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Philosophy/religion

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Any Witches Here ? Part 2

999 replies

speakout · 16/08/2018 19:55

Or Wiccans. or Pagans? Or anyone who is interested in a magical path or feels some magical stirrings.

A place for support, learning, swapping ideas and magical inspiration

All welcome.

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MidnightVelvetthe7th · 28/08/2018 18:40

Thank elphame & zaphod it was good, but now I'm tired. Tomorrow will be easier though as I know everyone & they were all kind & lovely. xx

Hope everyone is having a good evening x

Insomma1 · 28/08/2018 18:45

Thank you both for taking the time to explain. It truly is a fascinating subject that I can't get enough of. I'm feeling a subtle change in my own energy since beginning to practice but my personal/intellectual understanding is yet to catch up. This board is so helpful, I'm very grateful for the advice and information here.

Elphame · 28/08/2018 19:03

but my personal/intellectual understanding is yet to catch up

I'm not sure it ever will! I'm a mensan and I have a science background and I can find no rational logical explanation for things I have seen and experienced. I initially tied myself into knots trying to make sense of it all then I made a conscious decision just to go with it and hope I can work it out later.

I'm still waiting! But I'm enjoying the ride immensely and if it never makes sense then so be it. There's plenty I don't understand in the mundane world ( Amazon Fire Sticks being one of them!). Having said that, every so often I'll read something or a penny will drop and a new piece of the puzzle falls into place so I haven't entirely given up hope. I suspect it'll take a lifetime and more to gather all of them

FitzsFool · 28/08/2018 19:52

Insomma it’s a real headspin trying to take it all in, isn’t it?! I know how you feel.

I’m still trying to define my own beliefs. They seem to have been so fluid over my lifetime and now I’m like a big old lava lamp that’s really started to heat up!

Intrinsic, extrinsic, within, out there, archetypes, living deities. I don’t know!

But I'm enjoying the ride immensely and if it never makes sense then so be it.

Elphame that sounds like the kind of mindset I need to embrace! The journey is the destination and all that.

speakout · 28/08/2018 19:53

Ha ha- me too Elphame.

I have a degree in Science- have worked for many years in scientific research, but I am a witch.

Sounds at odds, but works for me.

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speakout · 28/08/2018 19:58

FitzsFool I think we need to just feel and do rather than think.

I can sit at my altar watching the sunrise, feeling full to the brim with Goddess energy. The warmth, nurture, peace, I can be fully immersed and entranced.

What does it mean? I really don't know.
How does it feel though- beatific.

And sometimes that's enough.

We could journey a lifetime and still not have "truths".

But a Pagan journey is not about having the answers, it's about opening ourselves up to admire the flowers on our path.

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speakout · 28/08/2018 20:01

It't like this idea of "The Flow" or being "In the Zone".

Sometimes when I am engaged in a new or creative project my mind seems taken and fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus.
Task, creativity and mind become one.
Time has no meaning.

I can look up at a clock and notice that four hours have passed but it feels like 10 minutes.

We hook into the flow at yoga too.

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FitzsFool · 28/08/2018 20:18

But a Pagan journey is not about having the answers, it's about opening ourselves up to admire the flowers on our path.

Love these words, Speakout.

They are exactly what I needed to hear.

Ittakestwo · 28/08/2018 20:26

Evening all,

@speakout “But a Pagan journey is not about having the answers, it's about opening ourselves up to admire the flowers on our path.”

I love this, this is how I feel.

I have been enjoying Mother Nature today on a woodland walk.

Any Witches Here ? Part 2
Any Witches Here ? Part 2
Insomma1 · 28/08/2018 20:29

Yes... reading your words are conjuring up all kinds of feelings and sensations. It's the thinking that causes the confusion. I can almost see the old women of the past with their cauldrons, doing spell work, using herbs to heal, worshipping nature. Not questioning (or caring) how it worked. It just did.

It feels like we're part of that history.. even with our degrees and hi tech lives there's something still in us that links back to that past.

