Embarking on the path of spirituality has been a transformative and deeply personal journey for me. From my early experiences with witchcraft to my writings at "By Her Fires," my spiritual evolution has been marked by exploration, growth, and self-discovery.

My introduction to witchcraft began in my youth, spurred by a fascination with the mystical and the unknown. Growing up, I felt a strong pull towards nature and the energies that seemed to flow through the world around me. This innate curiosity led me to explore various spiritual practices, books, and eventually, the world of witchcraft.

In my early years, I struggled to find a spiritual practice that resonated deeply with me. Traditional religious paths felt restrictive, and I longed for something that allowed me to connect more profoundly with the natural world and my inner self. It was during this period of searching that I discovered the practices and principles of modern witchcraft.

The journey to embracing witchcraft was gradual and filled with moments of doubt and revelation. I immersed myself in learning about different traditions and practices, from Wicca to eclectic witchcraft. This period of exploration was not just about acquiring knowledge but about finding what truly resonated with my soul.

One of the pivotal moments in my journey was realizing that witchcraft is not a one-size-fits-all path. It is a deeply personal practice that evolves with the individual. This understanding allowed me to create a spiritual practice that was uniquely mine, blending elements from various traditions and incorporating practices that felt authentic to me.

As I delved deeper into my spiritual practice, I felt a strong desire to share my experiences and connect with others on a similar path. This led to the creation of my blog, initially known as "Confessions of a Modern Witch" and later moved to "By Her Fires." The blog became a space where I could document my journey, share insights, and build a community with fellow witches and spiritual seekers.

Through my blog, I explored various aspects of witchcraft, from spellwork and rituals to the use of crystals and sound healing. Each post was a reflection of my ongoing journey, capturing the lessons learned and the wisdom gained along the way. The feedback and support from my readers played a crucial role in my growth, providing a sense of connection and validation.

As my spiritual journey progressed, I began to see the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. This realization led me to explore holistic wellness practices, which became an integral part of my spiritual path. I pursued certifications in sound healing, crystal therapy, and holistic wellness coaching, integrating these modalities into my practice.

Holistic wellness allowed me to approach spirituality from a more balanced perspective, emphasizing self-care and inner healing. It taught me the importance of nurturing not just my spiritual self but my physical and emotional well-being as well. This holistic approach has been transformative, helping me achieve a deeper sense of harmony and peace.

Today, my spiritual practice is a dynamic and evolving journey. I continue to explore new practices and deepen my understanding of witchcraft and holistic wellness. Each day brings new opportunities for growth and learning, reinforcing my commitment to this path.

Looking ahead, I aspire to expand my reach and share my journey with an even wider audience. Whether through writing, workshops, or personal consultations, my goal is to inspire and support others on their spiritual journeys.

My journey through spirituality and becoming the witch I am today has been filled with challenges, discoveries, and profound transformations. It has taught me the value of authenticity, resilience, and the power of community. Through "By Her Fires," I hope to continue sharing my experiences, offering guidance, and fostering connections with those who seek a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

For those just beginning their journey or seeking to deepen their practice, remember that spirituality is a deeply personal path. Trust in your intuition, embrace your unique journey, and know that you are never alone on this path.

For more detailed accounts and ongoing updates, you can follow me on this blog or on my various social media outlets. Be on the lookout for my single card pulls. I've started doing a monologue of sorts with a single card from my River Witch Oracle Deck each morning and sharing it across my various accounts. Be sure to check it out!

Blessings,

Rev. Renee Sosanna Olson

aka - Neuse River Witch

byherfires.com

neuseriverwitch.com

 It has been an amazing few months. So many things have changes.  My profession (mundane) life has begun a new journey. I'm working on a few new prospects for my career and finding that things are not always as they seem.  After renewal of some certifications and putting myself out there, I have landed a better role and looking forward to how it will grow as I move forward.

I've also begun sharing my WFPB journey in a FB Group. My goal here is to share information to those interested on how to work through the struggles of eating out, grocery shopping and answering the questions of those around me as to what WFPB is and how to be successful at it. 

I still struggle with these last 11-15 pounds that just won't drop, but I do want to share with others that I have lost 130 pounds of excess body weight.  With that loss, I also lost my diabetes, my fibromyalgia and all of my prescription drugs. This led me to where I am today with mental clarity, patience and understanding for my fellow earthlings on this planet.

I've also started sharing some of my work from my shop page on TikTok.  I'm working on exploring my creativity in this new venue.  I hope you'll come by and follow me for the random, weird and sometimes cool things that I have going on in my life.

On my magical front, I've been working on Empath Empowerment workshops on my FB page. I'm alternating between readings for clients and offering support for those who experience the sometimes draining effects of dealing with being empathic. I look forward to helping our community learn to ward, protect and guide themselves away from negativity and learn to cope with the influx of emotions that can sometimes come up in our lives.

My next update is that I have had my shop up for about 2 months now. Things are going very well. I have sold out of several of my products and have limited space for new clients.  If you're interested in becoming a client you can click this link to learn about my packages. From ad-hoc or single readings to a committed contract where I make myself available to you for a selected time frame, each one offers my commitment to provide you with the most reliable readings, the best information and the support you need to wade through this murky quagmire that we call life. I would love to work with you, feel free to tap the chat button at the bottom of the page or reach out by purchasing one of my readings.

Overall, life is good. We're rolling with the punches as the world changes around us. I hope that you have an amazing Samhain and if you're up for it, reach out for a reading from an ancestor.  All I need is a photo and your energy to hear the voices of those passed.

Blessings!

Sosanna

Hi Everyone!  Happy Full Moon!

We're sitting right in the middle of the heat of summer.  My mind is drifting to pumpkins and fallen leaves. Soon the days will begin to cool and we'll be wrapped in the arms of old man winter!  I love that time of year.  We still have a few weeks of hot days to deal with but then, we'll welcome hoodies and hot meals.

For my summer updates, I wanted to let you know that I have updated the website to include a few more pages and some shop updates.  As many of you know I had to close my Etsy shop due to their charges. I'm currently working on setting up a small shop here on the website.  You can find my reading offerings already listed, however I plan to add some of my jewelry here as well. So stay tuned for a fall update that will again give you the ability to buy some of my amazing wire creations.

I have removed Linkt.ree from my website after seeing how they impacted my SEO. Instead you can now find a list of all of my social links and content creation links here.  This puts all my links in one location, that I can control and that does not impact my SEO.

I have also updated my page to include an updated about me, a new page with my certifications and removed the web shop due to reports of issues with checkout.  I now have direct PayPal links to purchase ad-hoc readings as well as client consultation packages.

Lastly, I'd like to pull a card for you this morning to move forward through this mid-August day and hopefully provide some insight on where you are right now in this moment.

Kinship - Teamwork, Connection, Sharing, Supporting

Crystal - Carnelian

The image on this card shows a woman with pack roaming the woods under the full moon. She has all manners of creatures by her side. There is diversity in her friendships and each bring to the table a uniqueness that she longs for. She is kin to these beings, they are her team, her group. She is connected to them and their energies. Her robes are highly decorated and her pockets are lined with carnelian. This crystal symbolizes balances the sacral chakra and willpower, growth and awareness. It promotes courage and is often used to overcome abusive energy.

When we see this card we can expect to see like minded people around us. We will have our team come in to join us for the labor at hand. We can expect them to be sharing and supporting us, as we them. Today is a day of togetherness and oneness. Use the energy of this card to welcome your family into your space and enjoy the connection that you have.

This card comes from the Universal Folk Oracle by Anita Inverarity. 

I hope this day finds you well.  

Blessings

Sosanna