Daily Inspiration: Meet Julia Halina Hadas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Halina Hadas. 

Hi Julia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
As far as jewelry and energy work goes, it was actually on a trip to Sedona where my love of crystals and all things-energy-related began! I came across a metaphysical store there and instantly fell in love with stones and the energy they provide. When I got back to the bay, I found some local metaphysical shops and began investigating energy work, such as Reiki. In a desire to wear these beautiful stones for my own personal growth and healing, I researched wire wrapping and that’s how it all began! 

As far as magical mixology and becoming an author goes, in the midst of finishing college, I decided to look into other income streams. I signed up for a random Groupon bartending class, on a whim! With my background in witchcraft at the time, and my experience working with the folkloric meaning and magic of various herbs, I instantly fell in love with the fresh ingredients, liqueurs, bitters, and shrubs of the craft cocktail movement, and the meaning and potential they could have when combined. Being in the SF Bay Area at the time, I grasped on to the rich craft cocktail education around me, and eventually worked at a bar that let me serve astrologically & tarot-inspired cocktail specials. This led me to start my blog WitchCraft Cocktails, which has now blossomed into 2 published books – WitchCraft Cocktails, and Moon, Magic, Mixology! I recently moved from the Bay Area of CA to Tempe, to allow myself more room to grow my brand. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not! Just a few years ago, alternative spirituality and witchcraft was not as accepted as it was today. In everything that I did, I had to maintain a vision for myself, regardless of the chorus of dissenting voices. Energy work, wire wrapping, bartending, and witchcraft were not things people generally approved of (and many still don’t!). I oftentimes let myself get distracted from my own sense, allowing input from others who weren’t exactly experts to lead me astray. Being open-minded and open to input is great! But it is important to decipher where that opinion is coming from – is that person an expert on this issue? Are they where you want to be in a few years? Oftentimes, we allow input from people that have their heart in the right place but don’t necessarily have the expertise to guide us. But this taught me the value of having a can-do attitude and researching the ways to make things happen, rather than waiting or praying for it to happen. With the modern technology era, there are countless ways to make things happen. The resources are endless! It just takes some time and research. 

I’ve definitely learned a large part of the process, is just putting yourself out there! Things won’t be perfect at first, but the only way to get better is to get started. Then, the natural refinement process happens over time. You find where your niche and your people are, and learn to focus on that and how to better serve them, rather than making yourself widely acceptable. If I hadn’t started my blog, for example, I would’ve never gotten my book deal! And what I started with, is vastly different from where I am today – in everything that I do: wire wrapping, energy work, blogging, and being a writer. And oftentimes, everything comes together in a really unexpected way! 

There were (and still are) many other struggles. But I think the main guiding light was maintaining that “how can I make this work?” attitude, as it allowed (and still allows) me to find my way through many obstacles. Currently, I am working on focusing my workload and not trying to spread myself too thin. I think Entrepreneurs (and witches) tend to be innovative and creative people that have endless ideas, and want to do everything all at once! However, that’s not sustainable in the long run, and not every idea or suggestions is best for your business right now. I’m learning the value of not trying to do everything, and instead deciphering what is the most important to get my businesses to the next level? 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am best known for creating magically aligned cocktails, through my blog WitchCraft Cocktails, and my two books: WitchCraft Cocktails and Moon, Magic, Mixology (which was just released Nov 9, 2021) through Adams Media of Simon & Schuster. I love creating magical elixirs (with and without alcohol), aligned to the various moon, astrological events, and just general intentions. It involves taking the folkloric, magical, and even therapeutic properties of different ingredients, and mixing them up into a magically delicious concoctions! I love that it takes the mundane act of drinking, and heightens it into a full story, experience, and even a point of reflection for personal growth. 

Like the typical professional witch, I also do intuitive card readings, energy work/crystal healing, and wire wrapping crystals and gems. 

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
There certainly are risks in life – heck, just putting yourself out there is a risk sometimes! But to be honest, it’s not a word I associate with or think on often when it comes to business. I feel there are a lot of risks in personal life, like in love, for example, or moving out of state (which I did recently, moving to AZ!). Risks can be a catalyst for personal growth, and offer valuable learning experiences. However, when it comes to business with the technology and resources available now, there are endless ways to research things to give yourself the edge and best chance of success. It can feel scary at first, to put yourself out there and do something new. But these initial risks can educate you – teach what is working, what isn’t working, or just give you a better perspective moving forward. It can really help to look at everything as a learning opportunity, as a chance to get better and improve. I think when taking a risk when it comes to business, – just be smart about it, where you can! Research, first. For example, if you’re nervous and starting an energy work business – where is your audience? How can you get yourself out there, to the right people? If you want to rent a booth at a fair, in this example, make sure it’s a metaphysical, fair, in that case! Then the risks you are taking don’t feel as scary and offer more value. Same thing with starting a blog. Are there classes you can take, to become a better writer? Perhaps you hire a coach! What niche does your blog fall under, and where is your online audience, so that you connect with the right people and have a greater change of growth? 

Contact Info:

• Email: hello@WitchCraftCocktails.com
• Website: JuliaHalinaHadas.com (this is my personal website, blog website is below)
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/witchcraftcocktail
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/witchcraftcocktails
• Other: WitchCraftCocktails.com

Image Credits
Jake Lewis
Leann Gill