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Philosophy/religion

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Any Witches Here ? Part 3

998 replies

speakout · 15/09/2018 18:03

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.

OP posts:
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Elphame · 01/10/2018 14:05

They do sockportal but they are very basic. You get basic card meanings but as you need to interpret the cards in context that is very limited. There are some excellent beginners books around but I'll let one of the tarot experts here recommend one.

BlankTimes · 01/10/2018 14:14

Most Tarot and other divination decks have at least a small booklet giving you the basics.
However, traditional Tarot is filled with symbolism, particularly the Major Arcana so it pays to learn about each card before interpreting its significance in a reading, it's not a get it out of the box and have a go system.

Many of the modern Tarot packs don't use the traditional symbolism, they are more intuitive to follow. e.g. in the first card of the three further upthread, 9 of Swords, I see a woman indoors in a dark, cheerless, cold room, downcast, whatever she was reading is discarded. I can't see what she's got in her left hand, but her cat is trying and failing to get her attention. But on the windowsill, there's a bird singing and the sun is rising over some lush fields.

To me that's saying let the introspection go for a while, look outside your situation, great things are going on so close to you and you just can't see it. If you look at the floor, you'll never see the view out of the window.

If I'd just seen a plain card with 9 swords on, I'd need to look at an interpretation book because I'm not familiar with Tarot (So probably not the best person to advise!) and haven't used a pack for decades, but few interpretation books go into that much detail.

Nowadays, there are literally hundreds of Tarot packs to choose from, for a beginner I'd say choose one that you can see the meanings in easily.

VioletCharlotte · 01/10/2018 18:22

Hi @sockportal I've just bought the Everyday Witch set following a discussion on this thread. They come with a lovely book and a detailed description of each card. I've only had a quick look at them but they seem much easier to interpret than my other set.

boldlygoingsomewhere · 01/10/2018 18:31

I would recommend one that speaks to you and with a decent companion book.

The Animal Totem deck has a great book. Druidcraft is also very good for a pagan path and has brilliant court cards.

If you can afford it, this company make really special decks with good companion books:
eu.baba-store.com/collections/decks-currently-available

The Bohemian Gothic is available as an app with the book so a cheaper way to experience it. Follows the RWS system closely.

Some publishers (Lo Scarabeo) do lots of beautiful, themed decks but the images are often not recognisable compared to the RWS. Best for intuitive readings.

GrumpyOldMare · 01/10/2018 18:38

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.

I do that often.
After doing that one day,I think it was last Samhain,I had to pop into town,I went to get some incense and got told how serene I was and how much younger I looked. I also was told that I had my nan with me. Odd,as I'd been thinking of her whilst up at the cemetery.

Bellecose2 · 01/10/2018 18:53

@sockportal I think you can have your own interpretations of cards too... Kind of like a particular card will always indicate something personal to you. I've had meanings associated specifically with cup and sword cards that don't always correspond exactly to a book per se.

It's risky extrapolating those meanings to someone you may be doing a reading for but you can ask and, if not, go back to the text. Having said that, with any new deck I always make a point of absorbing the new interpretations before I veer off into my own.

sockportal · 01/10/2018 21:29

Thank you for all the advice about different decks. I will have a look at those that have been suggested and buy a set when I find the right one for me. I've learnt from these threads to stop jumping the gun and to find a natural pace.

SeagIass · 01/10/2018 22:00

Has anyone here tried a soundbath? More hippy than witchy I suppose but I do find there’s a lot of crossover Smile

I went to one this weekend. It was incredible. Seems weird to set up bedding and lie down in a room full of strangers while someone bangs gongs at you but it was incredible. Very relaxing. Very...I don’t know how to put it. Grounding? But also like it helped me reach out, spiritually? I’m a solitary woo-er but there was something quite special about being in that experience with lots of other people who were all there for the same reason, but everyone was having their own individual experience.

Anyway I loved it and have already booked to go to another one.

owlshooting · 01/10/2018 22:17

Seaglass - yes I have . I have been to a couple and really enjoyed them. They vary depending on the skill of the person leading the session though.

SeagIass · 01/10/2018 22:21

I’m sure you’re right, Owl. The woman running the one I went to is also the leader of the drumming circle I have joined and she is an amazing musician. She played something called an ocean drum which - as my username suggests - I absolutely adored. I live as far as you can get from the sea, but it is the place where I feel the most power from and connection to the earth. I listen to ocean sounds on my phone a lot but this drum, played in a big hall by a professional, was something quite different!

BlankTimes · 02/10/2018 00:26

We all respond to different sound frequencies. It's interesting to look at other cultures and see what sounds they use, off the top of my head, there are loads more, singing bowls, singing bells, tingshaws, gongs, drums, flutes, didgeridoos, bullroarers, horns.

Sound as a medium for healing, journeying and altered states is quite well-known, see YouTube for different frequencies of sounds usually expressed in Hz to induce different states.

Many of the ancient places respond to different sounds and investigations are ongoing, archaeoacoustics has taken it out of the realms of solely amateur interest. Paul Devereaux' Stone Age Soundtracks is worth a read.

