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.

My only advice for those of you new to the path is just to trust your instincts/gut. If it feels right,it is right.....for you.

Oh and read. Read and read some more,books,magazines,articles online. Research what you feel drawn to,for me it's a green path/nature. I don't buy crystals any more,I have some that have ''spoken'' to me but after reading about how they are mined,it doesn't sit right with me.

For me,I'm happiest in the woods,on a hilltop,walking along ley lines/dragon lines. It's surprising what you can hear in those places if you just stop and listen and just ''be''.

Insomma1 It's a fine line the witch walks between confidence and the arrogance you mention.

Without confidence in your abilities you risk undermining yourself which leads to things not working out as you would wish which further undermines your confidence and you get trapped in a vicious circle.

The other extreme is equally bad though - the pagan world is full of individuals whose ego far exceeds their ability and that can be dangerous both for them and more importantly for those around them.

As in all things balance is key - I take what I do very seriously but I try not to take myself too seriously and I will frequently tell tales of where I've come to grief ( which happens frequently and is always my own fault!)

Fitzfool FWIW - my advice to the beginner. Whilst books are a great starting point, at some point you need to put them down and take the plunge into actually doing something.

The problem is that the more you learn the more you realise how little you actually know and the temptation is to continue to read until you know "enough". That day may never actually come. So even if you think you don't know anything - do something. It doesn't have to be fancy - maybe spend a few minutes looking at the moon and put a bowl of clear cool water out under a full moon, spend sometime alone in the woodland just "being" or light a candle and think of a loved one who's passed on and remember them.

Books can also be confusing. As speakout said earlier there is no one "right" way for most things and what you read is just one person's opinion. You are allowed to disagree - in fact you should disagree if it doesn't sit right with you no matter how well known the author or personality is. If you've learned 15 ways to cast a circle but still haven't actually tried it then it's time to put the books down and find your way of doing it.

(I actually love books - I have a large magical library )

@FitzsFool I am new to this path although I feel like I have been on it for a long time on a subconscious level. Now that I have started to actively embrace it I found my life has more clarity and purpose.

The things I've always done in a subconscious level include always making food with love, to nourish those I make it for. No meal tastes nice if you knock it together for the sake of eating it. I also enjoy crafts an making things and only buy presents with the recipient in mind none of this ah 3 for 2 at boots one gloves fits all type thing.

I'm conscious of the world around me and other people. I can read their emotions and intent.

I've spoken before about how I believed my grandma is a witch but would never define herself as a witch. I've trod gently with her and she has given me so much knowledge and wisdom. She is writing me a notebook of old country sayings, her recipes and how to care for herbs.

This weekend I took a lavender bush from my other nanna's house. She sadly died before Christmas, but I think she is still around and hasn't let go yet. She had the lavender bush outside her back door and she was the least green fingered person you would ever meet and she had kept this bush alive for 50+ years. It will no live by my back door and i can think about my nanna.

I have invested in my essential oils, who knew that there was so many lovely scents to chose from?! I sprinkle them throughout my home and I feel that my house feels more harmonious now as well as smelling much nicer now I don't use plug in air fresheners.

I'm on the lookout for a rose quarts pendant so it can be close to my heart. But I waiting until the right one catches my eye.

I have read a few books:
Traditional witchcraft for urban living - melusine Draco
The secret people - melusine Draco
And I am part way through
The real witches kitchen - Kate west

Thank you for reading my thoughts

GrumpyOldMare - I'm another who doesn't use much in the way of crystals. The mining process and the conditions under which the miners work does not sit right with me either nor the amount of energy needed to tumble them. It's rare that I buy any and then I'm careful from where. Diamonds are not the only blood stone.

Usually I use plain pebbles I've picked up on various travels and quartz is really easy to find along with jasper and other semi precious stones.

Love your rose story Enchanter I was thinking of you actually this morning as I passed a patch of enchanters nightshade whilst walking the dog

Just thought I'd throw this in x

FlowerPower66 I can't make out that picture- what is it?

Thank you Elphame.

Ps I'm sorry for all the inane questions. I tend to labour points because I hate not understanding. It's a bad trait that I should have grown out of by now

Insomma1 I don't think that accepting and realising your personal power is arrogant.

We as witches or wiccans or pagans don't on the whole seek to control or have power over others as many organised religions do.

Religions like christianity frown upon individuals developing personal power, they are told that meekness, obedience and self denigration are attributes.
Pride and free thinking is frowned upon within the church, tigers are harder to control than sheep.

@speakout...Yes, I think you may have picked up something in me that I wasn't consciously aware of. I was brought up in a Roman Catholic family and I think my unconscious mind is bringing up stuff I'd thought had been rejected years ago.

Thank you.

Powerful people empower others.

It's not a competition, it's not about control.
It's about respecting ourselves and respecting other people.

Feeling strong is good, I like to feel my power and I love to feel the power of others.

When we see strength as a good positive thing together we can whip up a storm, and help others find their strength too. We can help each other when they feel down, or weak, or unsure, and in turn when we have those inevitable times when we need help we will have our flames rekindled.

