Any Witches Here ? Part 2

[speakout]

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.

I found some hagstones today, so I'll be taking them home and hanging them up - is that the right thing to do?

It's obviously right for you. I have one hanging in my lounge window.One on my pc monitor and the rest on the shelf. That's what works for me. Others may wear one on a necklace or bracelet,or hang one over the bed.

We were out in the garden and a little robin flew into the garden and sat with us all afternoon. I just had this feeling it was her mum checking my friend was ok but i don't know if I'm just being silly really.

Not being silly at all. I'm the same with robins and butterflies. My gran used to love butterflies (flutterbies she called them) and always see one when I go to check her grave is ok.

Ok second batch of marmalade made and now all setting in jars. I added more lemon and rosemary to the second batch. Helps to fill up the store cupboard for the winter.

My tired feet and I are having a well earned cup of tea. 😊

@sallycinnamum I have always been told that a robin signifies a visit from a loved one who is no longer with us. I hope that it gave your friend some comfort.

Welcome to all the new people I've been a bit over stretched this last few days to take much active part but I've been snatching a few moments to read!

Midnightvelvet you're probably getting sooty marks because you're burning paraffin candles. If you switch to beeswax that should solve it (they're healthier for your lungs too)

Love the witch balls speakout and how amusing that the church want you to do a talk. Mormanism does have roots in folk magic but that might not be a popular view ( www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01B6PJ7O2?ref=dbs_p2d_P_R_popup_yes_alc_T2)&tag=mumsnetforum-21

Sallycinnamum Like Gee robins are linked with the dead in my family too so yes maybe you did have a visit :)

( that marmalade looks good!)

I've had a really lovely afternoon at the local lavender farm. Almond and lavender cake was a revelation. I came away with some dried flowers for distillation and a tin for culinary purposes. They also make their own essential oils which I didn't buy as I've just stocked up from Starchild. I shall remember for later though.

OK rowan charms as promised

The idea is that you string fresh rowan berries on a thread to use for protective purposes. If you look closely at each berry, it will have a five pointed star opposite the stalk end. You string the berries using a needle and thread with the needle going in through the star and out by the stalk. As you do so you can meditate on the protective qualities of the rowan and infuse them with you own energies.

Use a natural fibre - I use red ( the traditional colour) dmc embroidery cotton or sometimes silk thread. Once the string is as long as you want it. hang it in a warm airy place to dry ( I use one of my curtain poles). You can then either wear your string as a necklace, hang it in a window or doorway - however you feel. If you string on to shirring elastic then you can make a bracelet.

It's a bit of a sticky process but worth it.

Alternatively you can make charms from the wood, Cut two twigs about 9" long and tie them together in a + shape using red thread. Hang above doorways to keep evil out. These should be replaced every 3 months for full efficacy.

Evening all,
It's wonderful how our gathering is growing, welcome newcomers!

I'm enjoying reading what everyone's been doing today. I admire those with 'kitchen witch' and craft skills. I'd love to do more of these things.

It's interesting how many of us are experiencing a slump in energy right now (me too!) I wonder how much it has to do with the change of season? I'm mentally cosying up by the fire in our witches kitchen to recharge!

@BeyondAnOmnishambles I hope the dissertation is coming along well. The picture is for you, to spur you on- Seshat- Egyptian goddess of knowledge and writing. I used to find rosemary and lime oils helpful for staying alert and focused when writing academic papers. Anything citrus would be good. Good luck 🍀

X posted with you Elphame
Thank you for the instructions- I love the sound of the rowan berry strings- I must find some berries to use!
Hope all went well with your gathering

Evening! I want to thank you all for inspiring me to actually do something about my lack of energy! I got out my oil of thieves and took several deep cleansing breathes. I mixed up a nice cleaning solution with it and gave the loo a refreshing clean. I finished this off with a nice shower. In the past, I have envisioned the water clearing away negativity from my body ( forgot to do so this time but felt refreshed in spirit and mind anyway)
Thank you all for making a space to share our experiences and get support

Thank you so much for your replies. It's a lovely thought her mum is checking in on her.

Loving all these contributions- Elphame your work is so inspiring- what a crafting gift you have.

Thanks for the tips about using citrus oils. I made a scrub and used it the shower which had given me a bit of a lift.

It’s great to check in and see so many people delurking and feeling compelled to join in. Welcome and hello!

Insomma I really understand what you mean about contributing here is a cathartic and journal-like experience. Reading through the thread is lovely in itself, but engaging in the discussions myself really requires me to take in what’s been said and reflect on what resonates with me. I’m grateful for this space to do that!

speakout I also had to smile at the Bishop’s unsuspecting invite! And the witch’s ball was lovely, what a beautiful craft.

