- Dec 10, 2025
When a Christian Mama Taps into her Inner Witch
- Courtney Ashworth
A longtime friend recently asked me some thoughtful questions about the practices I share and how they’re woven into my life—and into the mama circles I host. It felt like the perfect moment to reflect, share a little ‘magic’, and explain how it all connects to faith.
With my annual New Year Visioning Workshop just weeks away, I wanted to give my responses a home here—maybe they’ll spark something for you, too. If you've been curious about joining in on a mama circle at Cassava Acres, the visioning workshop is my favorite, there is a link at the bottom of this article to check out this year's offering.
As Christmas nears, spirituality and magic seem to shimmer everywhere—from twinkling lights and music to the quiet, sacred moments that ask us to pause and notice God’s presence. In my mama circles, I create spaces where we can slow down, breathe, and tune into the whispers of Spirit that speak uniquely to each of us, while also creating community of intentional, heart-centered moms. I don't bring this into my work blindly; I offer it because I know the power of weaving relationship and connection with Spirit into everyday life firsthand.
My Faith Story
I grew up in church and experienced emotions that felt big—some uplifting, some confusing—and looking back, I can’t always be certain they were of God. Like many, I’ve been hurt by other Christians and by church leaders, and finding a community I could truly trust hasn’t always been easy. At times, it felt like religion was being worshipped more than a genuine relationship with God.
And yet, we are all created uniquely by Him. It makes sense that each of us experiences God differently—just as our bodies need different diets, movement, or sleep, our spiritual journeys naturally vary.
Over the years, I’ve explored my own ways to connect—through meditation, prayer, stargazing, or simply holding a stone in my hand—and I’ve discovered that noticing the Divine in these small, sacred moments can be just as powerful, or even more so, than any grand sermon.
God has shown up for me, and shown grace and boundless love for me and my family, I believe in Christ's Love for us – and I know what I hold now is rooted in real relationship with Spirit.
Leaning into the Power God Gives Us
When I talk about “the power within,” I’m talking about something deeply personal and sacred—the power placed in each of our lives from the very beginning. It’s the quiet, steady inner voice that often whispers when we pause to listen. We were designed with intuition—an inner knowing, a gut sense, a subconscious processing system. Spirit uses this inner guidance to meet us where we are, to point us toward what is good, true, and life-giving.
Supporting moms to connect with this inner knowing is at the heart of what I do in my work. It’s about creating space to slow down, breathe, and notice what’s stirring within, the subtle guidance from Spirit that can easily get drowned out by the noise of daily life. The more time we spend in reflective meditation, prayer, or quiet awareness, the more clarity we receive - and it's like any cycle, the more we do it, the deeper the connection becomes and the easier it is to receive. It’s a practice of trust: trusting we were created with everything we need, and trusting ourselves to notice and follow the signals placed in our hearts.
Tapping into this inner knowing isn’t about perfection or always having the “right” answer. It’s about presence and awareness, and creating a relationship with Spirit that’s alive, dynamic, and deeply personal. And it’s transformative: the more we practice, the more confident and centered we become, both as individuals and as mothers navigating the beautiful, messy complexity of life.
And on the note of parenting, this is also a big part of why I homeschool: so I can gently create the atmosphere that my children have plenty of space and freedom to settle into their own inner worlds, as opposed to being overly influenced by our unsteady culture.
Note:
Below are some more 'woo woo' tools I use that you may have questions about. I try to explain how I use them, why, what I've learned in studying what scripture has to say, and how it may show up in my mama circles. Take what is here for you, and leave what isn't - and feel free to do your own further deep dives and let us know what you find <3
Astrology
I don’t use astrology to predict the future or define who I am. I see it as a symbolic language that reflects God’s cycles, rhythms, and seasons. I approach astrology as a tool to guide me in noticing patterns that are orchestrated over time by God—not a deterministic system or a way to predict the future.
By studying my own birth chart, the charts of the people in my home, and the current astrology—and then taking time to reflect on how it all weaves together—I often find clarity around things that might otherwise feel confusing or frustrating. A simple example: my moon is in Virgo. Every sign has its layers, but Virgo energy carries a subtle thread of perfectionism. So when the moon moves through Virgo—especially during a full or new moon—I know it may highlight the places where I’m still wrestling with that tendency. Instead of getting tangled up in it, I take it as an invitation to stay open, listen, and learn.
These patterns reveal the energy we were born into and the energy we’re navigating today—and I’m convinced neither one is random. Scripture tells us that the heavens declare God’s glory (Psalm 19:1-4), and in Genesis, God says the stars are for signs (oth—markers, messages) and seasons (moedim—appointed times, rhythms). In Job, God names the constellations, including Mazzaroth, which many scholars believe refers to the zodiac, and He emphasizes that He governs its movement. That alone tells me these rhythms hold significance to Him. If you’re curious to dive deeper, there are some wonderful resources that explore astrology from a Christian perspective. Jesus Enthroned on the Zodiac offers a beautiful biblical explanation, while The Gospel in the Stars shows how the constellations can act as a symbolic “heavenly scripture,” pointing to God’s purposes. Is There a Christian Zodiac?, emphasizes that the stars were created as signs and seasons and should not be used to control our lives.
