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.

Elphame that sounds lovely.

l'm a general all purpose common or garden witch, have been for many years, but I’m also a Wiccan. I was a bit worried about all the ritual and what I understood to be the hierarchy at first but actually don't find it all hierarchical, every coven is self governing and different. It is just like being in a family, only one I have chosen myself.
I find the ritual is a powerful and useful framework for my witchery, and strangely freeing, inasmuch as I don't have to employ that part of my brain that I use when improvising. I am in a different mind state, usually producing alpha waves.
I am happy to work alone in woods, on the beach and in my own sitting room or kitchen, but being in circle, raising energy with a bunch of experienced witches, is the most amazing and exhilarating experience. I wouldn't be without either.
If people get up themselves, they tend to get short shrift in the witchy community. I agree about those pushing Maxine to be Witch Queen, or awarding themselves meaningless titles getting the piss ripped out of them, along with the publicity hounds who are all over the media. Heigh ho.

being in circle, raising energy with a bunch of experienced witches, is the most amazing and exhilarating experience I agree with you totally there. You can do things in a group environment that are just not possible working solo. I also do both.

I'm finding this thread fascinating.

I'm not at all a witch, but over the last few years my husband has been getting in to druidry and reading books on magic. I'm finding his new interest confusing as it seems to have come from nowhere and be at odds with what I felt his approach was in the past.

It's kind of disorientating to have your life partner suddenly wanting to 'bless' things and talking about an altar in the garden. I find it confusing and almost a little bit scary as I don't understand any of it and it all sounds very alien to me.

But some of the things you talk about in this thread I have a natural interest in, for example being in nature, enjoying fragrance, herbs, understanding moon cycles and how they affect my mood. And I'm interested in the red tent idea (though might not be understanding what it's really about - I'm reading it as an opportunity to get together with other women).

Where I get confused though - is this not just enjoying being human? Don't all humans benefit from wonderful natural smells and being in nature and a better understanding of themselves as animal creatures? Don't we all appreciate flowers and herbs? And coming together (friends, families) for ceremonies (e.g. celebrations)? I could totally imagine myself living in a little wooden hut in a forest and making natural perfumes by candlelight. But does this have to be a witchy thing?

I think the bit that goes too far for me is the 'spell' stuff - I just can't believe in it and it sounds too eeby jeeby and made up (to me). But I do believe in sending out good feelings and positive energy. Perhaps it is the same thing but we're just calling it different names I don't know?

Not all witchcraft is nature based - we all seem to be that way inclined on this thread as it happens but it isn't essential. "High magic" ( the ceremonial based practices like Golden Dawn and OTO ) doesn't have a nature element. My coven practices are not based on a love of nature and looking back at the old Greek and Egyptian magic theirs wasn't either.

The classic definition of magic is to bring about change in accordance with one's will. You could argue that sending out good thoughts etc is attempting to do just that

Have you spoken to your partner about their new beliefs and practices? Druidry is very accessible and isn't really witchcraft although the OBOD blend of druidism and wicca does rather blur the boundaries a bit.

Yes, having an appreciation of nature does not make one a witch.
For me the spell work or aspects of intention or seeking manifestation is what makes me a witch. Otherwise I would simply be a nature lover.
And yes Elphame is right you don't have to be a nature lover to work with magic.
My late OH was heavily into "high" magic, geomancy, heavy ritual, ceremonial magik, and was influenced by the Golden Dawn Aleister Crowley etc.He was drawn to dark work, and gaining personal power, he was not a nature lover.

I do think though that if we feel an affinity for nature it is an indicator that our powers are there and we can develop a craft if we care to.

It's very interesting to hear about the different types of magic, it's helping me to unmuddle my thoughts and prejudices towards magic / witches etc.

I think it's the idea of one person having power over others that I find frightening. Or even just a bit arrogant! Also history and culture don't view witches or magic in a very positive light.

To me personally magic is simply nature, being in nature, accessing a 'magical' energy due to being in nature. Magic to me is also music and sometimes it can be a feeling that's created when groups of humans come together and share an experience. But I can see that I'm borrowing the word magic there to give it my own meaning.

I haven't talked much to my husband as I don't want to offend him or hurt his feelings by accidentally saying the wrong thing! But this thread has given me a lot more information to enable a more informed discussion so thank you.

I'm finding this thread so interesting! I'm not a witch, but a psychic, and a medium. I primarily work as a healing medium, though I can do clairvoyant mediumship too. I can see quite a few overlaps with how posters on here practice, even though beliefs will differ, and I never do spells, though do often ask guides for help. I always work with light, am a great believer in karma, and am not interested at all in dark practices.

I wonder if I could ask some advice on a matter outside of my knowledge? I have a very overgrown garden I'm in the process of clearing. One night when I couldn't sleep, I woke up and opened a window to take the night air, only to be surprised to see some little people in the garden. I think they were also quite surprised that I could see them. We did not speak, but I mentally wished them well, and made clear I wished them no harm.

I want to be respectful in my work on the garden. Does anybody have any tips on how I can do this? I would not like to upset or anger them, and am wondering if my clearing of overgrowth might do that? Any help/pointers gratefully received!

Interesting thread! Will come back and read properly. On the one hand I think most people I have met who claimed to be witches (pagans/Wiccans etc) were deluded narcissists..on the other my mum is quite spooky in her ability to foresee things. The women in my family have been quite unusual in their life choices and I wouldn't be surprised if my Nan was a bit witchy.

ShovingLeopard - it sounds like you have the fae in your garden! Definitely a bit of a mixed blessing if you have. Bear in mind that they are not in the least human and have their own agendas which if they align with yours is great, if they don't then beware. They have no sense of human morality.

