Every week we like to feature a witch from the community that really stands out in their practice! Carla from @marielizzeau is definitely exceptional! She first caught our eye with her great article over on @witch.with.me about the Tale of the Civil War Hoodoo Spell Bottle. It’s a great read if you haven’t checked it out already.

She also hosts FREE masterclasses on spellwork as well as paid services, which is infinitely valuable in its own right. Recently she hosted a community healing Hoodoo ritual for those affected by COVID-19. You can find the ritual up on her page, and it is nothing but simple, calm healing vibes. She also hosts one on one coaching and Tarot Readings. Her magick is so inspiring and her words are uplifting.

We took a few moments to get to know her and her craft a bit better, and we hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as we did! Be sure to head over to her page and check out all the goodies she has to offer, you won’t be disappointed.

You can read our full interview below! Help us give Carla a warm welcome!!

Tell us about yourself and how you came across your practice?

When I was a little girl, I found a set of male and female figure candles half-way burned, on the floor of my older cousin’s closet. It was a love spell that was in process. I somehow instinctively knew that it was the work of another aunt who lived nearby. I was fascinated, but said nothing, as it was obviously a secret. I was also afraid of that aunt, who was really strict. She believed that a child should be seen but not heard, and I was quite obedient in those days.

As I grew up, that aunt would babysit me for weekends, and she’d take me along to botanicas (spiritual stores) when she went shopping for supplies. I would also watch her do mini-rituals, in which she’d read Bible verses, and burn House Blessing incense. She also kept a dream book for interpreting dreams into Lotto numbers. I never asked about what she was doing. but I took it all in.

As I got older, she did teach me a bit about her hoodoo practices, but I moved away to New York City in my 20’s. A friend took me to a witchy store where you could get candles carved with seals. I felt right at home. The candle shop owner self-published a candle magick book with seals, and I learned to carve my own. I took a hoodoo rootwork correspondence course, and was able to fill the gaps in my knowledge. I also read a lot of magickal books from various practices. I am fascinated with magickal practices from around the world and throughout history.

What are some of your favorite types of spells to craft?

Candle magick is my jam! I love the ease of putting all of my focus and intention into a candle, and watching the fire do its work.

I’m a big believer in using magick to help you reach your bigger goals. I meet lots of witches wanting to achieve big goals such as starting a business, writing a book, etc, but not using magick as part of the process. These bigger goals need a deeper magickal approach, so I created my Queen Up Club coven to share magickal strategies with witchpreneurs.

Who or what are some of your influences on your practice and magick?

As hoodoo folk magick uses whatever is handy, I find that my personal magick choices are quite intuitive - yet effective. As a solo eclectic witch, I probably break a lot of rules, because I don’t always know what they are. But the result of that experimentation is that I realized that different denominations have much in common. Now that I’m 52, I also study metaphysics, Law of Attraction, New Thought, and incorporate those elements into my magick. The thing I’ve learned is, that with a clear intention, all of these methods can be successful.

Do you have any books you would recommend to folks looking to begin their craft?

I was recently asked for essential reading for beginner witches, and I didn’t have an answer, as it’s been a while since I was new to the path. And soooo many awesome beginner books have come out since I was starting out!

My go-to books these days are herbal and candle reference books, which work at any level of practice. I’m often cross-referencing correspondences for herbs and their spiritual significances. I have several books on reading Tarot, but my Complete Idiot’s Guide to Tarot and Fortune Telling is surprisingly well-worn.

What advice would you give to a baby witch?

Whenever new solo witches ask me where to start, I usually recommend that they start with whatever topic calls them the most. Over time, you sort of work in a spiral journey of knowledge gathering, and nothing learned is ever wasted.

Keeping a magickal journal is important for keeping records of tarot spreads, dreams, and spellcraft. You learn a lot about the meanings of things when you are able to review them at a later date.

In my masterclasses, I stress the importance of intention, and to believe in the power that is within each of us. I also teach how intuition and meaningful symbolism can lead to powerful self-magick.