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.

Good morning,

It’s turning out bright and clear here too. It’s hard not to feel an Imbolc energy with days like these. Although if last year was anything to go by the depths of winter could sweep in later on. Very mild where I am now.

speakout that’s lovely about the birdsong. It’s such a treat to hear isn’t it. Not very exotic but the cooing of a wood pigeon never fails to soothe me.

I’m due a batch of soup soon, I haven’t made any for a while. I made aubergine and lentil bake with a big green salad last night- just what my body was requesting!

Medjuel lovely to have you join us

Good morning everyone.

Yashmis lentil and aubergine bake sounds delicious. Would you mind sharing the recipe?

Medjuel what you describe is exactly what I experienced. It was a wonderful feeling. I'm going to my spiritual development group tonight, so will speak to my wise, medium friend about it.

Violet here’s the recipe. I used more lentils (a whole tin of black beluga lentils because it was what they had in the co-op!) and seasoned well. I like to find recipes that I can freeze portions of for days when I don’t have so much time.

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/layered-aubergine-lentil-bake

It’ll be interesting to hear what your friend’s thoughts on your experience are

While I’m thinking about it, Sokere here’s the stroganoff you liked the sound of- very quick and easy- small portion size!

www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/one-pots/15-minute-mushroom-and-tarragon-stroganoff/

I’ve only recently returned to trying out recipes. I used to be a much more intuitive cook. Having got out of the way of cooking ‘properly’ I’m finding researching recipes helpful for getting me back into the flow of cooking!

Hope there’s some magic in everyone’s day 💫

Yahmis - thank you for the welcome

Violet - it will be very interesting to hear what your friend has to say about the feeling of being held.

I have very limited access to the internet, so wish you all a lovely weekend.

Violet, I’ve had something similar. In my case it was more like being wrapped in a soft, warm blanket and feeling overwhelming love. It happened when I was at a very low ebb and gave me the strength to carry on.

Boldly how lovely, sounds just what you needed at the time. This felt just like I was being hugged close by a person. And I wasn't feeling low at all at the time. It was just lovely.

Medjuel I'll let you know what she says. She's an amazing medium, she's in her 70s so has years and years of experience. She's a real inspiration.

Yashmis thank you! It sounds delicious. Aubergine and mozzarella are two of my favourite foods. I like to cook stuff I can freeze too. I'm vegetarian, but the boys aren't, so batch cooking works well for me.

I've been searching for back lentils everywhere! Need to find a big co-op. Ours is hopeless, more expensive than Waitrose and limited product range.

Witchiness is returning - a ritual on Weds went not according to plan. She who was meant to be evoked had Her own ideas....

And today I planted some cactus seeds with the intent of them growing into a protective barrier. Next step is to place some small mirrors in the windows facing our obnoxious neighbour.

Thank you YashmisCrone for remembering (and reminding me ) I wanted to try that recipe x

YashmisCrone

Thanks for the aubergine recipe.

I adore aubergines. So delicious, the most amazing texture.

Yes it's Imbolc energy I can feel too.

I love it how my witch friends are as interested in food as I am! It’s nice to be able to share and an important part of self care I think.

For fellow aubergine fans- I really enjoyed this recipe, I made it with the swede puree (well more of a mash really)

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/aubergine-lentil-walnut-ragu

It was a big co-op Elphame Suma brand if that helps at all.

I love the sound of your cactus/mirror work. The red berry protection charm I made under your guidance from an earlier thread is hanging by the front door here and is doing its job well.

Hope everyone’s had a good day. I’ve been city bound today so no lovely walks down the river. I did, however manage to pop into tkmaxx where I treated myself to an Elemi (an essential oil I’d never heard of before) and bergamot candle. It smells wonderful

speakout

One of my Facebook friends shared this today- I thought of you

ashleycowie.com/new-blog/the-sacred-geography-of-scotlands-first-goddess?fbclid=IwAR1R5cbdQ15OgbCyDThQchWu08Xq5pHZuARaeG-XRkZQukXS6VFGBTlKNa4

YashmisCrone That is a great link thank you. The public Candlemas ritual is to be built around Bride so it fits in really well with some of the research I'm currently doing

Elphame Oh good! I’m glad it’s useful. A lot of what’s discussed here is new to me so I’m never sure.

I found it really interesting. Being here is making me realise how much I have to learn!

