Any Witches Here ? Part 3

[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.

StewPots

Welcome- pull up a chair, there is always room for one more.

I am interested in the history of Witchcraft too- I come from a place in Scotland which saw hefty persecution.

We are a mixed bunch here, all paths, some witches, Wiccans, Pagans, and everything in between.
Some of us are new to our craft, some have many years experience.

Read, ask questions- no question is silly or too basic- there is lots of help and a cauldron of knowledge.
You may like to dip back and read the other two threads - Any Witches Here or any Witches Here 2, to get a flavour of discussions.
We are on our third continuation here!

I'll link theme here for you.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/3241689-Any-witches-here

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/3338025-Any-Witches-Here-Part-2

Morning all,

I'd hoped to get into the garden today & tidy up but its raining so I thought I'd make some soup instead.

speakout that sounds so lovely, I have two pre teens who don't want to go shopping & heaven forbid will try anything on. All they want to do is go to Game then for a drink/cake then home :) :)

Morning all and happy equinox blessings!

I was actually awake at the exact astronomical moment but chose to stay in bed so as not to disturb the cat. Mind you said cat had no such scruples and went out twice in the night only to return dripping wet each time....

Welcome Stewpots and WillowWitch

Bellecose2 - I still find it scary at times even after many years! I wandered out of the mapped areas a while ago and most of what I do is pretty experimental so there are no guidebooks. I have scared myself half to death at times - usually afterwards when I realise how wrong it could have gone! However I trust my spirit guides who are pushing me hard in this direction and they haven't let me down yet.

Today is a day of putting stuff away and tidying. I need to bath the dog who is smelling far too doggy and then it's back in the car to stay with my mother for a few days. It's somewhat frustrating as there are a lot of witchy projects I want to get on with but they'll have to wait a while.

Rainy day here but it smells mossy and devine.

Thank you @speakout and @Elphame. I am reading the threads - a lot to take in!

At present I feel like I am being pulled in a lot of directions spiritually. I used to practice tarot as a teen (although not very well) and have got back into that. I also have very "psychic" leanings and have been told I have gifts but have no idea how to use them or where to start.

I dont have anything in the way of a "witches kit" or even know where to start with that either so any help or guidance would be much appreciated!

Happy Equinox Everyone!

Skyejuly

I can smell that smell you describe, earthy, sweet, and yes divine.

Also - I enjoy staring into candle flames. I find it very relaxing at times. Is this a way of Scrying or does it need to be a big fire? And should I use particular candles if I wish to develop this l?

When I do it I feel so relaxed and my mind just feels at peace although I don't think I've ever seen anything in the flames (haven't done it for a long time so maybe I did but forgot?).

StewPots

Take your time- that feeling of "lots of directions" will never go away- even if you have been practicing for decades- always new things to learn and more to discover.

Do what you are drawn to- simple divination needs no more than tea and a cup.

Don't go spending money on a witch's kit- you may not need everything contained in there.

A few simple things can get you started in spell work if that is what you want to do., candles, salt, string, paper, some herbs from your kitchen cupboard.

There is no rush, take your time, do what feels good, and things you enjoy.

The simple act of lighting a candle to honour the day, the season, yourself is a powerful act of magic.

Hello. I did comment on the last thread but didn't keep up. Happy Equinox. 🍁So many things on this thread have resonated so far. Quite tired today because my 5 month old had me up a few times last night! But hope to contribute more when I have the energy.

StewPots

Yes you can do scrying into a candle flame, relax and take your time- it doesn't have to be a roaring log fire.

And any candle will do.

Hello, Sisters! Elphame, I’m laughing at your consideration for your cat! I’m lying in bed, attempting to type, with a cat draped over my arm. Making very small movements, so as not to disturb him. His purring is so soothing. I sometimes just sit with my cats when I need a few moments of comfort.

