Debbie McLeod, a 68-year-old former army recruit, has found a new calling as a midlife mentor, guiding women to rediscover their identities beyond their roles as mothers and wives. After spending years prioritizing her family, Debbie now uses herb spells and nature rituals to help others reconnect with themselves.
From Army to Spiritual Awakening
Debbie served three years in the Women's Royal Army Corps before leaving to raise a family and work for the NHS. Her life took a dramatic turn in 1996 after her father's death, when a weekend retreat exposed her to the spiritual world. Initially expecting a relaxing pampering break, she found herself surrounded by mediums and spiritual teachers, sparking a deep awakening.
This experience revealed an unexpected talent for mediumship, leading to years of live performances. In 2019, Debbie moved into a Somerset woodland cabin to strengthen her bond with nature. During this quiet period, she fully embraced the term 'witch', integrating daily rituals, journaling, and herb-based spells into her routine.
Living in Harmony with Nature
Her four years in the woods encouraged her to dance barefoot and adopt simple, natural living. She now uses cinnamon for wealth, rosemary for protection, and sage for cleansing. 'Spells are all about intention and your growth, healing, love, and spreading light into the world,' she said. 'When I'm doing rituals, lighting a candle, drumming or dancing in a field, that's me – that's who I really am.'
Debbie, a mother of two and grandmother to four, now runs workshops and solstice ceremonies aimed at helping older women feel grounded and empowered. Participants gather around fire pits to sing, drum, and set clear intentions for their future happiness.
Empowering Women Through Rituals
'When I'm doing things relating to being a witch, I'm at peace, full of joy, and simply unmasking myself, and I want others to feel the same,' she explained. 'A lot of women spend years being mothers, wives, daughters, carers and putting everyone else first. We forage and ask the earth if it's okay to do it, attach meaning to everything we collect and weave flowers into witches' crowns, and do all sorts of spells.'
Her gatherings bring local women together to burn away old worries and carve fresh hopes into candles. 'We've done spells for abundance, and held fire pit ceremonies where we chant, write things down and burn them to release them. We go out drumming and singing to connect. We carve intentions into candles and light them.'
Looking ahead, Debbie hopes to remove the stigma surrounding her chosen path. 'I want more women to trust themselves and feel powerful by connecting with their inner witch. It isn't a bad or scary word, it can really help people.'
