Wow. This was so beautiful and vulnerable. Your self-reflection is inspiring.

I also love that you called out the stigmas around sex work. Bravo.

As for witches…well, they are the best, aren’t they? LOL. I strongly identify with that term (which is probably obvious) and one thing that always unsettles me is that “cartoonishness” about it that you mentioned — the way our culture has loaded that word and the traditions around the old religions with negative associations and silliness.

In reality, goddess religions are not that different, in practice, than most other religions. Prayers, for example, are spells. The sacraments of Catholicism are rituals. There’s really nothing different about witch-type religions and the only reason they come with the connotations they have is because the patriarchal religious traditions have done such a good job at discrediting and disdaining the old goddess religions.

I appreciate that you are so open-minded and respectful of this religious perspective. If more people were like that, it would go a long way toward removing all the negative connotations around these beautiful religious traditions. Thank you so much holding that space with such reverence.

And thank you for sharing this beautiful story.