VioletCharlotte · 02/10/2018 08:49

I've been to a few sound bath and really enjoyed them. They've all been different and I've taken different things from all of them. A couple of times I've been quite tearful afterwards, letting go of pent up emotion.

Bellecose2 · 02/10/2018 08:55

I imagine only very experienced, powerful witches can do this but am I right in thinking that once you have harnessed/accessed the power, anything you do with intent (minus tools) can manifest? I'm reading a lot on spell work and a few spells seem to require no props, just thought/intent. When I count those 'few' from various sources, it seems quite a lot.

owlshooting · 02/10/2018 09:15

Bellecose - what are you reading, if you don't mind me asking? I would like to know more about spell work but don't know where to start.
Seaglass, the sound bath sounds amazing!! I completely understand what you mean about the sea too.

VioletCharlotte · 02/10/2018 09:23

Can I ask for some suggestions on how to prepare my new tarot cards for use please? The book that came with them gives a couple of things you can do, but I don't have smudging sticks. Thank you 🙏

Bellecose2 · 02/10/2018 09:48

@owlshooting.... I am such a voracious reader it would be impossible to list all... Most are borrowed ebooks/lending libraries. I began with Wicca spell books and various on line resources. Now looking at a lot of Chaos magick but amongst the rituals, in all types of witchcraft it seems, there appears to be the odd spell requiring no props. That has left an impression on me because, as indicated, when totalled it is quite a number.

Giggorata · 02/10/2018 09:56

Morning all,
What a fab Autumn, that golden sun and the changing colours!
I had a lovely day over the weekend. A witchy friend and I went out to visit a couple of local sacred sites, a turf labyrinth and a well. We trod the maze, which is the pride of the village and well kept; and visited the well, which is more of a secret.. with the dry summer, the flow is quite reduced at the moment, but we still brought some water home, for the altar.
Then we had a glorious walk, picking haws for hawthorn ketchup. Years ago, we went to a gather where we created various tree chants, so we used the hawthorn chant as “payment”.
It was so warm in the sun that we sat outside the village tea shop and later a large group of pagans arrived, having performed their ritual at one of the sites. Nice to see more members of the tribe out and about. Days like these are like getting the last golden glow from the sun, to last us through winter.... Smile

BlankTimes · 02/10/2018 09:56

Violet that sounds (!) like a good experience. We all carry too much baggage around and being able to let it go is a good release.

Bellecose all work is "only" focused Will and Intention. It's how you focus those that determines how it will work.
There's a lot of rubbish written about it, pared down, it's the simplest process. In practise, you need good mental discipline and the ability to see all of the implications you're creating before you go ahead.
Anybody can 'harness the power' what a quaint phrase, doing so successfully takes experience.

Do you remember 'The Secret' and Cosmic Ordering etc. that were around at the turn of the Millennium? What were they apart from a big palaver on how to focus your will and intention to get what you want, (apart from they focused on material gain) How many people around nowadays are saying how great it was and how they have had such a successful life due to using the formula they found in the DVDs and books?

If it was easy to do, everyone would be doing it. To do it well, you need a lot of practise and a lot of analysis if things didn't go how you thought they should. Most people can't be bothered to explore the system, they want instant gratification for little effort. It's not a question of being powerful, it's about being responsible.

Elphame · 02/10/2018 10:04

Ah the old "all you need is intent"! The internet loves this one Grin

Lets just say that I have known some very very accomplished witches indeed and none of them have been able to manifest everything they wanted with or without tools. Some things we are not meant to have.

It is certainly true that you don't need tools but they can help - as well as a few other elements depending on the work that needs to be done

One of the best books on spellcrafting is an old one by Robin Skelton
www.amazon.co.uk/Spellcraft-Handbook-Invocations-Blessings-Protections/dp/0919345212?tag=mumsnetforum-21 -

There is one out recently from Jason Miller which I've heard good things about but although it's on my bookshelf I haven't actually read yet

www.amazon.co.uk/Elements-Spellcrafting-Keys-Successful-Sorcery/dp/1632651203/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&keywords=Jason+Miller&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1538470648&sr=1-4

BlankTimes · 02/10/2018 10:42

Giggorata what a fabulous day out, wonderful to hear.

BlankTimes · 02/10/2018 10:45

A bit of info on Labyrinths for those who've not yet walked one. geomancygroup.org/sacred-space/labyrinths/

GeeIneverthoughtofthat · 02/10/2018 11:19

Just checking in to say hello to everyone.

I’ve enjoyed reading about how to pick a Tarot deck and also hearing how to read the images on the cards.

Thank you for all your thoughts too - some slightly better news yesterday on the ill familiar. It was said to be hopeless on Friday but now thanks to a very clued up Vet the prognosis may be a little brighter.

Bellecose2 · 02/10/2018 11:28

Okay, take your point.

Relieved to hear in a way. Don't like the thought of undisciplined magic. Just thought I'd check with you.

BlankTimes · 02/10/2018 11:38

Candle lit Gee glad you've enjoyed the chat on Tarot.

VioletCharlotte · 02/10/2018 12:10

Gee I'm so pleased things are looking up. Sending out healing energy.