Nurting your home “THe house witch” by arin murphy-hiscock
April 4, 2025
As we begin this spiritual book club journey, I feel so much warmth in the idea of starting with a book that’s all about the heart of our lives – our homes. "The House Witch" by Arin Murphy-Hiscock is a beautiful exploration of how we can infuse our living spaces with energy, love, and intention, so they become nourishing sanctuaries for our souls.
To me, our home is more than just four walls – it’s the grounding force that holds us steady. It’s the place where we can truly be ourselves, where we find refuge after a long day, and where we return to recharge. It’s our safe haven. And what I love most about this book is the invitation it offers to connect with our home in a deeper, more meaningful way. It encourages us to see our homes not as static spaces, but as living entities that can grow and evolve alongside us. By co-creating with our environment, we allow our homes to truly serve and support us in the best possible way.
A few key concepts from the book that really resonated with me:
The Hearth – This sacred space is the energetic heart of the home. While we might traditionally think of a fireplace, which is a typical hearth, the hearth is really any area in your home that feels warm, comforting, and protective. It’s a space where energy flows freely, providing balance and stability. It can be the living space where everyone gathers or a center table where there is a lot of focus and energy.
The Kitchen – The kitchen is not just a place for cooking; it’s a place of transformation and magic. It’s where raw ingredients are transformed into nourishing meals that feed both the body and soul. The book highlights how cooking can be a deeply intimate, creative process – a ritual of love and care. In today’s world, we often see cooking as a chore, something to rush through or outsource. But when we infuse the act of cooking with presence, love, and intention, it becomes a beautiful expression of self-care and a way to connect with our loved ones.
The Altar/Shrine – A dedicated space for honoring loved ones or spiritual figures. Whether it’s a candle, photos of loved ones, or any object that carries meaning such as family heirlooms, the altar/shrine is a place for reflection, gratitude, and connection. It’s a nurturing space to feed our spirits and feel connected to our heritage and traditions.
Magic in Everyday Objects – The book encourages us to bring intention to the objects we use in our homes, especially in the kitchen. I felt particularly inspired to let go of plastic items in my kitchen and invest in beautiful, high-quality materials. The book described energetic properties of various metals used in kitchenware. Copper, with its healing and balancing properties, immediately resonated with me and I am looking forward to replacing some of my kitchen objects with copper varieties. Surrounding ourselves with things we truly love can elevate the everyday and make our spaces more joyful.
Protection – I loved this section, which delves into setting up energetic boundaries and protecting our homes on a spiritual level. While the four corners of our home can protect us on a physical level, it can also protect us energetically with the right intention. Common practices include smudging various herbal plants (sage), purification practices using salt, and preparing various blessing and purification oils.
In every page, "The House Witch" invites us to remember that our homes are not just places where we sleep and eat – they are living, breathing entities that can reflect our truest selves. By tending to them with love and care, we invite more peace, intention, and nourishment into our lives.
Reflection/Journaling Questions:
How do you want to feel in your home—and what small shifts could help cultivate that feeling?
Are there areas or corners in your home that feel energetically “off” or neglected? What small changes could shift the energy there?
What is your current relationship with cooking? How might you bring more intention, love, or ritual into preparing your meals?
How has your home evolved as you have evolved? What does your current space say about who you are today?
