There are countless witchcraft or occult books that say more or less a variation on ‘To Know Thyself is to Know the Way.’ This was also a canned phrase used in a very unfortunate and cultish circle that I used to be a member of—but managed to escape. And what’s curious is that a lot of these publications, gurus, and even other witches very rarely explain what this actually means. 

What is a ‘Nature?’ 

I think that this question is best explained with examples. What is the nature of a dandelion? To put down roots. To draw nutrients in the soil. To push back against the sidewalks, the cement and asphalt. To flower, and then to spread its seeds, and float on the wind. None of these things are done with a ‘reason’ that requires any thought. It’s just what dandelions do. It’s the same way it is a cat’s nature to pounce, to nap in sunbeams, and to patrol its territory. 

Humans are very curious in that they suffer the most from getting their Nature confused. By their Nature, most humans are social creatures. But, then you get things like…late stage capitalism in the mix. And thus things like ‘culture’ or ‘politics’ or ‘the economy’ begin to change what people think they are meant to be doing. Humans aren’t actually supposed to sit down in one place all day, staring at keyboards. Yet, here we are. 

People also like to fool themselves by thinking they are ‘meant’ to be a certain way that is supported by current culture. Not everyone, for example, is meant for or can even survive doing high-pressure sales for work. Doing introspection and being observant, you can figure out your ‘true’ nature. This also overlaps with the idea of figuring out how you might ‘mask’ as a neurodivergent. 

Discovering Your Nature

I used to really dislike myself because of the way I ‘naturally’ was. I got excited about things, and spoke very quickly. I would info-dump or get upset very easily with very loud noises or crowds. And I didn’t understand that this, and many other symptoms, were indicative of undiagnosed Autism Spectrum until well into my 20s. Suddenly, I didn’t need to ‘hate’ what was ‘wrong’ about me. Instead, I could accept what was ‘different’ about me, and learn how to adjust my life instead of trying to change myself. 

One thing I struggled with constantly was the fact that I love picking up new hobbies, constantly learning new things, and I don’t ‘stick’ to one single focus. (Check out the book ‘Refuse to Choose’ by Barbara Sher for more about this.) I mean…isn’t that what we are ‘supposed’ to do as creatives? Pick one speciality and then stay in that lane? Forever? I don’t think I could. 

To say this in other words—my nature is very much like a Corvid. I like to cache things that I like. I am very curious and will investigate new things. I like to gossip. I am also very protective of my ‘flock.’ I know how to watch, and how to listen. I adore a good puzzle. It’s very important to me to preen and take care of my appearance, as well as ‘feather my nest’ and make my home my own and very comfortable. At the same time, I am watching for betrayal, and I do not forget it. You know, corvid stuff. 

Crows also cache both food and building materials for their nest—and keep multiple caches of each, just in case one is compromised. In that same way, my initial instinct is to never put all my eggs (such as finances) into one basked. I am instinctually concerned that one of my caches might get discovered and raided. And, I’ll be very real here, the anxiety disorder does not help with that at all. 

At the same time, my Nature is very much that of a crafter than a warrior. I love my tools, and it’s very enjoyable for me to learn new things related to my interests. But, you won’t find me rushing in to any dangerous situations…or moving very fast in general. Unless ‘making sport’ includes Beat Saber or walking my Pikmin, I am not very interested. Indeed, swords are very cool, but I am a ghost member of my local HEMA club—and I contribute by reminding people to keep hydrated and keeping up the chapter website. And those things have value. I don’t have a reason to beat myself up about not wanting to compete. It just isn’t in my nature, even if I think it is very, very cool. 

That is to say that I am very well aware that the genre of my life is a lot closer to ‘Flying Witch’ and ‘Management of a Novice Alchemist’ rather than ‘Dragon Ball Z’ or ‘Fairy Tail.’ And that is fine. I am learning to celebrate that in my own way. I may occasionally show up in those action ‘shows’ as a legendary craftsman or a sought-after information dealer. And those roles are just as cool. 

What About You?

I do think everyone could benefit from taking some time to discover their own natures, and how to best respected celebrate them. So I’m going to ask all of you dear readers, retrograde planets, and space junks, what do you know about your own nature? 

This post’s lateness was brought to you by me spilling ginger tea and freaking out about my laptop going night-night.