Village

Witch A solo journaling game

about a witch finding a home
by Eliot Silvarian
Table of Contents
Introduction 2
Setup & Gameplay 3
Two-Player Option 4
Locations 5
Spring 6
Summer 7
Autumn 8
Winter 9
Ending 10
Standard Card Table 11
Tarot Card Table 16
Back Page 24

1
Introduction

You’ve completed your training and are ready to become a village witch. You’ve been sent by
the order to find a village to work in and have a year to find the place you want to make your
life.

You have a list of villages that requested a witch, and may now set out to find your new
home. Many villages keep a spot set aside for a witch or healer, which will become your
home as long as you stay. To play, you need one 6-sided die, a standard deck of cards or a
deck of tarot cards, and a way to record your story.

With tarot, the Minor Arcana suits mostly correspond to the standard card suits, with the
exception of the page cards, which count as wild cards. The Major Arcana cards are more
personal prompts than the rest, exploring your character’s feelings, life, and motivations,
and based on the meanings for those cards in tarot. If you’d rather not delve into the deeper
questions and prompts, you can remove the Major Arcana and just use the Minor Arcana,
or skip any you don’t want to do. If you don’t own tarot cards or just prefer standard cards,
feel free to occasionally choose prompts from the Major Arcana list to incorporate into your
story. Note: The numbers for Strength and Justice are switched in some decks. Go off the
name of the card rather than the number in that case.
2
Setup

Answer as many of the following questions as you wish to create your character and world.

What is your name? What gender are you? What sort of abilities do you have? Do you prefer
being a solitary witch or having a nearby coven? What sort of broom do you have? What is
your favorite season? What are you leaving behind? What do you desire most? What sort of
setting is your world? Modern? Historical? Fantasy?

Gameplay

At the beginning of each season, set your house in order and prepare for the change. Then
draw cards and use the prompts from the card tables to craft your story until you feel it’s
time for a new season. You may go until you run out of cards before shuffling them or
shuffle the cards at the end of each season.

As each season draws to an end, contemplate if it’s time to move on, if you wish to stay
another season, or if you want to settle in and make this your home. If you move on, choose
a new location. If you stay, keep drawing cards until the end of that season, then evaluate
again. Do this until you reach the end of winter, then follow the ending.
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Two Player Option

If you would like to play with a friend, you can play as a letter writing game. Your
characters went through training at the same time, whether apart or together, and now
you're each going through your year to find a village home. Discuss your characters and
their history, then write each other letters in character as you go through the game, either
throughout the seasons or as each season draws to a close. Decide together how you want
your characters to send the letters within the game, perhaps through spell work crafted to
deliver the letter where you intend, or through enchanted mailboxes that instantly deliver
letters back and forth.

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Locations

Come back to this page each time you need to choose a new location. Roll a 6-sided die or
pick your own option, answer as many of the following questions as you would like, then
proceed to the appropriate season.

1. Desert
2. Forest
3. Grassland
4. Mountains
5. Seashore
6. Swamp

If you’re leaving one village to find another, what leads to your decision? Who will you
miss? What is your new house like? House on stilts, cottage, stone house, built into a cave,
something else entirely? Is it in the village, on the outskirts, or a long walk away? Do you
have a garden? What is something unique about your house? Is it haunted or is there an
animal friend that comes to visit? What is your initial impression of the village? Who do
you meet first?

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Spring

Spring is in the air. The winds of winter are fading and the birds and plants speak of new
life on the way. You set out to your first village and are led to your new house.

After walking through the house and taking in your surroundings, you perform a dwelling
ritual. You pick up your broom and sweep through the house, cleansing each room as you
infuse the home with your blessings.

You put away your belongings, making the space your own for now. What items are most
important to you? What is a token you always carry with you? What do you place on your
altar?

Once your house is in order, begin drawing cards as you go through spring in the village,
then continue on when you feel the season is ending.

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Summer

The warmer winds of summer swirl around you, embracing the world so full of life that was
nurtured through spring. The sun kisses the earth as barefooted children delight in
running through the warm dirt.

