Practicing in The Broom Closet

Practicing in the “Broom Closet” is what it is called when you’re afraid of repercussions if you come out to those around you, so you choose to remain silent about your beliefs. This is incredibly common. So, know that you’re not alone.

Hell, don’t blame us. Blame history.

Witchcraft can have a negative connotation for those who have no knowledge of what it actually entails to be a witch. Witchcraft is often thrown in the same pot as Satanism (another practice that’s not widely understood), and we’re still dealing with the ripple effects of the Satanic Panic of yesteryear.

It can be very intimidating to come out and proclaim yourself a witch when you suspect you won’t be understood.

This article will be a bit more personal in nature, considering practicing in the broom closet is something that I have extensive knowledge of. It wasn’t until the past few years that I’ve been comfortable being more open in identifying myself as a witch, even though, if close enough attention was paid — people would’ve had questions. 

What’s with this apothecary? Oh, nothing. I like my teas. Don’t you have enough crystals? Um, mind yours. Why does your house look like it’s Halloween? Because it should be. All the time. 

Again, mind yours. 

I’ve always been a bit weird, and my fascination with the occult started in the 90s with classics like Practical Magic, Hocus Pocus, and The Craft. My biological dad was probably the first to notice when he’d label me as a “Little Pagan.” 

Yes, thank you. 

Fast forward to the present day, and knowledge abounds. Overwhelmingly so, and it often seems conflicting. And that’s because it is. 

The best advice I can offer a beginner is to vet your sources and choose what aligns with you. 

There is no official doctrine. Although, some, rigid in their own path and practice, will tell you how they think it ought to be. And that’s fine. What works for them works for them, and it holds no bearings over your own magick. So adopt what feels right for you, and discard the rest. 

That said, I will always encourage you to study. Study herbs if you’d like. Study crystals. Study flying the hedge. Study whatever calls to you. 

But what is most essential is finding your flow state. This is where the magick happens. I may be borrowing that catchphrase from an early 2000s TV show featuring the lifestyles of the rich and famous, but I digress.

#1 Meditation

The first thing you can do to elevate your practice is to learn to control your mind through meditation. 

You can start slowly and expand the length of time as you work on mindfulness. This is the first step toward tapping into magick. You must remain focused on your intent to assert your will outward into the universe while you perform rituals, ceremonies, and spellwork. Meditation is the catalyst to expanding your craft. 

With the ability to focus your mind and tap into waves that are conducive to magick, you can perform magick with no tools at all except your mind + your will.

And, bonus, it’s also a practice that you can do under the guise of something else. 

#2 Decoration

Several items on their own are entirely inconspicuous. Who doesn’t like incense? Well, maybe folks with fragrance sensitivities but aside from that. They serve the purpose of cleansing your space under the guise of simple fragrances.

Another inconspicuous item is crystals. They’re gorgeous to look at and even found at your local Home Goods, so having this item around doesn’t necessarily scream “witch.”

Also, McCormick is having a moment of recognition. Who needs an apothecary when you have the wonderful herbs + spices aisle at your local supermarket? 

#3 Apps + Forums

It’s 2021. Who doesn’t have a computer in their pocket at all times? You can search for apps related to learning Tarot, Herbs, Crystals, Astrology, and so much more. Aside from that, there are Discord chats and forums specific to learning the craft.

However, use your own discretion when utilizing these forums. These are open spaces where the sources are not vetted. Much like TikTok and Instagram. Use your own judgment, particularly if anyone is claiming that there is only one truth. Most of us who are putting information out there have good intentions, and we’re offering the magick that has worked for us and the knowledge we’ve collected along the way. That said, what works for one person does not always work for another, so expanding your knowledge database is the key to carving out a path that is right for and unique to you.

The vastness of the interwebs provides endless possibilities for expanding your knowledge through your mobile device. And that leads me to my next suggestion!

#4 Ereaders 

In the same vein as apps are ereaders. 

If you don’t want to risk someone scrolling through your personal library and finding hard copies of witchy books, put them on your ereader. 

Bonus, there are subscriptions offered through Amazon as well as Scribd that let you read several ebooks for a low monthly price. My personal recommendation is Scribd. I’m not affiliated with them, but their selection is massive, and I can’t sing their praises enough. Scribd is approximately $10 a month, and you get access to their libraries of a ton of witchy and pagan titles.

While they do shadow some titles if you’re a particularly quick reader, I find that for the average reader, this $10 service is worth it with the number of titles you do have access to.

#5 Travel Altars 

Travel Altars are a dual-purpose item. They’re handy to have even if you’re not in the broom closet, and they’re also easy to conceal. All you need is a small container and a few items that are key to your practice. 

You can use a makeup bag or an old mint tin, or any other contraption that works for you. 

Here is a short list of some common items to include in your travel altar:

🜃 Earth: Salt + Crystals

🜁 Air: Incense + Feather

🜂 Fire: Candle + Matches

🜄 Water: Shell + Thimble

You can also include salts, herbs, and anything else that you might like to have with you on the go or find paramount to your personal practice. 

Have you ever been in the broom closet, or are you still? Leave us a comment and let us know your tips + experiences!