Any Witches Here Part 4 [Edited by MNHQ]

[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 think that assigning darkness, terrible consequences and danger is part of what stigmatises things unnecessary

I think as long as the person feels it helps them, that's the important thing.

Someone recently told me she KNEW "someone who had got MS from working unprotected with Tarot", of such wild superstition I am wholeheartedly sceptical as I think would any MS specialist!

I know of people who won't do tarot without a protective circle...

I cast perhaps 2 circles a year and then not for my own benefit.

People do over exaggerate the dangers but I believe that the potential is there in some elements of the craft.

You know it's so weird, but my tarot is just taking off (for myself, haven't tried on anyone else yet)

My cards this time were the Fool, the Magician
and the Hanged Man. Basically, go into the unknown, you have the tools, but you're dithering.

Not really open to that much interpretation this time I feel. Not having firm beliefs is possibly what's holding me back...

Thank you, everyone. Good advice, as always.

Evening all!

Just popped in to sit by the Aga and listen. I found this lovely pauper recently in a shop so have started on the festive wrapping.

Paper! Although I’ll probably be a pauper as I liked it so much that I might buy some more.

Bellecose I have the view that as I am such an unshielded empath and struggling with being over whelmed by energy (almost the wrong word but not sure what is really the right word) I am being cautious because I am already attracting unwanted attention thus to practise too much witch craft before I have resolved the situation to a more beneficial position, I fear would open me up to the potential of things that I might not want to experience. It is not stopping me from my journey it is just modifying the route. I am definitely noticing more and more magic creeping into my life but atm this approach is, imo, keeping me safer than if I tried to drive in without addressing the issue that drew me here.

Life has been demanding, chronic illnesses are unhappy. Balance has not been good. I have been neglecting my practice and the thread. I know it was several days ago and the thread has moved greatly on but I wanted to say thank you for the tree conversation.
I have felt the push to get out of the forest, and incidentally other places, but never as extreme as that Elphame. Although my first encounter with Glastonbury was most unpleasant and I could not wait to get out of the town. There are other places that make me physically ill - severe migraine, nausea until I leave.
Yes ancients are a special breed. I had an interesting encounter with one on my trip. Thankfully I was receptive enough to be suitably respectful without too much incident without having had the warning prior, but it is a very useful warning to keep in mind.

Speakout I read your descriptions of your life and your surrounds and they always seem so calm and peaceful. i know they are not necessarily so but it makes me wistful a little for a little less chaos here.

Sorry my memory is as exhausted as the rest of me so I wish you a magical weekend and pleasant days tomo.

Those presents are gorgeous!!

Bellecose2

Re the "dangers" of witchcraft.

I have been mulling this over for a few weeks since we had a negative intrusion on this thread- some may remember.

I don't do the bogeyman from Christian faith.

They can use this figure as a way of whipping themselves but I refuse to recognize or allow that negative influence to condense within my own being.
To do so is taking on someone else's religion.

I don't protect myself when doing spellwork. I want to reach out, reach in and make connections.
Some people have bad energies- but I have yet to see evil as a separate entity.

Part of my town contains some troubled spaces inhabited by troubled souls. Broken down walls, homes, once inhabited by people during the burning times. My town had a vicious reverend in the 1600s.Weekly witch trials. We had whippers on a Sunday morning- paid by the church to flush out those not attending church. I sometimes walk though these places and leave food or flowers for these troubled souls.

The "dangers" are part of the manifestation of other groups imposing their own agenda.
Warnings about Tarot etc- I am not buying into that.

I do protect myself and my home- but that is mostly from people rather than some inherent evil force.

HillsBesideTheSea

Thank you. I do strive to have a balanced life. I have had some extreme hardships in my life, . My teen years were awful and the first part of my adult life unpleasant.
But things changed.
I found stability, I took control. I met my OH late and had children in my kate 30s/40s.

Becoming a mother nurtured me. As I nurtured them I learned how to nurture myself, and it has continued.
I have been a witch or a witch in the making since I was a child- my grandmother taught me the craft- but I struggled to integrate that into my adult life. I felt a little ashamed, guilty, felt the need to keep it hidden. Fear of ridicule and rejection.
It didn't help that my sister and mother became born again Baptists.

But things have changed.
I feel my connection. Like barefooting in soil.
I decided to connect with my power, with the Earth, with my ancestors, with other women. I decided to embrace my craziness, to be proud of my path, not to be ashamed any more.
And to open my heart to abundance.
And it has been filled.
And it has brought me calm and a connection to the source. I share that connection with my closest.

I have been mulling this over for a few weeks since we had a negative intrusion on this thread- some may remember. I don't feel it's been resolved either.

Such a beautiful morning here- what is everyone up to?

I may do some Tarot today, I haven't used my deck in a while.

Vitalogy

Feel free to start a new thread. This is not the place.

GeeIneverthoughtofthat

What lovely paper. Captures the magic of christmas!

Oh, Hills I am so sorry you're experiencing that imbalance. Yes, I enjoyed the trees discussion. I live in a very urban area so whenever I can I love to get out into nature.

@speakout... Thank you for your wise words too. My question came about because I was reading a blog by a pagan witch who was expressing her frustrations, I guess, at some newbies. She was cautioning them against calling up a particular goddess but they dismissed her advice... well, let's just say they made a big mistake! So that led me to thinking more and coming back here for opinions/advice.