How do you prepare your home for summer? What do you enjoy about summer? What is
something you’ve learned since you started your journey?

Return to the card page and continue crafting your story, then move on to autumn.

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Autumn

The air turns crisp and there’s a shift in the world around you as life prepares for the
changes on the way. Leaves drift through the air and crops grow ready for harvest.

How do you feel about the shifting seasons? How do you enjoy the changes of autumn?
How do you set up your altar?

Continue drawing cards as you work your way through autumn until the chill of winter sets
in and you’re ready for the last season.

8
Winter

There’s an occasional bite in the air as the seasons change yet again, autumn giving way as
much of the world begins to sleep for the winter.

What candles do you light in the dark of winter evenings? What drinks keep you warm on a
cold night? What do you enjoy about winter?

Draw cards until you feel your year has come to an end, then move on to the ending.

9
Ending

It’s been a whole year since you started your journey. It’s time to settle in and make a place
your home.

Where do you settle? What have you learned over the year? What do you miss? What makes
you excited about the future? Have you found what you desired?

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Standard Card Table

Around the Village

Hearts
A. You find an injured animal and take care of it.
2. You somehow get injured. What happened and how do you respond?
3. You find a letter while out exploring. What is it about?
4. You get caught in a storm.
5. Find a berry or herb patch.
6. You find a nearby cave. What do you find inside?
7. You meet a wanderer. Are they lost? Dangerous?
8. You save someone. Who and from what?
9. You find an item someone lost. What is it? Do you return it to them?
10. It’s a holiday. What sort?
J. You need help from someone else. What do you need and who do you go to?
Q. You join someone for dinner. Who is it? Do you enjoy the time?
K. You find a new favorite place.

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Diamonds
A. Someone gives you a gift. Who is it and what do they gift you?
2. You need a new item of clothing. What do you get and where do you get it?
3. Someone tells you their house is being haunted and asks you to help.
4. It’s a festival day in the village. What sort of festival is it? What is your involvement?
5. You visit the village bakery. What is your favorite food there?
6. Tragedy strikes the village.
7. The village gathers to help a member of the community.
8. Someone new arrives in the village. Who are they and why are they here? Are they a
welcome addition or are you suspicious of them?
9. Take a walk around the outskirts of the village, circling the community with protective
rituals and blessings.
10. You walk through some of the village shops. Which is your favorite and why?
J. A local shopkeeper asks you to cleanse and bless their shop.
Q. You buy a drink at a village shop. What sort of drink is it?
K. You take a night walk around the village and surrounding area. What do you see at night
that you haven’t noticed before?

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Around the Home

Clubs
A. Someone comes to you for physical healing.
2. Enjoy one of your favorite foods. What is it? Do you prepare it yourself or did someone
else make it?
3. You try some sewing or needlework, weaving blessings into your work. How does it go?
4. You take a relaxing self care evening. What does this look like for you?
5. Write a letter. Who is it for and what do you want to tell them?
6. You discover a new ability. What is it and how do you discover it?
7. You’re preparing food and someone stops by. You invite them to stay and eat. Who is it
and what do you eat?
8. Someone visits for tea. Who is it and what do you talk about? What tea and snacks do you
have?
9. You spend some time strengthening your abilities. What are your strengths? What areas
do you want to improve?
J. You recall a memory. What brought it to mind?
10. Someone comes for help on something you won’t do.
Q. An animal is outside your door. What is it and how do you respond?
K. You find something left by a previous occupant. What is it and what do you do with it?
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Spades
A. You mix up a blend of herbs and bless it for someone in need.
2. You spend a day tidying up your home and going through your belongings. What is
something that means a lot to you?
3. Someone comes to you in need of counsel.
4. You find something, whether your own or left behind by another, that stirs up memory
and nostalgia. What is it and what does it remind you of?
5. You perform a ritual. What is the purpose of it?
6. While walking outside near your house, you find a crystal in the ground, dropped by a
previous occupant. You clean it up and cleanse its energy. What does it look like? Do you
incorporate it into your own practice or give it to someone else?
7. A child visits to tell you about an exciting discovery.
8. You craft a spell bottle using ingredients local to the village as well as items you already
have to fit the purpose. What do you include and what is the intention for the spell?
9. You set out an offering for nearby spirits. Who are they and what do you offer them?
10. You take a spell bath, using herbs, crystals, and maybe even some fruit to prepare the
water. What comfort or healing do you hope to receive from the ritual?

