Any Witches Here Part 5.

[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 want to make sure that whenever I make something it is done with care and infused with positive caring vibes, not a rushed feeling of mild panic

Yes that’s summed it up perfectly speakout. I want to do things well and feel that I have done a good job not just rushed through it all and not given it the right attention.

I decided to finish up on time tonight in order to have a peaceful evening at home. I have also refused any more new work until 12 December and am seriously considering reneging on a social event next week. That way I can concentrate more on getting the other things on my list done.

I’m still going to try the fog again though - it can’t hurt and it would be a useful skill to have.

Thank you ladies, your warm thoughts helped today. I've never experienced such a wonderful first day before. I met lots of like minded people, everyone was so friendly. Without outing myself, the job is for a charity and everyone really seems committed to the charity's aim.

Is it stormy all over the country today? I could feel lots of energy, I feel like something big is on its way.

sockportal

That's wonderful to hear! Thanks for sharing your good day.

Yes, it's stormy here too.

It's storm Diana- or Artemis, the Huntress!!

A new thread! I missed so much of the last one - so busy at work at the moment.

Will try and be around more for this one!

It’s windy here but not too bad. I’m enjoying twilight and dawn walks at the moment. The sky is so beautiful in that half-light - it really lifts my spirits.

Evening sisters,

sockportal
So pleased to hear how well your first day went. It’s a rare and beautiful thing to find work that fits with your values. The universe did indeed have better plans for you

Thank you all for the discussion about about managing our own resources when we’re feeling stretched/ overwhelmed

speakout when you said If I take on too much then I am danger of killing the goose something clicked into place in my understanding. That’s very relevant to me right now too and I needed to look at it like that. I simply will not be able to do my job without my energy being right. I’ve taken steps this afternoon to recoup some of my reserves before I ‘kill the goose’ Spot on. Thank you 🙏

😻 babycat

Sockportal I'm so glad your first day went so well, that's great news.

The storms have cleared where I am tonight. When I came back from yoga at 9, the sky was clear. So lovely to see the stars after days of cloud and rain.

YashmisCrone

Thank you.

It has taken me a while but I see now my forest walks are an integral part of my work success.
As is my yoga class, the many small moments I rake to light a candle, put on some incense, find inspiring music to listen to while I work.

Nurturing myself nurtures my source, my energies.
Keeping that in place is the priority.
Allows me to be more creative, allows me to love more, allows me to find my inspiration, allows me to laugh more, allows me to share my goddess source with others.

My family totally "get" it.
OH will happily wash a kitchen floor or clean out the fridge on a day off while I go collecting pretty things in the forest.
He knows the energy I come back with will be a gift to the whole family.

speakout

Yes, I think it is a long process and that most of us women are programmed to the contrary.

You’ve made me realise that whilst I’ve been getting better at self care, I’ve still been feeling like I’ve got to be some kind of Wonder Woman in doing all the work, running a business, family commitments, holding it all together, taking it all in my stride.

I’ve been feeling like the self care should somehow allow me to be almost invincible in this respect... but no woman is an island, even with all the self care in world.

At the end of the day, in order to connect with my clients and help them have a meaningful experience, I need to produce the kind of ‘golden eggs’ that result from a clear, unpressured mind.

So today I told my (silent) business partner what I will and won’t be doing over the coming weeks. I didn’t feel like failing in any way because the goose analogy really spoke to me of the necessity of doing it.

I shed a few tears of relief afterwards. Interestingly, I’ve had problems with painful shoulders for a few months now. I actually felt a weight lift and the pain ease!

Violet the sky cleared where I am too this evening. I agree, it was wonderful to see the stars

YashmisCrone

Well done.

And you are so right- woman are taught to be martyrs, that self care is over indulgent, narcissistic.
It's not right and it isn''t true.

When we are able to value ourselves we have more power to value others. When we trust ourselves we can trust others more.
When we love ourselves we can love others more deeply, and others respect and love us more deeply too.
It's to do with dignity and strength.

Nurture the source. The rest will follow,

Eh up! ❤️ The Babycat! How is everybody?

Thank you speakout

Yes, it’s all really sinking in on a new level for me. I really appreciate the safe space to learn and grow here

Hello Crafty! 👋 good to see you again

Morning.

It's so stormy here today the wind woke me up it was raging so loudly.
I am up early having a coffee, early morning today.
Work for a few hours, then make some soup, pick up DD from her last day at placement and bring her home for lunch.
Just found out Mr speakout has annual leave today, and monday so a 4 day weekend.
That;s good as I am still busy with work tight now.

I'm off to have a sweet violet " spa" shower now, I hope everyone has a magical day.

my word I had a disturbed night! Some bizarre dreams last night.
I had quite an intense therapy session last night and so maybe it was a release from that.

Smallest has his nativity this afternoon so this morning I will be busy getting all my errands done.

Blowy here, and as I'm in Fenland driving can be hard work as it blows across the fields and onto the roads. One of the other unfortunate side effects of large scale farming and the hedgerows all having being taken out.