Ittakestwo Loki is lovely, as is his name, but I love the idea of standing at the kitchen door in the evening shouting “Trevor”!

GeeINever That marmalade looks divine, I bet it smelt lovely too! I agree with what you and speakout were getting at when you bemoaned how cooking can become part of the mundane drudgery of life and how wonderful it is to reclaim some of the magic in making delicious, nourishing food. I used to love cooking and using things I had grown and pouring over recipes but everything culinary wise as gotten so...perfunctory in the Fitz-household! Might have to make me some jam to rekindle that magic I used to feel.

Elphame thank you for sharing the use for a Rowan berries. I intend to give that a try!

Just to say i bought a piece of Blue Calcite today.
The woman in the shop was quite annoying and I was so distracted by this i almost didn't, but i was drawn to it. It was described as a 'wand' and is a tapered cucumber shape.
There was no description of the 'meaning' of the stone type (and she shrugged disinterestedly) but i've just looked it up and it is supposed to be good for soothing anxiety and facilitating healing. So, there we are :)

@BeyondAnOmnishambles good luck with your dissertation. I also left it quite late to complete mine, I kept procrastinating. When I was up against the clock to finish it, I found it helped to envisage the feeling of handing it in, how free and light I would feel.

Ladies please could I ask for some good luck vibes? I have a job interview tomorrow. I will be wearing blue knickers and I'll put together a pouch with rosemary, a key and some coins, but would appreciate any other vibes.

@sockportal good luck! Sending positivity and light your way

@sockportal send positive energy your way x

ARoomSomewhere Well done for trusting your gut- it's brought you this far and now found you the perfect stone 💎 Blue Calcite is also very protective and will help you hone your magical abilities. Great going! And thank you for the reminder- reading your post has prompted me to spend time with a lovely smoky quartz ive had for a while- just the kind of grounding I need right now.

sockportal Great news! Blue knickers and the items you mention have always been a winner for me! Shine your light (visualise it happening) take your time and smile- they're going to love you. Will certainly be sending positive supportive thoughts your way

@BeyondAnOmnishambles I hope you're making good progress!

@sockportal good luck tomorrow

I am really gaining so much from all your posts.

Part of the movement into Crone for me is the physical changes. Very definite perimenopause happening here, and I am having a draining menstruation. On top of husband with broken ankle and my youngest child in a particularly demanding phase - I am struggling to nurture myself as much as I would like.
I went to bed for a nap this afternoon, but could have slept right on through!
I am going to go to bed shortly and read my ogham staves. Life has thrown some difficulties at me this week and I feel adrift.

The discussion about the plant with red berries was interesting earlier. It is what i would call a guelder rose. We planted that among elder, sloe, dog rose and hawthorn in a hedge on our field.

Welcome to all newcomers x

Sending positive vibes for the coming week wishing everyone health and happiness

It’s my first day back to work tomorrow after the summer - I might dig some blue knickers out too, if nothing else they’ll make me smile all day!

Thanks @Fitz and @Zaphod. I’ve always used to love cooking but sadly for many years I have only done mundane stuff. It was good to branch out a bit today and I enjoyed it. Also good to chat with @speakout on this thread whilst cooking.

Good luck for tomorrow @sockportal

I picked some lavender this morning @elphame. At the moment it’s drying on the hearth. How do you use yours?

Just had a lovely salt and oil bath. 😊 bliss!

queenrollo Thank you for the further information about the plant- I've just looked it up and discovered that it has folklore meaning representing ancestors. I love the idea of ancestral energy in a protection charm so now intend to use some to make Elphame's charm

Sending you warm wishes for a restorative night's sleep and some comfort from your ogham staves. I also think I'm peri atm, and also feel adrift- (just taken to my bed with a cup of herbal tea and an intention to read my tarot) it's not good to know you're going through this but it's comforting not to feel alone

Thank you for your good wishes user, wishing the same for you

Good luck sockportal

gee. Some will go into a cake I think. I loved the lavender flavoured one this afternoon. I’m planning on distilling the rest to make lavender water. I didn’t get any from my garden this year. The plant didn’t do very well despite the hot dry summer. I probably need to replace it.

Took me so long to write my post I missed Gee and Thatsnot

Good to hear you enjoyed your workings Gee- it's sure to be infused with magic!

And hooray for the blue knickered witches- I'll also dig some out in solidarity!

Thank you Elphame for the recipe.

@speakout... That's interesting that you don't have an altar. I find candles help to focus my mind but assumed I'd need to do an altar. Do you always draw a circle too?

Insomma1

Sometimes I draw a circle, often with salt, but sometimes not.

Depends on the intention. and whether or not I need to feel protected.