Hi all. How was your Samhain? Did you do something to celebrate or was it all about the Halloween? In my household it’s all about Halloween as it’s half term for my two witchlings and I like to spend a week doing fun local activities that celebrate the fun spooky season. I love the way I’m Allowed to be a kid again, I will do some Samhain ritual later on in the year, mid Nov when some say it’s correct. As the seasons shift the days and the sun and moon influences the calendar. This does make sense to me! Plus I can be slow and in the moment with my witchcraft without mum life looming. Today I’ve been feeling defeated with the sourdough woes, I have been attempting to create a sourdough starter for a few weeks now, as I love baking bread for the family and strive to be more consistent and nutritious in my baking. But wow, this thing is super finicky! The first one I made two loves out of, before it got neglected for one day as I was away in London for the podcast awards…then it just never forgave me. Hooch and the like appeared, then it became contaminated after a week or so of me trying to sweet talk it. So that went in the bin and a friend who owns a witchy bread bakery sent me a wet starter in the post, which I’ve been obsessing over all day! Not rising so well, but there are bubbles. I managed to mix a tiny bit of bread, making up A new starter with the left overs in the jar….So we shall see. Meanwhile my yeast bread is rising like a dream and looking most springy. It’s tempting to quit, however I crave to be a sourdough witch! Love and magic Swailes of the Bell Witch podcast