StewPots and Skyejuly, welcome! The tea is always on here...and the company is warm and knowledgeable..

speakout, you must tell us about your shopping expedition..

Blessings for a cosy fall day..🍁🍁

Morning all!

Was just dropping by to talk about some things from my week.

The first is about every day “co-incidences”. Last Sunday I was feeling tired and not particularly looking forward to Monday with a busy day at work. My neighbour was being very irritating making a lot of noise with power tools. And I thought vaguely “oh wouldn’t it be lovely if the power went off as I would get some peace / rest”. Needless to say it didn’t happen but the next afternoon I walked into work ..and the power was off. Had a lovely restful hour reading quietly.

Later this week, again still feeling tired I again thought “oh wouldn’t it be lovely to get a lie in and get some rest”. Next morning ...a tree on the line and all trains cancelled so I got my lie in.

Maybe not so surprising for those things to happen in a time of gusty winds knocking out power lines and trees but ......I like to think that my requests for rest were answered.

The second thing is that I went for a walk at the crematorium yesterday. Beautiful gardens with woodland. And I found pine cones, acorns and conkers. My OH was asking me how I knew which trees were which and I was showing him leaf shapes. So we had a lovely walk and watched the season turn just as the equinox was coming.

@Yashmi / Zaphod - thanks for commenting on my earlier post. That feeling of internal reserves / underground water has faded somewhat as more mundane tasks have crowded in. I wasn’t sure whether I had imagined it. I don’t really do Tarot cards (have to look up the meanings) but I was inspired by @speakout’s single card (of The Chariot) and her description of her current situation. So feeling content after my equinox walk yesterday I pulled out a single card (electronically) and got The Magician.

Looked up the meaning and it began ...you have all you need.

It’s raining heavily today and I have ☕️- all is good.

@Stewpots You'll find you'll pick up what you need as and when you need it. A basic herb kit is probably in your kitchen already and I'm sure you have salt!

An ordinary plate is fine for offerings and a wine glass for libations. If you then feel the need for something more fancy then you'll be spoiled for choice. Don't be in too much of a rush - I have been looking for 4 years for the artefact I found last week and it's been worth the wait as it's going to be amazing.

Like others here I find charity shops a great source of witchy stuff - I picked up a book on professional fancy candle making in one this week along with a starter candle making kit. I already have a fair collection of candle making equipment but some more wicks and wax and a couple of additional mould are always useful.

As for scrying - my personal absolute favourite is to use my eyelids. Just close your eyes and focus on the blackness. The shapes will form - no special equipment needed.

GeeIneverthoughtofthat

The Magician- a spine tingle when I read that!

The Tarot is telling you that your interpretation of co-incidences is correct- it is a validation of your power.
How exciting!

Thank you again all. I have an urge to honour the equinox today and give thanks for the spiritual help and guidance I have received this week, both in spiritual and medical terms. Any thoughts as to how I can do this? I wish to send out positivity to a lot of people who are also having a very tough time right now. Sorry I have a lot of rambling questions but I wish to help spread positivity as I believe in karma:

StewPots

Just the act of lighting a candle is enough to honour or mark the Equinox if that what feels right to you.

You can say some words, you can give simply thoughts.

Simple acts can be as powerful as complex ones.

GeeIneverthoughtofthat

And yes the coincidences.

My work is an avalanche of busy work, has been snowballing for the past while- this past two weeks has been crazy in particular but since Thursday nice and slow.

But there is a pattern- and it is to do with my needs, it feels like the goddess knows. And these patterns have been repeated many many times.

For instance-
DD left for University two weeks ago- a big life change for me and not without sadness.
The night she left orders hit me like a steam train, ( I sell online) it was relentless for 2 weeks, I was up early working 9 hours a day, 7 days a week just to get stuff made and posted.
It was exactly what I needed- I was so busy I had no time to feel sad or pine for my daughter- I had to focus on work
Then- Thursday night- calm, I was up to date with dispatch, DS had an interview that afternoon and I took him into town, DD was coming that evening to spend the weekend- I wanted time to support and spend with my family.
Orders have been down to a trickle. since then.
Exactly what I needed!
Meant I was able to spend hours yesterday and today with my family.