Amazing stuff. Thank you

speakout · 28/08/2018 20:34

Ittakestwo What lovely pictures, the strength in those tree roots is palpable.

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speakout · 28/08/2018 20:45

Insomma1

Exactly!

That's why I talk about our paths being equal- different yes, but no one "worthier" than another because of time or knowledge.

The quest if the goal, the practice, the piecing things together. Read, do a little spellwork, tarot, divination, meditation, art work, you will find in time re visiting subjects and areas of understanding as you move.

You may become confused or lack the motivation to continue in a certain direction, then change, mix things up. If Tarot is becoming tangled then move on to playing with oils or making balms.

I find then down the line, six months or a year later something else happens, you read another book, you have had meaningful dreams, your mind is drawn back to Tarot.
I have been like this with many areas- Tarot yes, I drop in and out or heavy usage, then leave them for a long while.

Greek mythology is a recurring area that excites me- in my early 20s, then again in my mid 30s it wanes and then presents itself to a clearer more meaningful aspect as we travel our path.

Astrology is another area that waxes and wanes for me- while always a background presence there have been times that I have studied frantically , but the next year let the subject gather dust.

But again when I revisit I can see something like astrology in e new light as I have been working with Tarot, as I have been meditating on Greek mythology.
All the threads interconnect, they may not make sense, but this path is instinctive, atavistic, primal, ancient, so we need to trust that inner voice that gives us guidance in navigating our route.

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Insomma1 · 28/08/2018 21:36

Yes, I will do that. Am currently obsessed with oils and herbal medicine. Rarely go a day without looking at tarot but have recently been exploring runes.

... @Elphame the Amazon fire stick analogy is just perfection. I don't sit and obsess why /how it works and refuse to utilise it until I understand it. I just plug it in and let it happen.

So many other great posts too... I will try to catch up tomorrow.

GeeIneverthoughtofthat · 28/08/2018 22:46

Evening all!

Just checking in to say hi. Thanks for the really interesting discussion @speakout @Fitz and @Insomma.

I find at the moment that it’s easier to feel and do than to think. I think all day long at work and it can be very tiring! Sometimes it is easier to go with the flow and see what develops.

On Sunday I felt like cleaning the kitchen so I did. That would never normally come up as an activity of choice! 😉 But it’s possible to get into the zone in that type of work too. Cooking and gardening are also good activities for me where it’s easy to become absorbed in what you’re doing.

I’m definitely not explaining this well. But one of the things I wanted to do was to learn to trust my intuition. So when things suggest themselves and ideas pop up I’m trying to try them out rather than think too much about it or dismissing them. I have learnt some surprising things this week doing that. 😊

Ittakestwo · 28/08/2018 23:11

@Geelneverthoughtofthat

Your post explains things perfectly.

GeeIneverthoughtofthat · 29/08/2018 00:50

@Insomma

I too have had the colour / shape thing arise when meditating and like @Peonyblooms have tried not to let it become too distracting. It did however leave a very peaceful feeling.

queenrollo · 29/08/2018 14:21

Still loving how much is being shared on these threads.

I'm having some emotionally demanding stuff going on right now and needing a bit of solitude quite desperately.

My husband has now come out of cast as it is a non weightbearing break so he is an a boot. He has agreed to let me apply comfrey poultice so I am doing a little bit more reading on that, may add in some plantain too. I am quite enthused about applying some real healing magic to him!

psychedelia · 29/08/2018 14:32

Hi all. I'm new to the idea of wicca and paganism but realise I have for many years been drawn to the natural world and very simple rituals but always been too 'busy' to immerse myself in them. I'm getting the growing feeling that I need to explore this more. Can anyone recommend a starting point for me in terms of reading and learning? Thank you all Smile

speakout · 29/08/2018 14:58

psychedelia welcome, always room by the fire.