That's quite beautiful. It is a beautiful craft I feel

Hi there I’m a newbie and would say much the same as @sockportal. I love to cook and craft. Have herbs growing by the door etc but I have done much of this unconsciously.

For now I’m doing what @speakout suggested. I’m getting comfortable in my new more conscious state. I’m cooking and tending to herbs but with more intent. I have tried meditating. Lots of self care. At the next full moon I may put out a dish of water. I also plan to make an autumn wreath at the equinox.

For now I’m enjoying learning and seeing what unfolds. It’s like nurturing a seed. I’ve no idea where the path leads but I’m feeling comfortable and trying to add things little by little. It’s a lovely positive feeling.

Thank you all for this lovely thread.

Am lying in a beam of sunlight in bed, smiling at all the energy of these lovely people here

Thank you speakout and GrumpyOldMare for the advice to follow my instincts and the reminder that everyone’s paths and talents are different. I felt so overwhelmed by the sudden influx of information that I had begun to overthink. It then becomes hard to distinguish my own inner voice from all the other influences and ideas suddenly opening to me. Over-complicating things which then leads to self-doubt. Thank you for your reassurance.

Elphame you are so right. More doing, less overthinking. Story of my life! I feel my path both requires me to do that in order to walk it and will simultaneously teach me how to do that. If that makes sense?

sockportal and geeInever thank you for sharing your thoughts as fellow novices.

sockportal your grandma’s book sounds like such a treasure. As does your nanna’s Lavender bush. It sounds as though your path will allow you to carry their legacy.

geeInever I like the analogy of nurturing a seed and seeing what will grow. You sound calm and positive and ready to go with the flow. As a lot of what you are doing mirrors what I’m doing I can learn a lot from your approach.

I’ve taken something from all your replies. Thank you.

Wonderful to read the discussion here as always, such depth and wisdom from everyone, thank you all for making this such a place of growth and support. I love being part of it

I saw this earlier and it made me laugh- thinking about all us bargain hunting witches here

Have been catching up on the thread as have had a couple of days staying with DP's Mother and DC by the sea, definitely one of my favourite places. I always find the sea makes me feel much calmer but intensely alive at the same time.
I am trying to find ways of bringing more harmony to our home at the moment. While we were away I happened to find a wonderful, subtly witchy shop which sold loose incense and which I have never seen before. I bought some which was recommended as suitable for purification and am planning a good clean accompanied by incense burning and perhaps some bell ringing. I have an old bell I found in a charity shop several months ago which feels very special to me. I am also meeting a friend for coffee at a garden centre tomorrow so will hopefully be able to get some herb seeds. I have some Melusine Draco and Kate West books ordered which are due to arrive at the end of the week which I am incredibly excited about. At the same time I am also trying to take things slowly and feel my way very gently.
I have loved reading everyone's thoughts about hares. I have a hare statue from Sainsbury's of all places, in my bedroom. They have always had meaning for me and I find the folklore about them fascinating. When I was in the early stages of pregnancy with DS2 things looked a bit worrying for a while but one day when I was out walking with DP a hare appeared and instead of instantly running away, loped along at a distance but parallel with and keeping pace with us for some time. I just knew then that everything would be OK.
I do have a quick question about moon water (although I feel far from ready to make any just yet but would love to a little further down the road). Once it is made is it possible to store it or is it better to use it immediately? Assuming it is possible is there a recommended storage method and a use by date?!
Just want to say I am getting so much joy from this thread, to echo a Pp it really does get the toes tingling!

I cast my first circle tonight. I didn’t do it for magik i just wanted a quiet place to meditate. I found it helpful x

Place marking. Must come back to rtft later. Blessings to all.

blueangel1 Welcome. Pull up a cushion.

Ittakestwo lovely to hear about your circle.

Making s sacred space is such a good thing to do, and how wonderful that your first circle was a nurturing one!

Thank you speakout. I’ve been treading lightly doing small things each day. Really enjoying myself and feeling much better about who I am. The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is to have faith and trust in myself. So thank you all for sharing.

Thank you @EnchantersNightshade. Obviously I agree that she’s special, ha. I do take her seriously, as she is so passionate about it. And of course, it’s something she’s done since being able to take her own shoes off outside. Even as a baby she was happiest crawling around on the grass.
I will show her this thread later on and see what she thinks.
She does tend to not really discuss it outside the house as she thinks that people would pick on her ☹️

@Elphame yes we are going to try again. When I feel the energies are right and with us!

Today I took my daughter out for a birthday lunch with 3 of her friends and Lo. This morning when I was cleaning my dad popped into my mind (I thought, he's with us). He died in May :-(When we got to the restaurant The Whole of the Moon by the waterboys was playing. It always reminds me of Dad, he used to play it in his flat when I visited him every week when I was little. A definite sign.

@RootandBranches If you intend to drink the moon water then do so more or less straight away. If it's for healing or washing (cleansing) any objects then it does keep quite a while. I decant it into swing top bottles and keep in a cool dark place for up to a couple of months or more.