Any witches here?

[speakout]

Or Wiccans. or Pagans?

I was raised as a witch- my grandmother was born in 1890 and taught me how to scry, knotwork, many magical activities. She was a dresser of the dead and a lay midwife ( before the NHS).
I now practice my craft with enthusiasm.
A little tricky as my extended family are not supportive.

Well done speakout, I'm glad your beliefs are accepted and respected, it takes courage to be open about a practice that is still now held in suspicion and misunderstood. Particularly with the demonisation of witchcraft in times past.

I'm so glad you started this thread.

Midnight Velvet the witch is Tylluan Penry.

Although I feel I'm on the threshold of walking a more 'witchy' path, I've yet to actually practically apply anything I've learned with any real intention. May I ask you lovely experienced witches here what intentional magic I could do to help bind my family together? The summer hols are tough with two young children and a husband working erratic hours. I struggle with motherhood due to my own fractured maternal line. I wish I could find some extra strength from somewhere in order to be the beacon of patience and love that is needed to maintain some degree of harmony when we are together.

I wonder if there is a spell, or some actions I could take to increase my patience? Besides gin.😁

MidnightVelvetthe7th Thank you.

Speakout how wonderful to hear that you feel you can be more open about who you are now. I second the thank you for starting this thread.x

FitzFool would you be able to share the name of the witch so i can find her please?

I'd like this too please!

It has been lovely to hear the voices of so many others in this thread.
So much support, so much acceptance and respect for differences.

I thought I may get one or two replies, or even people coming in to ridicule, the response has been heartwarming.

And does make me think that there must be so many of us that are working alone- afraid to speak- a legacy from the burning times, when magical practice had to be secret, someone would literally be risking their life by being open about their craft.
And although that thankfully is no longer the case we still life in the shadow of that monster.

It is only in 1952 that the practice of witchcraft ceased to be a criminal offence in England.

I haven’t mentioned it to anyone apart from you all yet. My dh was raised Catholic but no longer practises. I would really like to raise my children with an awareness of... something? Even just looking more closely at nature, being aware of changing seasons etc.

It’s funny speakout that people are still so wary of the words ‘witch’ and ‘witchcraft’ when, as you said right at the beginning of the thread, we perform so many little magical acts from day to day.

I think I speak for many on this thread when I say thank you for starting it.

ThatsNotEvenAWord

I feel genuinely privileged that you have chosen to share this here.

And yes I agree about the word "witch"- I know many don't like using it, but I choose to call myself that word deliberately as a way of releasing the shackles and the negativity.
Words are a powerful part of our craft.
Reclaiming the word witch for me is important.

It is my favourite thread on Mumsnet, thank you speakout

Had a bit of a namechange fail on here earlier but MNHQ have kindly sorted it for me. This all feels very private atm, and I'm just finding my way.

I have Romany gypsy blood on my father's side. I only really know anything about the men, who were fair people, boxing ring types and - going back further - horse thieves, but I know nothing about the women. My grandfather was estranged from his family before I was born, so I've never had the chance to find anything out.

I have a tarot app which I quite like, but I'm finding myself reluctant to use it. Because I'm ill, I think I'm reluctant to look too far ahead.

Sproutina that's so interesting to hear of your family. I think the Romany people have some amazing cultural aspects.

I am so sorry to hear that you are ill.

I use Tarot a lot, but rarely for prophecy, I use Tarot as an ongoing guide, it helps a lot.

Just checking in and loving the wonderful light, strong beautiful energy that's being generated by everyone here

speakout I'd like to echo the thanks expressed by others for being brave and bold enough to create this deeply nourishing space for us all. Today alone it has made me smile, exclaim resonance and given me strength. That's quite a gift

So many here describing things so eloquently too; such beautifully crafted words are also a gift. Thank you.

A lot of food for thought about transitional phases between maiden, mother and crone. On reflection I feel this is what I too have been going through- with an 'empty nest',increased introspection and less patience for drama of any kind I find myself weaving simple rituals and practices into my everyday life. Strangely, I hadn't considered this transition (I think I thought I was too young to be the crone!) so your discussion has been very enlightening. It sits well actually.