There are so many paths in paganism, I would be reluctant to make any suggestions.
I think often information finds us.
I would browse the web, have a look on Amazon, look in your local charity shop ( where I get my best finds).
Also lots of great you tube channels.

What aspects of paganism interests you? That's a good starting point.

Even on this thread there are many different paths, I would be heitatnt to suggest a "starting point".

Although rightly others may disagree with me and may be along with a book list for you soon!!

A warm welcome anyway.

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psychedelia · 29/08/2018 15:37

Thanks for the welcome speakout.

As someone who was raised as a Christian, it is less about deity for me at this stage and more about the power of nature itself. I recently visited some remote parts of the Highlands for the first time and it has really stirred something in me that was already there and that I feel when I'm near lakes, mountains, the sea, but I've never given it head or heart space. I'm drawn to colours, stones, plants, water - I feel they have power and want to explore that. This sounds very daft now but I also believe that my cat who adopted me found me to teach me things I badly needed to be taught!

That might all sound a bit vague but they are thoughts and feelings I have that are wanting to be followed.

queenrollo · 29/08/2018 15:46

@psychedelia maybe look at the synopsis of If Women Rose Rooted by Sharon Blackie. Personally I didn't connect with it, as the whole Celt and water aesthetic isn't my thing. I did like the aspect of rewilding the woman though and I drew that from it.

Follow your intuition, learn to listen to the inner voice.

Personally I feel deeply connected to Samhain, but the other festivals of the year don't excite me as much so I look to why that is and follow it. I also adore the moon and am learning more about that.
There are many other aspects that I like, but these two speak to me loudest so they are the ones I pay attention to.

I also had a dream about a Willow tree, and so although I am not drawn to water (like the willow) it is the tree I identify with most and the wood that my wand is made from.

JW1226 · 30/08/2018 07:22

Hello all,

This is my first post here and when I read this thread I felt an instant connection and comfort!

I haven't practiced any magic however I feel I am a spiritual person and would love to join in the discussion.

I have a connection with numbers however I don't always know what they mean, what I do know is there is something magical going on as it seems when I see these numbers it's like a message being sent to me, any ideas to why I see these or how I can get the deeper meaning to them?

Thankyou and have a wonderful day 🌚🌝

speakout · 30/08/2018 08:03

JW1226

Welcome, come and sit next to the fire.
Feel free to contribute, listen or ask questions.

Magic in numbers is as old as history, from the ancient geomancers, mathematicians, the power in number is everywhere in paganism, ancient and not so ancient history.
In astrology, numerology, divination,mythology numbers hold power and give meaning.

I find number work important and playful too.

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Elphame · 30/08/2018 09:24

Hello JW1226 and psychedelia Welcome aboard.

Yesterday was a bit hectic. I had a friend come over and we set out with a large supply of bags and some scissors. The rain has brought on a lot of fresh new growth and she was stocking up! I picked a few sloes for my gin but that was about all. I do want to go back and pick some five finger grass and a few of the gorgeous red hawthorn berries. I'm always struck by how much hawthorn varies even over a small area. we have 2 varieties locally but each tree seems to be completely different.

speakout · 30/08/2018 10:47

Just come to the end of a big boring admin related work project.

Phew- mostly finished now, but huge glitches blocked my completion in the late stages.
No email, lost files, web sites down, lap top playing up AAAAARGh!

Finally calm however.
Just a few non urgent loose ends to tie up- then can make room for some exciting work!

And sun is out today!!
DD continues her preparations to move out to University halls next week, DS is still camping with friends.
Would have been a good time to do some clearing and cleansing if I was not so bogged down with computer stuff.

May do a little this afternoon, I need a walk in the woods, and I have bought myself a big multi box of incense that I am working my way through.
I feel a need to gather some greenery and bring it indoors too once I have done my cleansing.

Have to wait until my mother goes out ( she lives with me) before I can burn any incense.
Something to do with the serpent- or opening the third eye and letting Satan in- some tosh my sister has been telling her.

And breathe!!

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