I've also been reading a beautiful blog by a Romany gypsy who talks about the tarot so I think it's my way of getting balance. I'm thinking more and more on energy and how much it effects our lives without so many realising... because they can't see it, no more than I can I should add. But, my viewpoint has changed since joining this thread and I understand that just ml because I may not see it, it doesn't mean it isn't there.

I'm glad we can discuss all aspects. It's a balance isn't it? I was so nervous about asking the question because I didn't want to bring any negativity, plus it is so difficult to frame it into wordd, but so relieved at the matter of fact responses.

apologies for typos.... busy day here and I'm in demand!

Have a lovely sunday.

HillsBesideTheSea

I am sorry to hear of your struggles.

Remember that witchcraft can be used inwardly to heal and strengthen ourselves. I see you feel drawn to the forest, such a healing place and we can draw energy from these places.
Use some of your awakening energies to nurture, protect and heal yourself.

Good morning everyone. Lovely, sunny day here. I've just been out for a walk with my dog, I love being outside and close to nature.

Hills sorry you are feeling so drained and exhausted. Do you live / work somewhere/ with people that drain you? It sounds like you need some time to yourself. Are you anywhere near the sea? I find a walk along the beach always recharges me.

With regards to protection, I always open my work by asking for protection and visualise myself wrapped in a golden cloak. I state that I work with love and only work with those who come with come good intentions.

I'm meeting an old friend this morning. It's a difficult one as she's genuinely kind with a heart of gold, but extremely high energy which I find draining. I'm planning a quiet afternoon to recover!

Wondering if anyone can point in the right direction of any groups or events happening in Portsmouth where I can meet like minded people?

Babycham I'm a member of a couple of Facebook groups for spiritual networking in Hampshire. Just on the way out but I'll find the link later. Also, I think there's a well-being centre in Southsea, that may be a good place to ask.

@babycham75

www.facebook.com/groups/1522313374647872/

www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualeventshampshire/

Such a lovely autumn day here-damp, cool, the air smells amazing, the first fragrance of moist wet wood, fecund and earthy, so sweet.

I am glad It has been raining, my newly planted rose bush will have been drenched.
I love how gardening makes me feel so happy when it rains.

A bit of Scottish history, brought about by looking for information about one place and finding lots of other interesting leads.

I came across mention of this place, The Witches' Stone, (wrong apostrophe on the sign) outside the village of Spott, allegedly the site where the last witch in Scotland was burned.
The very worn plaque says “The Witches Stone of Spott. Marion Lillie, the Ringwoody Witch was burnt here in 1698. The stone is reputed to stand on the site of the burning of the last witch in the South of Scotland. Near to this site the Birley Tree stood, under whose branches the local Birley Court was held.”

I decided to see how much info is out there about this site, not a lot, but it just seems such a sad little place, a small overgrown stone surrounded by iron railings in a way that it draws no attention. There's nowhere to park nearby and the road is quite narrow, I wonder how many people stop and even wonder what's behind the railings there, if they ever notice them.

Image www.ancient-stones.co.uk/lothian/001/001/hires.jpg

It's hard to capture it on Google as the road is very narrow, the stone and railings are low and as is often the way with more intriguing things, you can't manoeuvre directly opposite it to get a good view, so you'll need to navigate, goo.gl/maps/cbbVLRqz8UN2

More info from Canmore canmore.org.uk/site/57667/witches-stone-spott
Larger photo canmore.org.uk/site/57667/contribution/witches-stone-spott/4660020720

The University of Edinburgh has a database which anyone can access to research the Witch Trials in Scotland.
witches.shca.ed.ac.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.main
www.shca.ed.ac.uk/Research/witches/
The introduction here has some very wise words indeed, The Internet is full of poor-quality and downright misleading information on witchcraft, whereas there are some really good books www.shca.ed.ac.uk/Research/witches/introduction.html

And to finish with, a mystery, who maintains this place ? inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/travel/witch-grave-maggie-wall-scotland/

I'm in full agreement with you about the quality of some of the information on the internet! I do have a number of books on the Scottish witch trials. There is much less available on Welsh witchcraft trials. It seems we were much more chilled about the whole subject and very few were brought to trial. Even if they were they tended to be convicted of fraud (and probably quite correctly!) or acquitted. IIRC only one "witch" was actually executed.

I always look out for ancient stones and sites when travelling about so I will certainly search out the Witches Stone if I find myself in the area - thank you.

I've decided it's time I tackled my reluctance to work with the fae head on so I've invested in "Elfhames Children" and plan to dive in. I've read other work by the author and have liked it. Her enthusiasm for her subject shines through and is quite infectious. It's time I kicked myself out of my comfort zone again.

I made the green and blue cords needed for the first ritual and compounded the required incense. It does smell wonderful - a mix of frankincense, cardamom, ginger and cinnamon.

Wish me luck! What could possibly go wrong

Good Luck for your encounters with the Fae.

Brian Froud's imagery and descriptions in his books and cards resonate with me a lot.

What could possibly go wrong
I don't think it's a case of wrong per se when working with the Fae, I think it's more that it goes right within their ways of thinking and reasoning which can be so very different to ours, yet things make a different kind of sense when you get to see and understand their ways, as much as humans can.

BlankTimes

Those are useful links, and make for some chilling reading.

I have been researching some trials in my town, women executed for "using folk medicine.

Makes me shudder. The church at the centre of my town's witch trials still stands- gives me shudders.,