The Witch Next Door: Q&A with Lisa Clark by Allison Bothley

Forget the Hollywood trope of a witch in a pointy hat, stirring potions in a cauldron. Lisa Clark is much more likely to be spotted at school drop-off with a coffee in one hand and a to-do list in the other. She’s a modern-day celestial witch, balancing motherhood, career—and the occasional spell—with effortless charm. As one of the friendly faces behind Healing Moon, Orangeville, Ontario’s go-to metaphysical shop, Lisa offers tarot readings, astrology insights, and spiritual guidance through her business, Rooted By Moonlight. Her mission? To strip away the smoke and mirrors that often surround witchcraft and astrology, showing how ancient wisdom can find a place in today’s fast-paced world. 

Last year, I met Lisa for a mini reading (my first ever) and her accuracy was surprising. As a child of the '80s and '90s—raised on The Craft (“light as a feather, stiff as a board”)—I’ve always wanted to believe in magic, despite my skepticism. But Lisa’s insights left me questioning just how much we truly understand about the forces shaping our lives.

Curious to dive deeper, I sat down with Lisa to talk about her journey, how she balances the mystical with the mundane, and her advice for those dipping their toes into the world of woo.

Q: How did your spiritual journey begin?

A: I started as a kid, like most 90s children. My friends and I would play in the forest, making magic potions. At that age, you're just connected to Earth energy without really knowing why. 

Q: What do you say to skeptics who challenge you?

A: Healthy skepticism is important. You shouldn’t believe everything without question. A lot of people come into the shop and say, “Well, the rocks are pretty, but do they really work?” And I say, who cares? If holding a purple stone makes you feel less anxious, does it matter why?

Q: What’s a common misconception about witchcraft that frustrates you?

A: The connection to Satan, for sure. It’s so frustrating because the pentacle, for example, is a sacred symbol—even found in Catholic churches! But thanks to the media and the “Satanic Panic” of the 70s, people still associate witchcraft with something dark or evil. 

Q: Are there darker elements in the witchcraft community?

A: I can’t speak for everyone, but from my experience, most people are just living their lives. Sure, some dabble in things I wouldn’t, but that’s not the norm.

Q: What’s a common misconception about witchcraft that frustrates you?

A: The connection to Satan, for sure. It’s so frustrating because the pentacle, for example, is a sacred symbol—even found in Catholic churches! But thanks to the media and the “Satanic Panic” of the 70s, people still associate witchcraft with something dark or evil. 

Q: How do you incorporate witchcraft into your daily life now?

 A: It’s not always a big elaborate thing. I only do a few spells a year—usually when there’s a major astrological event. My daily practice is more like brushing my teeth. I have a close relationship with my tarot deck, so I pull a card in the morning to set the tone for my day. If I get a not-so-great card, like the Tower, I’ll look for signs throughout the day, like animal messengers. It’s just part of my routine.

Q: Do you think social media has a role to play?

A: Absolutely, people are being exposed to witchcraft and spirituality through social media. 

Q: But what are your thoughts on influencers using tarot and astrology? Are they spreading misinformation?

A: It’s a mixed bag, honestly. Some influencers genuinely care about sharing knowledge, while others are just in it for the likes and attention. You really have to sift through the noise. I always say, “Trim your account down.” Follow those who resonate with your beliefs and values, or you risk getting stuck in an echo chamber of bad information. Social media can be a great tool for exploration. Browse online, soak in the information, and then find a community to discuss it with. 

Q: You've been in this community for a long time. How have you seen it evolve?

A: It’s fascinating to see how the global consciousness is shifting. People are starting to feel things they can’t explain, and they’re kind of going backwards—not in a negative way, but returning to more traditional ways of thinking. It’s becoming a lot easier to openly talk about these concepts now.

Q: Speaking of community, you’re connected with Healing Moon. What makes that space special?

A: Healing Moon is incredible! The women there have built something truly special. They genuinely care about the community, and so much of the store’s proceeds go to local charities, like Cats Anonymous and the food bank. We’re constantly brainstorming ways to help the community.

Q: Looking back, is there anything you wish you'd known when you first started your practice?

A: I wish I had realized that there are no rules. Don’t let anyone tell you there’s one right way to do witchcraft. I was so hesitant to experiment because I was scared of getting something wrong—like using the wrong ingredient or doing a spell on the wrong date. But now I know, you’re not going to mess things up. There’s no one way to do it. Be brave, try things out, and don’t be afraid to seek out community.

ESSENTIAL RESOURCES

Tristan @shophelloskywalker

Healing Moon @healingmoon_on_mill

Rooted By Moonlight @rootedbymoonlight

Raven Heart Healing @ravenhearthealing

Jenn Crole Psychic Starlite @jenncrole_psychicstarlite

Elaine O’Sullivan  @anamcararising 

People to follow

Elliot Adam @elliotoracle (Tarot Reader and my personal favourite)

Molly Donlan @m0dizzl3 (Mundane Magic, she’s amazing)

Witchy Tips @witchytips (exactly as it reads, and it’s a great resource)

Chris Corsini @chriscorsini (Astrologer/Tarot reader and always accurate, uses ASL for all videos)

Books

Astrology: Using The Wisdom of the Stars in Your Everyday Life by Carole Taylor

Witch by Lisa Lister

Fearless Tarot by Dr Elliot Adam

Will You Give Me a Reading? by Jenna Matlin

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Lisa is a celestial witch, astrologer, tarot reader and artist. She’s a Capricorn Sun, Gemini Moon, Virgo Rising married to a Scorpio Sun, Aquarius Moon, Taurus Rising and mother to a Capricorn Sun, Cancer Moon, Leo Rising.

Celestial Witchcraft is something Lisa has practiced since she was young, using planetary alignment and transits to manifest magic in her life. Astrology is her specialty; she believes there is very little it can’t answer for us. When we understand our natal chart, we get to see the very blueprint that was made for us exclusively when we took our first breath. As we use it in our lives, we can see how the planets affect our day to day and be prepared for major shifts ahead of them. It’s her goal to assist her clients in understanding the traditionally complicated system of Western Astrology in a way they can relate to and grow from in a practical way.

She is an experienced tarot reader believing in the healing power of tarot. Our higher selves are always trying to communicate with us and it’s her honour to sit with her clients and help them find answers to troubling questions or to find a deeper connection to their inner knowing, guiding the way forward to a more aligned, peaceful existence. 

“The universe truly speaks to us. We just have to slow down, look up and remember we are all just stardust” Lisa Clark

Instagram instagram.com/rootedbymoonlight/ 

Facebook facebook.com/rootedbymoonlight

Website rootedbymoonlight.com