Milk and honey are traditional offerings to them and iron will keep them away. Are you able to leave a wild area for them? I have a hawthorn hedge for them and a wild flower garden which is left mostly to its own devices and we rub along OK. I don't often interact with them unless I have good reason.

personathome

*I think it's the idea of one person having power over others that I find frightening. Or even just a bit arrogant! Also history and culture don't view witches or magic in a very positive light.
*

No history and culture don't view witches in a positive light. It's good to question why.
In my view it's the Abrahamic culture which underpins our society that has painted female power in such a bad light.
An easy trick to make strong women social outcasts.

I don't see witchcraft as " having power " over anyone- again that's the christian tints you have on your glasses.

All the witches I know seek to help others empower themselves, not to wave a wand and have others do their bidding.

Oh yes if you go back before Abrahamic religions you see how and why they wanted women, healers, midwives shamed.

Thanks so much, Elphame, that's really, really helpful. I will be keeping some wild areas, as we have a lot of ivy growing up our garden wall, which will stay. Most of our neighbours have very minimalist/sterile gardens (inner city suburb), so I wonder if they are in our garden because it's one of the few in the area that is kept in a more natural state!

I may well leave them some milk and honey, as I would prefer to co-exist peacefully. I did acknowledge them at the time with a respectful bow of the head, but have not sought them out since. How would I know if our agendas didn't align?! It sounds a bit worrying, especially as there will soon be a toddler playing in the garden, complete with padding pool, etc.

Also (if you don't mind me asking more questions), are there different kinds of fae? The ones I saw were short, but stout, pretty much like a garden gnome in shape and size, though with different style of outfits - not at all the slim, ethereal Tinkerbell-style fairies I always imagine!

Fae come in lots of shapes and sizes - the pretty Tinkerbell and flower fairy sort were a Victorian invention (although Tinkerbell herself as a character is actually a fair representation - she does try to kill Wendy!).

Your description is much more in keeping with the folklore. I find that if you are polite and respectful and leave them alone then they generally do likewise. You sound like you are handling yours exactly right!

When I work with them I prefer to work with the larger land guardian (genii loci or spirits of the place). They are, shall be say, rather less capricious!

You may also have seen some earth elementals, often described as gnomes. The spirits of the earth itself.

Or they could be the actual spirits of the place, sometimes called wights.

I would acknowledge them and assure them that you mean no harm, even to guard your garden and children, while leaving them wild space and offerings.

I have a Scottish Brownie who lives in my home.

Yes, he loves chocolate especially and is open to bribes.

@ShovingLeopard
Have you seen the work of Brian and Wendy Froud? Paintings, oracle cards, books and more all about the Fae. I see you don't need his 'How to see Faeries' book

His work resonates with me and I've used his oracle decks more than any other, but as ever it's a personal thing.
www.worldoffroud.com/books/

Wow, Elphame, TooManyPaws, speakout, and BlankTimes, this is all so helpful, and really fascinating. Thanks so much for taking the time to educate me! It's quite a departure for me, as although I have been psychic since a small child, my spiritual development so far has been quite traditionally Spiritualist in nature. I often see spirits of people, pets etc, but seeing fae/elementals is quite a departure for me. Very unexpected!! Especially in a city garden. I just wasn't sure what, if anything, I should do about it.

I will definitely be leaving offerings. It sounds like chocolate would be a good addition to the milk and honey! But then I think I will otherwise be keeping a respectful distance....

The Froud resources look very interesting too. I may try the oracle cards, as I am looking for a more reliable divination tool for myself. I'm not bad at reading for others, using psychometry, but am pretty hopeless reading for myself, and have found tarot to be a bit hit and miss.

So, so interesting.

Hey everyone can i jump in as this thread is probably the best I have ever read on mum's net. I'm not a witch although have dabbled with spells. I'm an precognitive empath. It's taken me a really long time to realise it and accept it hence the name.
As an empath I have always been able to feel energy. I've recently trained myself to see energy grids aswell.
I can feel spirit in meditation. I can also smell spirit aswell. I tend to communicate with my angels and spirit guides most often. Although have done trance which freaked me out.
For the past year I've been trying to develop on my own. So I've started using divination have tarot decks but can't read for myself ha. I'm more drawn to other forms of divination like mirror scryying and cloud/star gazing.
Right now I'm trying to balance my male and female energies as I'm quite blocked due to both past life and this life experiences. I've taken up mirror work to see my past life's which are fascinating.
I'd love to be fully open and not afraid to use my gifts so that I could help others and myself.
Thank you for this thread.

Empathfreak welcome.

Empathfreak - what was it about trance that freaked you out? It's just an altered state of consciousness and is a very useful skill if you mirror scry.

Were you talking about trance mediumship, Empath, where a guide overshadows and talks through you?

speakout thank you

elphame and leopard it was right at the start Of me even meditating so I had no knowledge of grounding, or protection, or scared spaces etc.
It was one Sunday afternoon and I had been meditating for a while when felt the usual tingle on my body the tingle got stronger and spirit literally took over my body. My physical body felt double the size, hands felt like shovels, shoulders broad etc (I'm tiny) my mannerisms changed and my voice was not my own. It literally took over my body, which freaked me out and the fact that it took a good while for me to get it to leave, and return to me I didn't like either.
Have never meditated or done any occult work without grounding or protecting my self since.

Ah yes - rather different from the usual meditative trance then!

Possession work is part of my practice and yes it does feel really weird and I can be quite washed out physically afterwards. I've recorded some sessions and heard myself and I don't look or sound like me. It's definitely not something to be recommended to a beginner and I am very particular in what I will "host".

I have had spirits attempt to barge in too. It's easy enough to keep them out once you realise what they are up to but if you are new to it and taken by surprise then not so much. I warn my students not to attempt this type of thing alone as it's much safer to have someone with you in case they need to intervene.