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.

YashmisCrone

Thanks for posting that video- I've just watched the whole thing.
Had tingles up my spine watching the footage from Malta.
A couple of years ago I visited Ġgantija in Gozo- the oldest Goddess temple in the world, built 6000 years ago.
It made a very deep impact on me.

Wow speakout. That sounds amazing- it’s somewhere I’d love to go- one day I will

Mawkish, I’ve read that book recently too. It was very inspiring and really made me think more deeply about this land. There are three groups of ancestors I honour: ancestors of blood, ancestors of the land and ancestors of my path. For some people, all three are the same.

The concept of Sovereignty as female is fascinating to me too.

Can only echo what has been said so eloquently.

I am humbled to be called to this tradition plus to be accepted and welcomed on this thread.

It truly is empowering to learn from such great women. I only wish I'd found you earlier...

Bellecose2

I agree with your post.

I feel humbled too. And totally blown away by the number, the strength, the contributions to this thread.
My life has been enhanced by all the amazing people her.

But Bellecose2 do not underestimate your own contribution. I have enjoyed your posts, your energy, your spark, your ideas, your wisdom.

You have contributed and given gifts to us all on this thread.

That means so much.

Thank you....xx

I agree with you both Bellecose and speakout.

This thread is such a powerful place of knowledge sharing and support. I also benefit from it immensely.

I think the absence of hierarchy or any one voice being seen as the authority gives it a beautiful power.

I learn so much here and and grateful to be able to contribute and discuss freely. It’s a wonderful thing

YashmisCrone

I think the absence of hierarchy or any one voice being seen as the authority gives it a beautiful power.

Yes!!
And echoes that lovely video you posted.

I was going to wait until after the weekend to ask this question, but it seems I may have to make my mind up sooner than I thought.

As I've alluded in some of my posts, I'm particularly drawn to healing. I'm considering doing a Reiki course in order to learn how to avoid taking on another's energy/sickness (something I believe I might be susceptible to doing) I'm wondering what your views are on this... Do you think it could contradict my own development in the craft in any way?

Flying visit from me again, it's been awhile, sorry.

I've been reading though and have made a mental note, you know the sort of thing, must respond to x, must say y, I know the answer to that enquiry, add congrats here, encourage there, commiserate there - and of course, if I was to do all that, it would be a 25 page essay.

Welcome to everyone new since I was here last and hello again to all the familiar faces.

It's heartening to see the realisation that it's a way of life is so encompassing for everyone as opposed to so many things available these days which amount to little more than some sort of club that you join to do an activity together then go home to ordinariness afterwards.

Interest in spells is still quite active I see, for the new folks who want to have a go, try a protection working. I like to do this just before sleep, but anytime is good. Ground, centre and think of your favourite symbol or sigil for protection. Feel it in your hands, (make a chi ball if you know how video here, practise makes perfect.
Watch or feel as it starts to grow, let it surround you and fill your room. You can now either let it fill every room in the house individually sealing all doors and windows, or if you've not got the concentration yet for a long practise, let it float to your ceiling, then to the top of your roof, protecting all under it as it floats. It's up to you how far you want to take it, as far as you are comfortable with is a good starting-point.
I like to do home, then expand from there. You may have a certain place you'd like to protect, see if you feel comfortable doing that.

I've seen this expressed a good few times too I only wish I'd found you earlier... it's a great sentiment but..and there's always a but, if you had found this thread earlier, it wouldn't have resonated with you because the time you found it was actually the right time for you to find it

So much more I want to say but I'm beaten by Time and other responsibilities once again. Equinox energies can be chaotic for me and take a while to settle down. It's great to be part of this thread, it's definitely a place to learn and a place to take solace.
Had a clear sky for the last couple of nights no light pollution here, Orion dancing right outside my window has been a joy to see.

Blessings to all.

speakout

Yes! Like the whole philosophy of ‘Remembering the Goddess’ and also the way the women in it communicate with each other.

They’re all ‘experts’ but there’s no competition (a masculine construct IMO), no ‘boss’ or making each other wrong and it makes for a very powerful learning experience. I love it that we have that same energy here. Back to the power of female sovereignty.

Bellecose
I don’t know much about reiki. FWIW, I see no contradiction and think the fact that you’re drawn to it shows that it’s probably an important part of your path.
I can empathise (!) with being so absorbant of other’s energies etc. Self care, following my intuition and protection practices have been very important to me in initially coping with this and laterly embracing it as more of a gift.

I’m just thinking about The Fool card...

I'm finally delurking ☺ I was thinking about starting a thread myself just before the first 'Any witches?' thread appeared. Great to see so many people practising. Marking place for a catch up read.