14
J. You make a soup to take to someone who is ill, filling it with herbs and blessings for
healing and comfort.
Q. Memory and nostalgia wrap around you and you find yourself lost in the past. What is
something you miss?
K. You spend some time working on your records, whether a journal or a Book of Shadows
or a recipe book. What is your favorite way to record things?

Jokers: Wild card. Choose any prompt.

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Tarot Card Table

The Major Arcana

0. The Fool. You reflect back on a bad decision you made that changed your life. What was
it and how did it change your life, both for bad and for good?
1. The Magician. What is one way you’ve changed over the course of your training and
setting out on your own? What is a goal you have for your future?
2. The High Priestess. You take a day of solitude, stillness, and self reflection. Care for
yourself as you reflect on your life.
3. The Empress. Choose a villager you would like to connect with and invite them over.
How do you prepare? What do you discuss? After the visit, how do you feel about the
connection?
4. The Emperor. You learn a new perspective from someone in the village, a new way of
thinking about things or a better understanding of someone else’s viewpoint or actions.
What new wisdom have you gained?
5. The Hierophant. You meet with one of the village leaders and learn more about the
village and its history and people. What is something you appreciate about the community?
Do they have any traditions or belief systems you like? Is there anything you have
reservations about?

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6. The Lovers. Conflict arises between you and one of the villagers. Is it something that can
be worked out or a relationship you need to avoid?
7. The Chariot. You find yourself in a situation where you need to take charge and lead.
How do you feel about that? Is leading easy or difficult for you?
8. Strength. You work through a situation that at one point would have overwhelmed you,
and find yourself pleased with the growth and strength you see in how you handled it.
What change do you see in yourself?
9. The Hermit. A storm rages outside and you are alone in your house for the day. Do you
enjoy the solitude or do you feel loneliness in the isolation?
10. Wheel of Fortune. The village is affected by a major change. What is it and what are
some of the effects of what happens?
11. Justice. You find relief from a situation where you have been treated badly, whether
recently or in the past.
12. The Hanged Man. You realize it’s time to make a sacrifice or let go of something to move
forward. What do you sacrifice and for what reason?
13. Death. You suffer a loss, whether in the village or something or someone from your
past. What is it and how do you grieve?
14. Temperance. You have been asked to help mediate a problem in the village and bring
clarity to those involved. How do you help bring peace and balance to the situation?

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15. The Devil. You wake from a nightmare, and a sense of foreboding hangs over you for the
day. What troubles you?
16. The Tower. Something happens to challenge one of your beliefs or preconceptions,
whether about yourself, other people, or the world at large. What new realization have you
reached and how does it affect you?
17. The Star. You perform a ritual for personal healing, cleansing, and inspiration, giving
yourself a hopeful feeling toward life. What are you optimistic about in the direction you’re
going?
18. The Moon. You wake from a dream that felt prophetic and bring you guidance and
clarity toward the future. Focus on your intuition and feel where it might be leading you.
19. The Sun. You’re celebrating, either something personal or with the village. What is the
celebration for?
20. Judgement. It’s time to make a change in life, whether in your own habits and rituals or
in how you relate to others. What is this change and how is it for the better?
21. The World. You find fulfillment in something you’ve been working toward, perhaps a
new skill, a relationship, or something around the village. What is it and how do you feel
about the accomplishment?

