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We’re excited to tell you about an offering from The Sovereign Phoenix nonprofit. We talked with President and Founder Sunshine Witchski about the free Sober Witch Recovery Circle, which meets online twice weekly, to support people who don’t vibe with typical recovery programs. Our kind of people. The witches and weirdos! Read our interview with Sunshine interview below to learn all about this important work, and how you can get involved:

The Witch’s Recovery Circle has been around for a little over a year and a half now, and it started pretty simple. In the beginning, we were just meeting on Monday evenings at 7 PM Eastern with a small group of about three to five people. I even remember one of two nights where it was just my partner and I. It took about three months till we had folks joining us consistently.

Over time, it naturally grew to what we have now. Today, we still meet Mondays at 7 PM, but we’ve also added a second circle on Fridays at noon Eastern. Depending on the day, we typically have anywhere from 10 to 25 people joining us, which has been really beautiful to witness.

The circle itself is always offered virtually and lasts about an hour. We always start with connection and celebration, giving people a chance to share something meaningful going on in their lives or just check in with where they are emotionally. From there, we talk about a tarot card that has been pulled and explore how it relates to recovery, looking at both the light and shadow aspects so people can reflect on how those energies are showing up for them.

After that, we move into journaling. I usually offer a few prompts, and people are always free to write whatever they need or even just sit and think. Then we come back together and share, if people feel comfortable doing so. We close every circle the same way, by opening space for magical support through intentions, prayers, or well wishes, and then grounding everything with a closing ceremony.

There are folks that have been joining us for well over a year at this point because of the insights that the circle has helped them discover.

What Inspired This Work?

I’ve been a witch in recovery for about six and a half years, and for a long time I felt stable in my recovery, but I also felt like I was being called to something more. At first, I thought that meant stepping fully into psychic work and helping people develop their intuitive gifts.

When I left corporate in the spring of 2024, though, things became very clear. I had a moment where Spirit spoke to me and let me know that my purpose was to support witches in recovery. It wasn’t subtle, and it wasn’t confusing. It was direct.

Within a few months, the Witch’s Recovery Circle was created. Since then, the work has expanded into what we now call the Recovery Coven. In addition to the circle, we offer other gatherings throughout the month where we strengthen psychic abilities, practice spellwork that supports recovery, and host workshops like Creative Alchemy for Recovery. It’s grown into something much bigger than I originally imagined, but it still holds that same core intention.

How does Sobriety merge with Witchcraft?

I’ve identified as a witch since I was 16, so for about 30 years now. For most of that time, I was also dealing with addiction. Even though I practiced, my spirituality wasn’t something I lived in every day. It was something I turned to when I needed it, which I now think of as reactive witchcraft.

When I committed to recovery after relapsing in 2019, I started going to AA and really paying attention to the people who had long-term sobriety. What I noticed pretty quickly was that they all had some kind of consistent spiritual practice.

That made me stop and ask myself what mine actually was. The answer was obvious, but I hadn’t been fully living it. Once I realized that my path was witchcraft, I started asking how I could bring that into my everyday life instead of just using it when things went wrong.

I began pulling tarot cards daily, reading more, and paying attention to how magic shows up in ordinary moments. That shift changed everything. My sobriety isn’t separate from my spirituality. It’s deeply supported by it, and fully embracing my identity as a witch is a huge part of why I’ve been able to stay sober.

What is the Mission of the Nonprofit?

The nonprofit’s primary goal is to support people who identify as witches and are navigating recovery. That can look like recovery from substance use, disordered eating, trauma, or even patterns like self-abandonment.

At the same time, there’s a bigger mission behind it. Part of this work is helping shift how people understand witchcraft. It’s not something to fear or dismiss. It’s something that exists all around us in different forms, and for many people, it’s a deeply meaningful spiritual path.

I also care a lot about building something that lasts. This isn’t just about me or what I’m doing right now. The goal is to create something sustainable that can continue supporting people long after I’m gone.

Who Attends the Circle?

The circle is open to people of all genders and identities who feel called to both recovery and the path of the witch. While it’s true that many participants identify as women, we also have men and nonbinary individuals in the space.

People come in at all different stages of their journey. Some are just a few days into recovery, while others have years behind them. Addiction shows up in different ways too, including alcohol, drugs, and food, and a lot of people are also working through trauma and codependency.

What really connects everyone is that they’ve reached a point where they don’t want to keep living the way they were before. They want something different, something more aligned with who they actually are. I’ve found that almost everyone who joins is kind, compassionate, and often a little shy at first, but there’s a shared desire to heal and to do that through their own magick.

Tell us about Additional Offerings and Community Structure

Beyond the weekly circles, the Recovery Coven offers a variety of other gatherings and opportunities for deeper involvement. We’ve structured this as a religious nonprofit, which was a very intentional decision.

At a certain point, I realized that if something ever threatened my ability to practice witchcraft, it would also threaten my recovery. That made it really important to create a protected space where people could engage in this spiritual path freely, especially within the context of healing.

Within the coven, people can participate in additional sessions, teachings, and even formal initiation. There’s also a leadership pathway called the Recovery Godwitch path, where individuals can eventually step into leading circles, building their own communities, or offering services in alignment with the mission.

We also host in-person experiences, including Sober Witch Camp in the fall and a retreat in New Orleans in the spring. Each offers a different kind of experience, but both are rooted in connection, recovery, and spiritual practice.

Do you have Guidance for Sober Witches Seeking Community?

For witches who feel left out of the social scene because of sobriety, the biggest thing I can say is to keep trying. There are more of us out there than it might seem at first.

It can really help to look for spaces that are already aligned with healing, like meditation groups, yoga classes, or nature-based gatherings. Those environments tend to attract people who are more open and more aligned with this kind of path.