Earlier this month, I found myself in a conversation with a group of moms about how turbulent life feels right now. I acknowledged that the current astrology reflects this turbulence, and that the coming cycles don’t suggest things will lighten significantly anytime soon. One mom asked if we could “draw a line in the sand” and refuse the astrology, thinking that ignoring it might make life feel easier. I completely understand that instinct—it can feel heavy to notice these patterns. Astrology can be used a bit like studying the weather: it doesn’t change the storms, but it helps us understand the patterns and prepare ourselves. Observing the cycles helps us stay grounded, reflect on patterns, and respond with intention, rather than reacting. In this way it’s a tool for awareness, reflection, and guidance - because at the end of the day, just as we can't control the weather, we also can't control much about what happens in life, only how we respond.
Tarot and Oracle Cards
I use several types of decks, but again not to predict the future or call on any metaphysical power. They are tools to reflect on what Spirit is already laying on my heart and what’s happening in life. Before pulling a card, I ask Spirit to reveal the highest and best mirror for me to notice and focus on.
The Bible offers many examples of God communicating symbolically—through casting lots (Joshua 18; Acts 1:23) or dreams (Genesis 40; Daniel 2). Like these messages, working with cards is about prayerful reflection and noticing what arises, not taking the card literally.
In my mama circles, I bring a neutral Oracle deck focused on animal and plant wisdom, and pulling a card is always optional. Last January, for example, I pulled the Devotion/Sheep card. It immediately felt divine, echoing my potential “word of the year,” and reminded me to stay gentle and faithful in caring for myself and others during a busy season. Hearing the other moms’ reflections showed me how God’s guidance can appear even through a neutral, nature-focused image.
Crystals and Sage
Crystals are another tool I bring to my circles—not to do magic, but to help us notice what God is showing or teaching us. Just as prophets and priests in Scripture used sacred objects to discern His guidance, these stones invite us to pause and pay attention. Sage, palo santo, and other incense work the same way: they don’t cleanse on their own, but they set a tone of calm, peace, and sacred presence, echoing the ways Scripture describes incense and oils at the altar (Exodus 30).
Before each circle, I follow my intuition to choose which crystals to place in the center, creating a quiet, intentional space. They don’t hold power themselves, but they help reveal what each of us might need to notice or focus on. Paired with the gentle smoke of sage or palo santo, the space feels alive with Spirit, calm, and ready for reflection.
Why does this all matter to me?
My family is in a season of full-ness—several businesses, a toddler, homeschooling, homesteading, and deep community involvement. I pray daily over how it all fits together and whether I’ve taken on too much, and God continues to affirm that this path, with all its moving pieces, is meant for us. Hosting our co-op on our property naturally placed me in a more leadership-heavy role, and I’m learning how to dance with that, too—holding boundaries, caring for my family, and staying grounded along the way.
My heart is to show up in each of these roles with love, grace, curiosity, and gratitude. I’m far from perfect, but these are qualities I intentionally cultivate through self-care, spiritual practice, and meditation. These are just some of the practices that keep me nourished and steady so I can serve others well. And I can always tell when I’ve skipped them—they’re like water for my soul.
Creating Inclusive, Welcoming Spaces
I care deeply about making every space I create—Root and Rise, mama circles, coaching programs, and community events—truly welcoming for everyone.
In my circles, I offer spiritual and self-care tools, including some of what I’ve shared above, along with practices like breathwork for nervous system regulation. But everything is always optional—cards, smudging, or any other practice I introduce is simply an invitation. Together, we move, breathe, visualize, journal, and share in conversation. We may explore astrology or I might offer an interpretation, but everyone is encouraged to pray to God if they feel moved to, and bring whatever feels meaningful to them personally.
Over time, I’ve refined this approach to create spaces that feel safe, grounded, and open—and the feedback I hear most often is that people feel seen, supported, and free to connect in their own way.
Staying Open and Curious
At the end of the day, we’re all walking our own spiritual paths, each of us listening for God in the ways we’re wired to. What matters most to me is that we stay open, curious, and kind with one another as we explore. The conversation sparked by my friend's questions reminded me how many of us carry similar inquiry—which is why I wanted to share it here.
If you feel the pull, our next mama circle is slotted to gather one month from today on January 10, where we’ll be setting intentions for the year ahead. You’re welcome in that space, just as you are. If you already know you don't want to miss it, head here to learn more and register and save with code SPIRIT when you sign up before 12/24.
As we move through this season of lights, quiet moments, and holy invitation, I hope you find small pockets of sacred noticing—a breath, a cozy beverage, an embrace from a loved one, a whisper from God meant just for you. Everything I’ve shared here is simply an invitation to slow down and listen. May we all move through this season with open hearts, grounded spirits, and a willingness to find presence and connection.