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Around the Village

Cups
A. You find an injured animal and take care of it.
2. You somehow get injured. What happened and how do you respond?
3. You find a letter while out exploring. What is it about?
4. You get caught in a storm.
5. Find a berry or herb patch.
6. You find a nearby cave. What do you find inside?
7. You meet a wanderer. Are they lost? Dangerous?
8. You save someone. Who and from what?
9. You find an item someone lost. What is it? Do you return it to them?
10. It’s a holiday. What sort?
Page. Wild card. Choose any prompt from this suit.
Knight. You need help from someone else. What do you need and who do you go to?
Queen. You join someone for dinner. Who is it? Do you enjoy the time?
King. You find a new favorite place.

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Pentacles or Coins
A. Someone gives you a gift. Who is it and what do they gift you?
2. You need a new item of clothing. What do you get and where do you get it?
3. Someone tells you their house is being haunted and asks you to help.
4. It’s a festival day in the village. What sort of festival is it? What is your involvement?
5. You visit the village bakery. What is your favorite food there?
6. Tragedy strikes the village.
7. The village gathers to help a member of the community.
8. Someone new arrives in the village. Who are they and why are they here? Are they a
welcome addition or are you suspicious of them?
9. Take a walk around the outskirts of the village, circling the community with protective
rituals and blessings.
10. You walk through some of the village shops. Which is your favorite and why?
Page. Wild card. Choose any prompt from this suit.
Knight. A local shopkeeper asks you to cleanse and bless their shop.
Queen. You buy a drink at a village shop. What sort of drink is it?
King. You take a night walk around the village and surrounding area. What do you see at
night that you haven’t noticed before?

20
Around the Home

Wands
A. Someone comes to you for physical healing.
2. Enjoy one of your favorite foods. What is it? Do you prepare it yourself or did someone
else make it?
3. You try some sewing or needlework, weaving blessings into your work. How does it go?
4. You take a relaxing self care evening. What does this look like for you?
5. Write a letter. Who is it for and what do you want to tell them?
6. You discover a new ability. What is it and how do you discover it?
7. You’re preparing food and someone stops by. You invite them to stay and eat. Who is it
and what do you eat?
8. Someone visits for tea. Who is it and what do you talk about? What tea and snacks do you
have?
9. You spend some time strengthening your abilities. What are your strengths? What areas
do you want to improve?
10. Someone comes for help on something you won’t do.
Page. Wild card. Choose any prompt from this suit.
Knight. You recall a memory. What brought it to mind?
Queen. An animal is outside your door. What is it and how do you respond?
King. You find something left by a previous occupant. What is it and what do you do with
it? 21
Swords
A. You mix up a blend of herbs and bless it for someone in need.
2. You spend a day tidying up your home and going through your belongings. What is
something that means a lot to you?
3. Someone comes to you in need of counsel.
4. You find something, whether your own or left behind by another, that stirs up memory
and nostalgia. What is it and what does it remind you of?
5. You perform a ritual. What is the purpose of it?
6. While walking outside near your house, you find a crystal in the ground, dropped by a
previous occupant. You clean it up and cleanse its energy. What does it look like? Do you
incorporate it into your own practice or give it to someone else?
7. A child visits to tell you about an exciting discovery.
8. You craft a spell bottle using ingredients local to the village as well as items you already
have to fit the purpose. What do you include and what is the intention for the spell?
9. You set out an offering for nearby spirits. Who are they and what do you offer them?
10. You take a spell bath, using herbs, crystals, and maybe even some fruit to prepare the
water. What comfort or healing do you hope to receive from the ritual?
Page. Wild card. Choose any prompt from this suit.

22
Knight. You make a soup to take to someone who is ill, filling it with herbs and blessings for
healing and comfort.
Queen. Memory and nostalgia wrap around you and you find yourself lost in the past. What
is something you miss?
King. You spend some time working on your records, whether a journal or a Book of
Shadows or a recipe book. What is your favorite way to record things?

23
Village Witch
Written by Eliot Silvarian

Thank you to all my friends who have supported me. It means the world and has been so
much encouragement to keep at this.

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