There are also newer tools and apps that focus specifically on sober connection, which can make it easier to find others. And of course, virtual spaces like this one exist for a reason. A lot of people are surprised to realize that once they start showing up consistently, they begin to find others who are closer to them than they expected.

Is the Circle Only for Those in Addiction Recovery?

The circle is open to anyone who considers themselves to be in recovery in a broader sense. Recovery doesn’t have to mean substance use. It can also mean healing from relationships, grief, trauma, or patterns like self-abandonment.

In my experience, almost everyone is recovering from something. The circle is also open to people who are connected to addiction in other ways, like partners or family members.

At the end of the day, this is a space for people who are trying to live more intentionally, reconnect with themselves, and create a life that actually feels aligned with who they are.

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So y’all feel free to join their community and tell ’em we sent ya! We hope you’ll help spread the word to anyone you know who may benefit from the Recovery Coven. Because who among us hasn’t been touched by addiction, grief, and trauma?

Hear ye, hear ye! 

Join us for a whimsical, family-friendly Faire filled with:

 Family & dog friendly (Little fae 12 & under enter free!)
 Costumes highly encouraged for kids, dogs, and grown folk alike!

Whether you come as a wandering fae, a noble knight, or simply curious at heart, there’s something here for every member of your clan.

 May 17th
 Talon Winery | Lexington, KY

Come dressed, come curious, and step into the magic of Wildwood Faire. 

Please feel free to share the Facebook event to help us spread the word!

Hey friends, Breanna Kinman here. As massage therapists, we hear from people who want massage all the time, but say they’re too self-conscious. Here’s my rebuttal to the most common body anxieties:

I have stretch marks/ scars/ acne/ body hair /ugly feet

So does everyone. No, really. It’s honestly so unusual to work on someone who doesn’t have any of these perceived “flaws” that I’m more surprised to see someone who doesn’t. To your massage therapist, these don’t register as flaws- it’s just what you look like. We don’t have the emotional energy to judge everyone for having scars or hairy backs or weird feet. We’ve got other, more important things to think about- for instance, solving the puzzle that is your body. And to everyone who is worried about their feet specifically: all feet are weird. Dust the sock lint off your toes and chill. 

I’m too fat

You’re probably not. My table has a weight limit of 500lbs, and while some people may surpass that, most will not. Body fat is usually soft and easy to work through. Weight problems used to be seen as a sign of laziness or overindulgence, but we know now that most weight gain is caused by hormonal imbalances, thyroid disorders, incorrect nutritional education, depression, stress, or just gosh darn genetics. None of these things are reasons you can’t enjoy a massage. Massage can actually aid in weight loss, if that’s your goal, as it boosts happy hormones, reduces stress, and helps reconnect people with their bodies. And, as stated earlier, we don’t have the energy or inclination to be judging people. 

I have acne on my body and it’s embarrassing

So do most people. Even many of my clients with no facial acne have acne on their backs, and some people have a bit of acne all over. You’re probably in the minority if you don’t have some acne on your booty. If you tend to have cystic acne (large, painful blemishes) you may want to wait until it calms down to get a massage, or tell your therapist where the more painful bumps are so they can avoid them. 

I have hair growing out of my hair follicles

That is quite a shame. Just kidding, we’re mammals! I only notice that my clients have stubble after they apologize for it, which boggles my mind a little. Your hairs are your hairs- shave them, wax them, grow them out, braid them- it’s up to you and there is no need to explain yourself. Yes, even if you’re unusually hairy, even if you have dark hair, blah blah blah. Commercials for razors and Nair may say otherwise, but you’re a valid human no matter what.

I can’t be naked in front of someone, even if I’m under a sheet

Some of my clients leave their underwear on during massages while other clients remove them. Some people are uncomfortable or modest and prefer to wear some clothing. If this has been keeping you away, you can always change into a comfy, easy to work around outfit, like gym shorts and a tank top. I have had plenty of clients who have a certain outfit they liked to wear to feel comfortable. And don’t worry, we would never have you lying totally naked. You’ll be covered completely by a sheet, undraped only in the area being worked on. I would never want you to feel uncomfortable during your massage, so whatever level of disrobing is comfy for you in fine with me.

I don’t like being touched

This can be a problem, but it’s actually easier to work around than you might think. Some people are more uncomfortable with unannounced touch, such as random hugs from coworkers, and have an easier time with massage because it’s planned and on straightforward terms. Some people never really get comfy with touch, but need bodywork to feel better and undo the physical stress of their jobs. For these clients, I am happy to offer half hour sessions, working only on the area that needs it the most. You may become more comfortable as time goes on, or you might be happiest with shorter, targeted massages. 

I have a rare skin problem or health problem

This requires a little thought, as some health problems will not be helped by massage. If your doctor says you aren’t contagious and that massage is safe for you, just explain any issues to your massage therapist, such as if you need lighter pressure or certain areas avoided. Kentucky licensed massage therapist have studied pathology and are prepared to work with a number of health concerns. If you struggle with something uncommon, we may not know all about it, but we’re equipped to learn.

I don’t know what I’m supposed to talk about/ I’m uncomfortable with silence

We take our cues from you, so if you want to zone out and be quiet, that is totally fine, and if you need to vent about your day to decompress, thats fine too. Probably about half of my clients like to talk and half doze off, while other clients are chatty one session and quiet the next. It’s your time, so you can decide if you want to talk or not. 

So to sum things up- If you are feeling uncomfortable in your body for any reason, take that as a reason to get a massage, not to avoid it. If you’ve struggled with feelings of shame about your body, massage can be a great way to reconnect and see your body for what it is: your oldest and most important friend.