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.

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for this thread - I have learnt so much from all the posts.

I have had an interest in witchcraft for about 3/4 years. I realised, after reading around, that I’d had some elements of spells or rituals at some times in my life. I’ve always been very energised by the sea, it makes me calm and euphoric at the same time somehow. Unfortunately I’m not that near the coast.

I am, like some PPs, in the thick of the mother stage. Mine are 2 and 5, and I’ve heard awful mental health due to a hormonal imbalance post children.

I was studying and starting solitary practice when about a year ago we moved house. I put a great deal of stick in it being a fresh start. I researched Home blessings and did one. I was really excited about the potential new space and practicing. But everything was really hard - immediately things broke down, fell off. I had a slightly negative vibe when going for the house but assumed it was just neglect by previous tenants. Anyway, long story short someone close to me, who I trust (but doesn’t know about my interest in witchy things), said there is a presence here, and a very specific unhappy past for a family just like mine here, years ago. They worked hard on sending positivity and gave me ideas to help.

It does seem better now, overall. But the whole thing scared me, and still does. It was like I’d tentatively dabbled and made everything worse maybe. When I was really depressed I felt the house was the problem and almost felt I was haunting this house. Also where is set up my alter wasbthevexact spot the bad energy seemedvto be focused. So now I feel uncertain.

But I do feel such a call for something more. And I keep having a name come to me - Oestra, in dreams or meditation. I think it could all help balance me and restore the family energy too.

I’m interested in loads but especially meditation (any books on doing this safely / witchily?), herbs, essential oils, candle magic, sea witchcraft.

Any reassurance or thought onnthis vast essay much appreciated.

And sorry for typos! Toddler lying on me.

Also someone mentioned moon water up thread, how do I make this please?

There is some variation in methods here. Some will just put a bowl of water out on the full moon. The moon doesn't actually have to be visible from behind the clouds.

I was taught and use a more complex method. Place a bowl of spring water outside on the full moon - ideally the bowl should be blue for healing energy. Taking a hand mirror you then reflect the image of the moon into the bowl of water for a few minutes. Obviously this one only works when the moon is actually visible.

Hello Blerg and welcome - getting an unwelcome response to early practice isn't actually that uncommon. Starting practising the craft is equivalent to sending a great big flare out in to the universe and draws attention to you. Have you done a really good thorough energetic cleanse of the place and then refilled the space with things special to you and your family?

Hi Elphame thanks for your response. I did at the time of the house blessing (smudging, salt, candles, etc), but not really much since. I've done some golden light visualisation, and we (all together) made paper hearts to hang in the problematic room - at the instruction of the friend who sent positive energy. What more would you recommend? I am slowly making the place more ours, and I cleaned out the last drawer associated with a bad time (we had) today - inspired by this thread. I cleaned it, and lit a white sage incense in there (with it open, of course!)

Thanks @Elphame it sounds like a similar set up as the piece of equipment I use to extract juice from fruit only smaller. Thinking of it it would work well with herbs :)

How do you use the scented water? Other than in cakes...

Ah your friend does know what they are about! So many people will clear the crap out but don't know to replace it with something nice and positive - in your case the paper hearts. Nice work!

See how you get on now - hopefully all will be well but a monthly bit of house maintenance with a nice incense wafted about and maybe some noise or Florida water wouldn't do any harm and if you haven't yet put up some basic wards around the house then that wouldn't be a bad idea either

VallarMorghulis I use it in hand creams and as the basis for various magical waters and washes

Elphame great! Surprised- as this person is not officially ‘woo’ as far as I know. Is there a time of the month best for this sort of maintenance?

And also, I’d be interested to hear if anyone has beginning/ end of day rituals or actions. I like to set my intentions but no idea what that might look like

Thanks Elphame, will use your more complex method

Hope everyone has a good day

Good questions Blerg

One thing I'm waiting to do happened last year in the Christmas holidays. I'd got up a bit late and took a shower and in the middle of my shower the sun came out and shone directly onto me and it felt like I was showering in sunlight, it was the most beautiful thing! Not happened since, I'm waiting for it to slant in again this new year. I made some promises to myself in the sunlight shower that I still have to keep x

Blerg, thank you for your contributions- you have had some great responses I see welcome to the moot!

MidnightVelvetthe7th

Your sun shower sounds amazing. You may have hit quite a spot- it reminds me of the crack in the rock/solstice events that happen at a precise moment at several ancient sites, flooding chambers with light at an exact moment.

If you can remember the day and time you may be able to replicate it this year!.

I make all sorts of waters - when the mood takes me, moon water, thunder water, storm water, sun water, even wind water! I collect rain water, too.

This morning is damp, water droplets still clinging to plants from overnight rain, a slight mist, feeling autumnal, very quiet and beautiful.

Today is a day of making smudge spray and ordering supplies.

MidnightVelvetthe7th thank you for the info, that's the one I was about to sign up for! 😊

speakout thank you so much for starting this thread, I'm a longtime mumsnet user but never thought there would be such a positive response to this subject. You and elphame clearly have lots of experience, thank you both for sharing your knowledge so generously.

Morning all. I think I posted way back in the thread under another name but I can't remember.

Anyone got any bright ideas for dealing with the fact that my kids (8 and 6) are arguing constantly and starting to get a bit defiant. They seem just steeped in negative energy. I have a few thoughts of my own on how I might try to remove some negativity from the household but I'd like to get your thoughts too.

Morning all. Just realised with all the discussion of mother stage, I hadn't posted the age of my DCs. They're 6 and 7.

