“More than five centuries have passed since ‘witchcraft’ appeared in the legal codes of many European countries. and women reputed to be witches became the target of a mass persecution. Today most governments in countries where women are assaulted and murdered as witches do not acknowledge the crime. Nevertheless, at the roots of the new persecution we find many of the same factors that instigated the sixteenth- and seventeenth-century with hunts, with religion and regurgitation of the most misogynous biases against women providing the ideological justification.” — Silvia Federici, “Witches, Witch-Hunting, and Women.”

“Yes, this is a witch hunt. We’re witches. And we’re hunting you.” —Lindy West, “The Witches Are Coming.”

I firmly believe that at the atomic level, well-being fights the patriarchy and dismantles the systems of oppression that affect us all. You might be rolling your eyes, but hear me out.

Witchcraft, and especially the brujas, espiritisitas, and stregas who’ve stepped out of the spiritual closet since Instagram made its mark, is such a shining example of wellness as resistance. Coming out as a witch is to not just acknowledge your ancestry, but to dive deep on familial traditions and rituals and investigate their origins. It’s an act of remembering who you are and who you were, before your identity was stripped down to be something deemed appropriate and acceptable by popular culture. The mere admission of being a witch is an act of resistance, a big fat double middle finger in the face of patriarchal toxic masculinity.

Kaitlyn Watsabaugh of Hija del Sol is such a shining example to anyone who’s struggling to find activism in their wellness practice. As an Espiritista, Kaitlyn uses her gifts to bridge the gap between the ancestors of the past and future ancestors. We sat down with her to learn more about her practice.

Inner Alchemy —

What was your catalyst for starting spiritual work?

I have always been a spiritual worker. My connection to spiritualism, witchcraft, and the occult is something I was born into. I have always identified as a witch, back to my earliest memories. I worked in the apparel industry for over a decade, and throughout that time, I performed spells and rituals and read tarot on the side. My craft and offerings have evolved with me over the years, and in the last four and a half years, I have dedicated myself entirely to spirit work. I was let go from my last job in the apparel industry on May 31st of last year, and now I am all in with my spiritual practice.

What’s a mantra or idea that continues to drive you forward as you build your practice?

I have not settled on a mantra, but I have been praying with and meditating heavily on the Our Father and Hail Mary prayers. I suppose the idea that drives me forward is the desire to embody Jesus Christ and the Holy Mother more fully in my words, thoughts, and actions. Not White Jesus, Christian-megachurch-anti-abortion Jesus. I’m into the Jesus of service to the poor, the most vulnerable, the sex workers, criminals, sick, discarded, forgotten. Cleansing of the Temple Jesus, turning over the tables of the merchants in the place of worship, uprooting capitalism, crushing supremacy. That’s my idea of the spirit of Jesus. I have no interest in the Holy Mother’s virginity or purity.

To me, the Holy Mother is the Queen of Compassion and Empathy. The healer, the incubator of creation. The example of patience and kindness in the face of adversity and pain and suffering. Mother to any and all who need encouragement and warm embrace. These are the ideas that continue to drive me forward as I build my practice and build myself.

What’s the most prominent limiting belief that you had to overcome to begin?

Though I have been intuitively and sometimes unintentionally channeling spirit for most of my life, making the conscious decision to begin a relationship with spirit was kind of scary. I was able to overcome this with the help of my mentor and by taking mediumship-oriented workshops and classes. Observing other practitioners as they worked affirmed that many of the intuitive practices I was already doing were in alignment, helped me fill in the blanks, and gave me the boost of confidence I needed.

What’s a belief you’re trying to let go of?

I am trying to let go of the idea of limits. I sometimes get caught up thinking that certain things can’t be possible because of whatever the circumstance may be, and consequently, I limit the divine source’s return on whatever energy I am investing in. There are no limits to what can be done when we are in alignment with our highest purpose.

How did your perception of yourself (identity, affiliation, etc) evolve when you went deeper into your own work?

As I went deeper into my work, I discovered that my embodiment of duality became more apparent and literal. I am a Solar Gemini in the 12th House to my core. I worship the Sun and need it’s warmth and light to charge my body, mind, and soul. I love the shadows cast by the light of the Moon. In them, I can let all of the dark parts of me out. By the light of the Moon, I commune with spirits and dance with the Devil. I love the Holy Family as much as I love Lucifer. I can be the desirable maiden in one moment, and the next I am a hag of a crone. I am obsessed with the Persephone myth, Queen of the Underworld, Goddess of Spring. My magic is in my ability to move between worlds effortlessly and without fear or judgment.

Mystical Metaphysics —

How do you care for yourself as a leader in your community?

I do a lot of cleansing and protection work for myself every single day, all day long. I set boundaries between myself and my clients, and I put systems into practice to streamline the admin part of my job as much as possible so that I may focus on spiritual labor.

What does being an Espiritista mean to you?

It means being in constant communion with the spirit world, having a responsibility to venerate my ancestors and the ancestors forgotten, and to teach others to live in communion with spirit as well.

Do you think it is crucial for anyone who’s experienced oppression under white supremacy to touch base with their spiritual ancestry?

Yes, but how can one touch base with their spiritual ancestry if white supremacy wiped away their history via enslavement, colonization, genocide, or conversion? That’s where building a relationship with your spirit guides can help. White supremacy cannot take away your spirits, and it cannot take away your ancestors. Even if you know nothing of your ancestry because of white supremacy, your guides, spirits, and ancestors can teach you your spiritual path. They can move through you and show you the way. That is why I created my Into the Veil Workshop. I want to empower anyone with a desire to learn about their personal spirituality to do so by nurturing a relationship with their spirits in a grounded and centered practice.

Supernatural Systems —

How do you get everything done (because OMG you do a lot)?

Acuity Scheduling helps a lot. It’s a scheduling platform that comes free with Squarespace business edition. I keep a detailed to-do list on Google Tasks and set deadlines as calendar events. I have so much support from my husband. Without him, I would not have had the courage to pursue spirit work professionally, and I would not be able to manage our household with two small children.

What’s a book, podcast, or video that shaped your thinking recently?

Between the Worlds with Amanda Yates Garcia. The first episode of the year is called “The Emperor Year - Fear it or Fondle it?” I have a complicated relationship with the Emperor. I tend to resist authority and of course, some difficult Dad-stuff. This episode is about 2020 being the Emperor year, and making the Emperor work for us in Divine Order rather than as a tool of supremacy. It’s pretty fun.

What are you learning about?

I took a class at Spirit House Collective about Mayan Galactic Signatures recently, so now I am diving deeply down that wormhole.

What do you wish more people were learning about?

Grounding, protection, and cleansing. I emphasize its importance so frequently. I believe caring for your spiritual hygiene should be as routine as brushing your teeth. We are all walking around carrying so much and trauma - it’s important as psychically sensitive people to take care of yourself and avoid absorbing anyone else’s suffering.

Kaitlyn Watsabaugh, Espiritista: The Power of Witchcraft And Occult Practice to Fight Systems of Oppression