helps reset both body and mind
Peppermint: promotes healing and loving vibes
Orange peel: uplifting and centering
Rose: understanding and healing- self-love
Rosemary: clears negative vibes
Sage: clears negative energy
Thyme: aids in clear communication
Valerian: transmutes negativity 
Vervain: healing

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Magickal Healing First Aid Kit 
 As empaths or HSPs we are extremely open to the energies of others.  This little kit is designed to be portable for on-the-spot grounding, cleansing and protection. Use the above stones and/or herbs in the combination that works best for you.
Your kit will include: 
Three stones of your choice. Place stones in your pocket to absorb energy.  I like to have Labradorite, Moonstone and a beautiful Obsidian arrowhead.  (you can wear your favorite protective stones as jewelry too- I just like to have them somewhere close where I can use them as I would a worry stone). 
Sage Smudge Spray 
Use this spray to quickly rid yourself of negative vibes.  You will need:
2oz glass bottle with spray head 
1oz distilled water 
1 tsp. vodka/pure grain alcohol 
10 drops Sage essential oil 
4 drops lavender essential oil 
Pinch of sea salt 
Put ingredients in the bottle and charge it to purify and promote healing vibration
Shielding Oil
The shielding properties of cinnamon and cedar combined with the uplifting scent of orange make for a great inclusion to our magickal first-aid kit.  Place a dab at your temples and pulse points as needed.
You will need:
1/3 oz carrier oil (grapeseed or fractionated coconut oil are great)
5 drops cinnamon oil
3 drops cedar oil
2 drops orange oil
glass roll or vial
mix and add to glass vial- shake and allow to sit overnight before use. 

Keep your stones, spray and oil in a drawstring bag that can be tucked into a bag or your luggage for long trips and use as needed.  

Other quick dispelling techniques:
​*Keep a pot of garden soil on your porch or balcony to quickly plunge your hands into when you need a quick grounding
*Hug a tree- Large trees can handle your excess energy. If you're in a park or your back yard and need a quick release- this works great.
*Magickal code word- Have a magickal code word that represents energy release to you and yell out whenever needed.
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For more information on transformative magick- check out my book available wherever books are sold
  

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