Solitary Witch and Healer

Fair day.

I am Seth; a true Witch, and practicioner of the Healing Arts. I am visiting friends at the Lair and Dream Teller requested I host her Blog, today. I am not particularly adept at this mode of interaction but I will give it a try. I ask your patience as I attempt to impart something of value to you.

I have traveled extensively in my 30 years, and have seen some of the most beautiful sites in the world. But the cities and towns in the South and Southeast have a magical effect that beckons, a wild beauty, that brings me back again and again. The Southern hospitality extended to all who make their way South is most extraordinary, particularly to one such as myself. I am a Northerner; a solitary Witch.

I am the last-born of three siblings, an only son. My parents are both Witches; my mother a Healer and my father is gifted in many areas; one might say a 'Jack of all trades', for lack of a better description. My sisters are both modern young Witches. Being twins, they have always been inseparable; were, and still are mischievous merry-makers with penchants for playing practical jokes upon the unsuspecting. Most often the unsuspecting are Outsiders, generally male, with a tendancy for drawing the mischief upon themselves (I tend to fall into the male catagory, as well).

Early in our youth, females most always followed their mother's path while males followed their father. But by the time the girls reached puberty it was fairly well understood (by the rest of us at home) that the twins weren't likely to settle into the restrictive life required for studying the Healing Arts. The inherent nature of the Healer just didn't reach from mother to daughters. They inherited their natures from our father and, as it turned out, I inherited the nature of the Healer. So it was that Dad took charge of the girls while Mom trained me. I can't begin to tell you the mischief my sisters would get up to, while Dad urged them on; often joining them in their sprited play. As you might guess, ours was a happy household, if often chaotic.

As I grew into adulthood my inherent gifts became more apparent. And the learning of the Art of Healing was more the learning of how to use what I'd been gifted with and applying it accordingly. My mother is well known and respected for her abilities and I soon became known among our Kind as my mother's 'prodigy'. Though I am extremely gifted as a Healer, prodigy isn't a title I am fond of. I don't consider myself special for there are many Healers of great reknown; gifted and talented far beyond my talents.

In the past ten years I have had the opportunity to study under two such Healers, each of whom shared with me certain of their own medicinal potions that took years to perfect. Medicines and potions used in combination with the power of healing chants and paranormal abilities go beyond the ability of modern medicines, in many cases. But with the Outsiders' views of our Kind, we are forced to keep our information to ourselves.

Too many times we are branded as Satanists, Majicians of Black Majic, and numerous other derogatory names that force us to remain secretive. Then there are those who attempt to hunt us down, capture us, and force us to reveal the ingredients of medicines and potions in order to claim ownership; fame and fortune. What they refuse to believe is that those are worthless to any who haven't the gifts to make them work.

What many scientists refuse to believe is that most ingredients for powerful medicines and potions are not rare and costly; growing in some foreign soil. Drug manufacturers are the power that drive the belief that it requires master-minds, years of research, and billions of dollars to perfect a particular medicine. Of late, I've noticed that certain drugs are being pushed through tests at an alarmingly quick rate and put on the mass market, only to be pulled months later for the deadly side-effects that appear. Those don't appear out of nowhere. Those are known, hidden from the public, and when enough harm is done, pulled off the market. The drug companies know the rote; get it out there, make billions, get a slap on the wrist and fined a few hundred-thousand dollars, and keep the enormous profit. Been going on for a long time and so it will continue, and all for the almighty profit.

That isn't to say we don't have Healers of our Kind who won't perpetrate a scam for a large profit. Those who get scammed are most often those intending to scam the public; private scientists, drug-manufacturing officials, doctors, etc. Purportedly intelligent business people looking for fame and fortune are easy targets for the Healer looking to take them down a peg, or make a fast buck. Generally, all is carried out in such a manner that those private individuals aren't about to go public about being fleeced, given that they, themselves, were about under-handed business. But such goings-on create a great deal of animosity among thieves and that proves to be a grave problem for the rest of our Kind.

Aye, and we remain secretive for those and other reasons. Just as Outsiders will cause harm that can effect others so, too, do those of other Kinds. None are so different in that circumstance.

The life of a Solitary Witch is a choice. Most simply prefer to practice their religion and their Arts alone; keep to their own schedule, their own ways, and the like. That isn't to say that Solitary Witches won't assist other Witches or join with them to celebrate. Most of us are social creatures and certainly one seeks to socialize with others like themselves. Gatherings at the Witchs' holidays are glorious celebrations and there one may find several Covens and Solitary Witches meeting and greeting, as one Kind.

I would like to give you a glimpse into the work of a Healer. When one mentions potions, paranormal powers, and Witches, one can literally hear the gears grinding in the minds of Outsiders. More, your thoughts are clearly written in your faces as your brain serves up all the myths, lies, and fairytales you've ingested for the most of your lives. Your fantasies are just that; fantastic, unreal, or, in rare cases, at the very least, outdated.

Witches have moved into the new millennium right along with other Kinds; including Outsiders. We are modern individuals, forward thinkers, and we have gladly incorporated modern conveniences into our lives. Believe me, I don't stand outside over a black cauldron brewing my potions and making wicked cackling sounds. Fact is, I have a professionally equipped kitchen that would turn any chef green with envy. As in most households, when family comes to visit, the kitchen is the hub of activity. Mom and I have spent many hours there, trying new possibilities and brewing the tried and true. If you were to walk into my kitchen during one of those times, you would be none the wiser for what was on the stove. But you would have the pleasure of the various smells of herbs, roots, and such. You would see various bunches of herbs hanging to dry, and your eye might be drawn to the herb garden growing in my kitchen.

I've a penchant for bringing the outdoors inside wherever and however I can. Thus, I also have a fair-sized waterfall, complete with pond and various fish, in my great-room where one entire wall opens to the outside. Helps a great deal to bring nature indoors. In the event of bad weather... well, you get the gist. Doesn't get much more modern than that, yet, I'm able to practice my religion and the Arts without interruption.

I hope I've given you something to think about. As we all move toward the future I, like other Witches, hope that the mythical novelty will further erode so that your Kind will come to accept us as a people. There are and always be rogues who cast the lot of us in a bad light; not so different than the criminal element of your Kind. But for the most part we are a peaceful, law-abiding lot who want nothing more than to live our lives in harmony with nature and all Kinds. Give us the opportunity and we will take your hand in friendship and offer you our hospitality. But know we will stand against those who mean us harm and in that, we can best you. No threat intended, merely fact. Fair day to all.