I'm also reflecting on the binding work we've been talking about. I'm at a bit of a quandary really. I mentioned it upthread- there's someone in my life who is having a big impact on me, and I've really needed to up my self care/protection practices. It's because they are struggling with their mental health but I'm worn down by it and it takes a lot of work just to stay on an even keel. They always seem to be on the attack and whilst I am very aware of why, I'm just sometimes too sensitive to not let it get to me. I'm wondering if binding would be appropriate? It seems a bit off in this situation I think? It's not a purposeful act but is having an impact... I just feel like I need something to add to my protection that actually stops it coming my way if that makes sense?

Sending you love and healing light sproutina

'empty nest',increased introspection and less patience for drama of any kind

Yes Zapholdbeeblebrox I am finding that too.

And I uphold my personal need too!

I have found the movement to crone much easier than the last transition. I am enjoying this transition. Unlike the maiden to motherhood, this one is about releasing, relaxing, finding ourselves and grounding.
I have loved motherhood, and rose to the challenge, the time was right, but it takes huge amount of energy and power to raise kids.
And it is easy to lose ourselves in the maelstrom.
But it is a wheel turning, and having a period in our lives to nurture is what happens, and we can learn , and even without knowing motherhood causes shadow work, we are forced to examine our patience, our resilience, our determination, our strengths, our relationship with anger, dark feelings , and most of all or feelings of love.
The highest vibration of all.
But we come though, we get though. We do a muddlesome job with love.
And that is enough.

Ok, sorry rambling now, but it is amazing to meet so many wonderful people here. Thanks to all who have joined.

Ha, I’m another witch yn gymraeg too
Do you have the link to the YouTube vids, fitzs ?

And if it’s not too cheeky to ask, I’d love to hear what your cards say about my me/stbxh living situation, speakout ...? For some reason I have a good feeling about him finding somewhere in the second week of September.

speakout please don't stop 'rambling' Beautiful, powerful words that have given me the exact kind of strength I needed today 💜

I came in from pottering in the garden to get out of the heat to find this lovely animation on film 4:

www.netflixmovies.com/kikis-delivery-service-1989

A whimsical animation with an empowering message about a young witch at a transition point. Perfect timing

BeyondRadicalisationPortal

The chariot! A very positive card.

The Chariot is a card of moving onward and upward as you conquer that which stands in your way on your journey to succeed. The Chariot is a card about overcoming conflicts and moving forward in a positive direction. It herald ultimate success. Hold on to your own idea of self. Hold on to your own steering force - come to know you are able to control and steer.
THis is a card of affirmation, to trust your own way, your goals.
Perhaps there are others who are trying to push you off your ideas, your values- and that will not be good, you this is a card to affirm that you are on the right path.

I hope this helps.

speakout that deck looks fabulous!

I love that depiction of The Chariot! Such strong female energy 😍

Zapholdbeeblebrox and ThatsNotEvenAWord

I love this deck too- that chariot vision is fab. leathers and a witch hat- even the sidecar looks like a pumpkin.
So nostalgic and playful,
I have several other decks, but this one I love right now.

The more I see of your deck, the more I'm tempted to treat myself to one like it!

Zapholdbeeblebrox

Of course, But float your own boat in your own way- and that is great!!
I have other decks that I love too.

That is very helpful, thank you

Tonight I am starting to make a dream catcher for myself. I'm waiting for a turquoise stone to go in the middle, and smaller amazonite stones to go around the edge. But I can get the rings covered while I'm waiting for delivery :)

BeyondRadicalisationPortal

Fantastic- and perfect for the weaving time- die Spinne- spiders, webs, late autumn.

And a great reflection and capture of the positive energy on this thread.

BeyondRadicalisationPortal If you type Tylluan Penry into YouTube you should find her channel. Click videos and there's well over 100 short, accessible 'chats' on aspects of witchcraft. No fancy editing or shiny stuff but really accessible and reassuring.

That Tarot deck looks fun, Speakout! I had two tarot decks in my teenage years I used to use, I wish I had kept hold of them. Tarot seems a useful tool for guiding and arranging thoughts.

Speakout I hope it's not too much to ask, but I'd love to see a card drawn from your deck that would help me know what I need to do to make the most of this Mother stage of my life and be the best for my children whilst battling my own demons. What should I do to ensure I'm fully present and learning from this Mother stage? How can I nurture them as best I can whilst nurturing and growing myself? A lot to ask from a single card perhaps, forgive me!

FitzsFool not a big ask- hold tight.