Good morning everyone,

Reading through the posts it reminds me of how battered I used to get trying to be all kinds of everything, to everyone. Work was tough and demanding, home life, family, friendships, health issues .. I was burnt out. Now, looking back, I wish I could have had your insight and seen how important it was to just centre my self, take a moment. To realise it doesn't last for ever...

Sometimes I miss the whizzing around but it wasn't the best of times for me due to lack of self care, no time for reflection so you're doing the right thing.

@sockportal So glad you enjoyed your first day and have found something stimulating and rewarding to do.

Too many others to answer individually but love the pics of babycat with her big brother. How adorable they are.

Just checking, but does everybody else see a head in speakout's candle?

Morning all

Glad you had a good first day Sock

Love the cat pictures - mine is not safe around candles. He has been known to singe his tail......

Spent yesterday afternoon at the local breast unit (again!). I do have a habit of ignoring the problem until it becomes annoyingly painful so I'm much more comfortable today despite the bruising.

I'm another who needs to get out. I've skipped my walking too much this week (see above!) so just off to take the dog to see what we can find :)

Have a great day everyone

Hi all, I've been away for a while so need to catch up with the threads. I hope everyone is well, I'm just recovering from some medical treatment (nothing serious at all I hasten to add). Will take some time to catch up now!

Happy Friday everyone, the last day of November.
YashmisCrone I couldn't agree more. We need to get to a mindset of self care time and space not being an indulgence but a necessity.
There is so much conditioning to be undone. Even as a girl living with a ' work ethic' was proper and respectable , religion played a part in this too I think, time to oneself was akin to being a layabout, selfish and lazy.
Sokere I don't see a head but I sense eyes looking out from behind the candle , cats eyes to be specific.
Elphame it can seem easier to pretend nothing is wrong than to make time to get it sorted , I've something similar that I'm putting off because I know a diagnosis will be most likely a guess.
I hope all is well soon.

I actually went out yesterday, with my little guest , buggy and all .
It stayed dry despite the dire forecast and I got a potter around the new mystical shop. I didn't go crazy but got a tiny cauldron and some incense bits. I wanted something safe to burn paper so it was worth the trip.
I've a full days work today and tomorrow and I'm just feeling my annual pre Christmas low mood.
I really dislike Christmas, I find it all so hollow and sad. It makes me think about the children we should have had but couldn't and then I get cross at the enforced ' season to be jolly' rubbish.
After eating and sleeping well I'm falling back into eating sugar and drinking and not sleeping.
I don't know how to snap out of it.
That turned into a whinge , sorry folks.

Morning everyone

So nice to see some blue sky and sunshine after a week of dark cloud and rain. I'm just back from a dog walk, feeling so much better after some fresh air.

Elphame and Inthetempest hope your both doing ok. Sending healing your way.

Filledsoda no need to apologise, we all need to have whinge from time to time. Sorry to hear you're feeling low. I understand exactly what you mean, Christmas is bittersweet for many of us. I have loads of happy memories of Christmas as a child, and I like the decorations and spending time with family. But it makes me miss my grandparents so much. I also have lots of awful memories of Christmas spent with my abusive ex. I try not think about it, but it's still there in the background.

@Filledsoda I enjoy pre Christmas - the lights, buying indulgent foods - far more than the actual event. Usually by Boxing Day I'm yearning for normality and for everyone to go home.

Yes, I can see the cats eyes now.

To all those going through medical tests.

I'm supposed to go out shopping but my little one (4 legs) is poorly so I'll have to give it a miss.

Missed your post... Sorry VioletCharlotte you have bad memories

Pick out the good, dismiss the bad. Don't let a thought become a feeling.

Thanks Sokere. Hope your four legged baby is ok (dog or cat?)

FilledSoda

Stick with us over the festive period.

Watch the magic unfold.

We are all adults in he family, christmas is no less magical.

I am sure that many of us here will help you find a tiny piece of Yultide magic!

I'm glad it's not just me who has low mood around this time of year. I'm introverted and find Christmas quite draining from all the socialising required, and I also struggle with the lack of daylight. It's dark when you get up and then starts to go dark around 3.30pm. I'm definitely a spring/summer person.

I found that I was not enjoying Christmas at all. The anticipation for one day, which is always a bit hollow here because of the arrangements with my ex and our son.
I decided to reframe it. So now I actively embrace the lead up, do christmassy things with the boys and enjoy the foods and drinks (mulled wine or sloe gin) through the whole month. I have completely removed the emphasis being on the day itself - aside from making it magical for our youngest son.
A particular friend and I (200 miles apart) exchange Yule gifts which we open on Yule and I have little rituals just for me on that day.
It has transformed this time of year for me. I wish I had found my way to this sooner.

ManicUnicorn

I understand.

I have had bereavements close to christmas too. ( OH and Father).
And I understand about the dark.
And the socialising!.

The socialising you have some control over- I am an introvert too, and need to limit my socialisation to stay sane. I do very little "required" socialising.

The dark is an interesting one.

I don't dismiss those that struggle with lack of light, but I think many of us go into a different mode, more introspective, less energetic, we need more sleep, less inclined to do activity.

Like a big old bear.

Like our ancestors.
A time for flame gazing, for keeping warm, for reading, for exploring our inside being, to withdraw.

Perhaps a low mood is part of what we need to get us through these months?