X posted with you BlankTimes
Good to see you

Thanks for the video- I’ll be interested to have a look at that later

Bellecose2 Reiki should be fine, I took all the levels a long time ago. They should teach you how to cleanse ground and centre before and after.

The main advantage with it is you don't deplete your own energy when using it, with other forms of energy-work, you can.

Coincidence alert Oddly enough I was wondering about posting the Precepts on here today for the beginners, because looking at a new way of life seems such a big step, but the 'Just for today' mantra makes anything manageable.

At the introductory talk for R1, there was a lot of spin put on how "it couldn't be used for evil like witches do" but I was already aware enough to see that for what it was and let it go. I was there for the attunement because I was interested in this new form of energy-work, not an argument.

If you do decide to have a go, I'd be interested to hear about your attunement, everyone's attunement is different, some people feel little to nothing, some are blown away.

A reflexologist friend could not stop taking on all her clients' complaints until she bought herself a white clinical jacket, the sort you see in hospitals.. As long as she wears that when she's doing a treatment, she's absolutely fine. You may like to try something physical like that, I think sequinned cardigan would be my choice, or you may wish to build up your protection in other ways, from a thin garment to a suit of armour, whatever works for you is the right way to go.

Loving this thread.

Looking forward to talking to you all xx

@Blanktimes
Ah that's interesting you've done all the level. I'm in the midst of re-training in other alternative health fields in which no protection is discussed even though we are regularly veering off into 'healing' modes. I certainly felt I was going into the zone (so did my subject) and that got me a bit jittery because of all I've learnt here. I like that Reiki respects the energy involved..

@Yashmin... Yes, uncanny isn't it that speakout drew the Fool card for me. I truly seem to be pulled in this direction. I feel I'm making up for many years in a career I didn't enjoy. It reminds me too how lucky I am that I am now able to change direction.

Thank you both

Bellecose I know several people who practice Reiki alongside the Craft, one is also a cancer nurse. It shouldn't have any ill effect at all but, again, strengthen your shields and boundaries. ❤️

Thank you TooManyPaws... That's good to hear

That’s really interesting your friend is a nurse TooManyPaws. Does anyone know of any doctors who practice the craft? I’m a final year medical student and fascinated by both energy healing and herbal medicine - trying to work out where to start with learning about both. Hadn’t thought of exploring Reiki!

I am looking for a good book about working with the moon phases from a feminine aspect

Can anyone recommend anything?

Thanks

Just wanted to say hello and welcome to HalloumiGus and *Beautifulseren

I personally don’t have a specific book recommendation seren, I’m hoping one of the wonderful wise women here will come up with something that resonates for you and/or that the right book finds you soon!

It’s good to have you join us

Hello everyone, I have been loving this thread and all the wonderful women contributing. i am learning a lot and reading some of the books mentioned.

i did Reiki training many years ago and have found it to be a wonderful gift to offer both myself and others. I find when i am using it I experience a lot of synchronicity and supportive events, almost like the universe is giving back to me. It doesn't drain me. I also trained in other complementary therapies and find that I am much more drained using those.
Agree totally that the Reiki precepts are a great mantra for life, and if truly applied guide our path in positive ways.
I think protection is really important generally, every day. Everywhere we go we are influenced and affected by other people''s energy, negativity etc. Grounding and protection are vital, but I must admit I often forget to do it myself.
I am very interested in the comments about lighting a candle whilst saying a prayer etc. Also the tradition of birthday candles. I? didn't realise that there is a deeper reason for that, but not sure what it is?

I love the thoughts of self care on here. I’m fortunate in that I’m a distance from when I needed those messages most but I can often feel on the edge of depression returning to me.

Trusting my instincts about what I need is a real focus at the moment - and it’s often simple things.

Today I took a slower walk through a cemetery near my house and paused when it felt right and was rewarded with leaves gently falling on me, a thrush, great tits, robins and a red squirrel. But more than that an overwhelming sense of peace and connection. I thanked them and carried on to have a more peaceful day.

It may not be witchy but I do feel it’s a connection that works for me at the moment.

Just dropping back in and catching up on the interesting discussion.

I have also done some Reiki some years ago and was involved at one time in a Reiki circle. We always did lots of grounding and cleansing at the start and end of any sessions. It was a very positive experience and I have a wee card with the Precepts on it.

I’ve also made the psi / chi ball in the past only I didnt realise that’s what it was! I just wanted a way to pass some healing energies and that idea arose.

You’ve also given me another idea. Some healing energies for the sick familiar. He’s been lying on me on and off all day. Heart to heart.