This edition of The Temple’s Student Spotlight features Justin Gaudet, a Witchcraft II student in the online Mystery School. Justin’s Mentor Steve Kenson said in his nomination, “Justin is a great example of what I hope will be the next generation of the Temple’s priesthood. He is a talented psychic, works his Craft with passion, and is willing to try new things, hungry for new learning and experiences, and he demonstrates that he understands the ideas of personal sovereignty and responsibility that we value, eschewing in-fighting and politics in favor of doing the work.”
Congratulations, Justin! Thanks for sharing your story with us.
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Justin, and I’m from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. I have, for as long as I can remember, been psychically sensitive. I remember as a child seeing auras and hearing and seeing spirits. I have always felt attuned to nature and enjoyed playing with the many spirits and energies in the woods growing up. My personal journey in Witchcraft began when I was 12 years old, I was looking for a particular book in the book store on psychic development and couldn’t find it, so as I was almost ready to leave the store, I noticed out of the corner of my eye a white aura around a book about Witchcraft. I picked it up and started reading, and it felt so right. I felt home. Things I was doing already like creating circles of energy and just sitting in the woods listening to the trees talk to me. I then started researching spells and magick, psychic development, and meditation. I was hooked! I devoured every book I could find. After about 10 years of self study I found Christopher Penczak’s Temple of Witchcraft series. I felt a connection to Christopher and his work. At the time I was in University studying music; I was also gay, and a practicing Witch. Soon after finding his work I heard about the Temple of Witchcraft as a tradition and filled out the application to start classes. The gods have a funny way of working and the synchronicities started piling up, and I was starting my journey into my First Degree of the Temple of Witchcraft.
What class are you currently taking with the Temple? Can you tell us about the experience?
Currently, I am in Witchcraft II. I love it! I am learning and relearning so much. I feel that now having a teacher and mentor to share my experiences and thoughts with has aided me to go deeper into the Mysteries and studies of Witchcraft. I have a different perspective, and with my mentor Steve, to push me further and give me a new way of looking at things, I am becoming a better practiced and disciplined Witch.
What drew you to the Temple’s mystery school?
After reading through the first three books of the Temple of Witchcraft series, I came across Christopher’s personal website which had a link to the Temple’s website and said he was offering online classes. I had done research into many different traditions of Witchcraft and Wicca and none really resonated with me, and as I read more into the TOW, I found that my values meshed well with what the Temple was teaching and I really fell in love with Christopher’s books, so it seemed like a natural progression for me. I felt I got something more, something “hidden,” that no other tradition offered; I really felt I was partnering with the Divine and co-creating my reality and not just worshiping at the feet of some nebulous gods that I couldn’t really get a grasp on. It brought my own psychic experiences to the forefront, and I love that the Temple teaches the psychic arts before getting into spells and rituals. I am so blessed to be a part of this tradition.
How do you use what you’ve learned in your daily life?
Meditation is a major focus in my daily practice, as well as daily devotionals, regular rituals and psychic work. I really feel that since I have began my studies with the TOW, my practice has turned into a way of life, a way of being. My spiritual life and my mundane life are totally and completely entwined. From using Instant Magick to help me catch a bus to always stirring a pot clockwise and other kitchen witchery. My life is enriched daily by my practices and experiences as a Witch, and I owe a great deal to Christopher and the Temple.
What’s next for you as a student/member of the Temple?
Well, I finish my second degree in February and start Witchcraft III in April. I hope to be a mentor to a Witchcraft I student if I am so lucky. I am really looking forward to the Shamanic Temple of Witchcraft training and delving deeper into spirit work to further develop myself as a Psychic Medium. I also have a few friends and covenmates who are starting Witchcraft I in April, and I look forward to watching them progress and find the joy and love that the Temple offers. As for long-term goals, I hope to one day have a chapter of the Temple here in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. There is a real sense of community within the Temple, and I would love to be able to offer that to the Pagan community here in the Maritimes. But for now, I will continue with my training and do that best I can to learn as much as I can.
Blessed be!