However I know- I just know that come this evening when I take DD back to student accommodation that the deluge of orders will start again- in fact I can hear the distant rumble!

I feel that the goddess has a guiding hand in this, helping me.

Thank you for your reply @speakout.

It is a card that, in my very slight use of Tarot, I don’t believe that I have ever pulled out before or really even noticed. I looked at the imagery on the card for myself before looking up the meaning (first time for that too!) and noticed that he had cup / sword / wand / pentacle. I also saw the hands raised to the sky and pointed to the earth and the symbol above his head. It seemed to me a powerful card showing both resources and an ability to use them. As I say, it is one that hasn’t previously come my way so I didn’t know if I had that right or not.

I then looked up the meaning - and it talked of having all that was needed and new possibilities / opportunities. I felt that it was a very positive card for me. But also ...quite calming. I felt quite grounded and that was also good.

This is all very new - I hope that my embryonic take on that card makes sense!

Thank you once again. I'm trying to find out so much information but at the same time I know I need to find my own path and work with my own interpretations of things.

I will draw up a (small) shopping list so anything essential that I may need feel free to suggest!

GeeIneverthoughtofthat

This is The Magician represented in my latest Tarot deck. Thought you may like to see it.

That’s a lovely depiction @speakout.

By a strange co-incidence I had just been about to ask you if you could post a picture from your cards - and there it was!

I remembered as well that in the one I saw there were new leaf shoots appearing, presumably symbolic of the new opportunities. Here the roses are flowering so perhaps more symbolic of something coming to fruition.

I love the depiction of the energy around the head, hands and heart as well as the calm focussed expression. The energy is also lightly around the symbols too I see but not the cat. I imagine that she has an energy of her own! 😊

@StewPots Lighting a candle is a great simple thing to do.

It's also the festival associated with the fruit harvest ( Lammas is the grain, Samhain the Blood) so maybe bake an apple cake or something?

The equinox is a time of shifting energies as the balance tilts from long days to long nights. I'm using today to clear the decks to make space to bring new things into my life.

Good to hear too @speakout that the orders served their purpose in initially keeping you busy but then diminished to allow you to still spend time with your family.

Ebb and flow - like the tide. The rhythm of life. It sounds as if you are very in tune with it.

Hi everyone, and thanks so much for these threads. I’ve been lurking and reading and ordering books based on your recommendations.

I experimented with witchcraft in secondary school, with my best friend at the time, but some things happened which scared us away. Many years later and I haven’t actively practiced but have also never really let go.

I love to brew my own teas, beauty products and cleaning solutions. I surround myself with crystals, candles and cats - the three C’s, if you will And I have a powerful connection with certain spaces in nature. For me, the place I feel the most ‘connected’ is by the sea. You have all inspired me to change my username from something which recalled past difficulties every time I looked at it, to something which inspires and calms me. So thank you

I don’t know yet what my next step is. But I’m reading and revelling, thanks to all of you

Hello everyone. Happy Equinox! Absolutely no doubt that autumn has arrived in my neck of the woods. I love seeing my little boy excitedly pointing out signs of autumn, I think children get these things without even noticing don’t they.

I’ve noticef a few people mention they feel drawn to certain elements up in the thread. I know without having to think about it that my element is fire but I wondered if anyone had any suggestions about where I can go with that? Candles seem an obvious start!

Thank you all for the continuous reminders that little acts are enough. I am enough!

Also really enjoying hearing stories of coincidences which aren’t really. I love finding those little signs just when I really need one. I had a moment with a song coming on the radio with the perfect message the other day and annoyingly I can’t remember what it was now.

Anyway enough ramblings. Hope everyone has a lovely Sunday.