Patricia Weston
White witch
When did you realise you were a witch? I always felt very intuitive and I could pick up energies around people. Oddly enough, as a child people’s past lives flashed before my eyes. I would know things psychically. I’ve always had that psychic ability but I kept it hidden for a long time because I didn’t want people to think I was a bit odd. It was only when I got into my late 20s that I really started exploring witchcraft. I realised that the spells work and magic is actually everywhere. I got into it so much -then and I loved it – I haven’t looked back!
Do you ever get negative reactions from people when they hear you are a witch?
Absolutely! I don’t explain myself to anyone because that’s just asking for trouble, as far as I’m concerned. I read tarot cards and I’m a medium so when people are interested in what I do, they really want to come for a reading. But when people are sceptical, I don’t bother entertaining that.
Do you have any Halloween rituals or traditions?
Yes. I have started visiting graveyards to connect with spirits that have passed on. I like to connect to that energy. I find the veil starts to thin around September. I live in Skerries, Co. Dublin and there’s a lovely sea fog coming in, the light dims and then you can start to discern spirits more clearly. Around Halloween, the veil is at its thinnest so you can tap into the other world. On Samhain I usually celebrate those who have gone before. I will do a ritual and I light a candle to honour the dead.
Is there anything we shouldn’t be meddling with if we’re not used to witchcraft?
Yes, I would be careful with Ouija boards and tarot cards. Tarot cards are so readily available now that people just pick them up in newsagents and start to read them. But they are tapping into an energy from their unconscious mind. They are not really dealing with the energy. When I read tarot cards, I light candles and I invoke my guides and spirits for protection. Protection is really important. You’re working with light energies so you’re not allowing anything negative through. You always need to call in your guides and energies to protect you before you start tapping into the other side.
What are some signs that you might have psychic powers?
You would be able to easily pick up on energies, and tell if someone is lying or telling the truth. If someone is talking to you or you walk into a house, you might get a strange vibe – a tingle in your stomach or a headache. That is a warning to stay away. When you’re intuitive or psychic it’s very subtle, and often you won’t get a reason behind it. You’ll get a bad vibe about someone and you won’t know why, so you’ll use logic to override it. What I would say is, ignore the logic! Always trust your intuition.
What are some simple spells to start with?
The candle spell is the simplest, so if you have an intention you want to set for anything, I would recommend setting up an altar in your home, with a vase of flowers and maybe a photo of someone who has passed on. You can light a candle for them or yourself, if you’re going through a tough time. Casting a spell is just setting an intention, and calling on your guides, angels and spirits to help you. You don’t have to do it all on your own.