Did a spell for health related to food (weight loss mainly, but not entirely focussed on the weight loss alone - more the improvement in health that will come with it) at the last full moon. Went a (little!) bit off plan on a food related day out yesterday and then suffered all night with terrible indigestion, think that was the PTBs reminder of why I am doing this!! 😬

Fascinating reading today here as ever, thank you all for sharing experiences and witchy wisdom, it's very nourishing and some powerful magic in process Beyond!

I spent a lovely afternoon/evening connecting with nature out on the moors yesterday. No phone signal, just wonderful trees, water and open space. Pictures don't do it justice.Just what I needed. While I was walking I saw a woman swimming alone in the river. She was older than me and embodied a beautiful strong and happy crone energy. Another synchronicity for me about my current transition phase. It's all there when you give yourself space and pay attention isn't it

Zapholdbeeblebrox thank you for sharing and telling us of your day.

The transitions are interesting, I found maiden to mother difficult till I learned how to ride the beast, but it felt for a few years that I have jumped off a cliff.

I am finding the motherhood to crone stage much easier- in fact enjoyable.

I wonder if part of that is because we get more time to adjust, years in fact, whereas motherhood is a very instant transition.

Moving to becoming a crone is still a wild horse ride, but it's thrilling and exhilarating.
It's not over yet, but so far the going has been good.

Blerg - I guess some would recommend the full moon but I'm more of a practical witch. If something needs doing then I'll do it, so I do maintenance as and when I think it needs it and when I have a spare half hour. I feel it's more important to get on and do something rather than have to wait for a date and then not do it as life somehow got in the way!

We all have busy lifestyles now though and it can sometimes be a real challenge fitting witchcraft around the boring earning of a living. I think speakout has that one solved though

I have a few exceptions to my as and when rule - I have a witch bottle I need to complete on the dark moon. Sadly it's been waiting for its final ingredient and the consecration and sealing for probably a year now as every dark moon seems to be inconvenient or we are away. I'll get round to it one day (or I just need to get on with it and ignore the lunar input!).

As for morning rituals - yes I have one to greet and honour the ancestors but it's very quick and simple and one I can do standing in the kitchen whilst waiting for the kettle to boil at breakfast.

I did try a more ambitious one which required lighting a birthday cake candle and letting it burn out whilst I meditated. Despite only taking 5 mins or so that didn't stick as it didn't fit easily into my morning routine.

I found maiden to mother difficult till I learned how to ride the beast, but it felt for a few years that I have jumped off a cliff.

That's a great description that I can really relate to speakout I felt abruptly thrown into it at 19 and struggled to integrate my mother with my still developing maiden.

I wonder if part of that is because we get more time to adjust, years in fact, whereas motherhood is a very instant transition.

Totally agree. This is very true in my experience. Despite DC having flown the nest several years ago I am only just seeing this latest transition within myself.

Zapholdbeeblebrox that makes sense.

I still have my kids at home (18 and 20) , but I feel a huge degree of crone within me ( a great thing).
But I had my first child when I was in my late 30s so age/hormonal wise I am so ready to be a crone!!

That's interesting speakout our bodies and physical experience don't always line up exactly with our journey do they. Having said that my body seems to be catching up, moving into what I think is early menopause!

It feels to me like transition in this way is about integration of parts of us rather than moving from one to the other if that makes sense. Anyway, I'm liking the idea of moving towards being the crone and feel more at ease with the maiden and mother parts of me because of it.

Interesting to read about your rituals Elphame I too have tried short practices that just don't stick despite being simple.

I do what feels right and if it sticks for a while then it's a good sign! the most important thing for me is for it not to feel laboured. Sometimes I'll just light a candle of an appropriate colour at the beginning of the day- perhaps with some essential oils. For example orange with citrus essential oils for a positive happy intention for the day.

I started my day with lemon and peppermint oil in the shower this morning :) wonderful.

The analogy of motherhood being like jumping off a cliff is so true. One thing though I’ve been thinking is that my children are young enough to me to sprinkle a few witchy things in our daily lives and it can just become their norm.

Zapholdbeeblebrox beautiful photos. I need to do something like this when my DC are at nursery this week I think.

Lacy this might be nonsense but what about if you made something to eat all together eg a cake and tried to sort of pour some positivity into it. Would they be up for the idea of a friendship cake/love cake or something? I’ve been thinking of putting a salt water bowl in my youngest’s room to see if it helps him sleep at bedtime actually. This has just reminded me.

I am still loving this thread! Was here very early on but keep name-changing across MN for privacy. I've confused myself now!

When I can, I'll join in properly. For now though, any advice about luck, witchery or spells I can use in the foundations of a new extension? Have had a really horrid turbulent decade and hoping for new beginnings and protection.

Blessings to you all for sharing your stories of growth.

I should add I am right at the start of my own journey, but looking back the signs were always there.

Like others here I just need to work out my next path.

Sorry I don't have the time to contribute more, it's a great thread that will hopefully continue for a long time, some of the insight on here is a joy to read.

ThatsNot how about a salt lamp for littlie's room?

This is one of my t light ones and one of my electric ones that looks like hot coals.
You can get all sorts of shapes and sizes from rough lumps to carved shapes. Natural ionisers and I think they're generally lovely things to have around.

I think cronehood is the easier transition because it encompasses all three, you've already accumulated a lot of wisdom and experience, you bring it with you and kind of slip into cronehood, rather than the previous more abrupt changes from one state to another.