I think I’ve always been comfortable and naturally predisposed to certain elements associated with witchcraft- linking with nature, tapping into signs, the elements, animal totems (I don’t know if that’s the right term) following my intuition, knowing and being able to harness my power, correspondences (herbs, colours, stones etc) and have enjoyed and been successful with rituals and spells. That’s not to say I’ve taken it lightly or disrespectfully, but somehow these things feel like a natural part of me- heredity in many ways. My mum was telling me that we have Romany ancestry and that her family were known as ‘cunning folk’ so in that maybe explains in part how it just feels like a part of who I am.

On the other hand, I’ve never studied any particular school of witchcraft, and don’t have any great knowledge of deities. Whilst archetypal energy is something that really resonates with me, sometimes I feel very uneducated in this way! So it’s lovely to expand my knowledge here and have my interest sparked by things people share- like speakout and Cailleach. I’m not sure I’d have read that piece with so much interest if speakout hadn’t shared her experiences of working with Cailleach energy. I think that’s how it feels real and relevant to me.

I’m reflecting on which direction my path will take, and am keen to learn more. So many fascinating things to find out about!

I’m very grateful to be able to learn from you all in this way. It’s endlessly fascinating and exciting. Such wise women!

Hello everyone catching up after being floored the last few days just felt so ill. Back on my feet, more or less and looking forward to a rare weekend off as a family and going away tomorrow until Sunday evening to the north coast.
Loving all these recipes! I'm veggie and absolutely adore aubergine 🍆

Clearly so does my phone because it puts an aubergine at the end of that, apologies

Good morning magical friends.

YashmisCrone

Your post struck a chord with me- I too have magical influences from family members- my paternal grandmother was Romany too- I didn't get the chance to meet her unfortunately, but by all accounts she had a big heart, tending injured animals, taking in stray, animals and foundling children.

I don't get too hung up about the "right" way to walk my path. Written records for magical practices from the past are rare, information is sketchy, and we have only a few peces of the jigsaw.
Practices vary geographically and would have varied from family to family. so no one can claim to have an accurate picture of what this pagan world is all about.
Neo movements do have initiation, guidance and structure,
Some people like that, but I don't think it is necessary for everyone following a magical path.
I prefer to work alone and walk with intuition.
I use correspondences, but only if they feel right and if my heart is drawn to using other ideas I am happy to do that instead.

Trust your intuition- that's what it is all about really. By all means read, there is some great information about magical techniqes and it is interesting to hear what works for others. I take what I need from that.

Working with archetypes is a long slow burner of a project for me.
It's not something I push or force, but on ocassion something will pique my interest and I have to know more.
This winter it has been the Caillach that has me in her teeth.
I have researched her before ( probably since hitting menopause!)
Every time I revisit a deity my understanding deepens and the energy work becomes stronger.
I haven't worked with many archetyes, but over the years have come to know some= Freya, Persephone, Artemis, Hephastios, The Green Man, Brigid. Kali.

i don't really mind which tradition archetypes come from, I can relate to many of them- thay are after all refections of humans, and we share that worldwide.

Last year I worked a lot with Brigid, and now that Imbolc is approaching us I will probably turn my attentions to her in the coming weeks.

And thank you for that article, there is not much written about the Caillaich, so I am grateful that you posted that.

Hoping everyone has a magical sparkle in ther step today.

Speakout and YashmisCrone.... Your conversation has helped me so much. I've been holding back asking questions about deities but it's an area that confuses me. I always wanted to know how traditional witchcraft viewed Deities.. do they worship /evoke /invoke. Are they regarded as psychological archytypes and so on.

I think my lack of understanding/ knowledge is blocking me from progressing further and I've found it difficult to find books that answer this question, so thank you both so much.

Also, I'm not sure if I've caused this in some way but I'm experiencing a lot of turbulence. I have had a lot over my lifetime and, quite frankly, I don't want it back again. Any tips on how to restore some calming? I've been wracking my brains to see if I've done anything to bring this on my self but I can't think of anything. I wanted to feel more gratitude is about the only thing I may have done differently.

Sokere

Deities /archetypes can be used in any way that you are comfortable with.
For me they are part of the internal divine- which exists in us all. So when I work on a certain deity or evoke then I am stirring or working with myself.

Letting go of my need to rationalise or follow any rules has allowed me to work with deities in a far more meaningful way.

I read about archetypes, I draw, read and write poetry, read myths, listen to music, meditate, honour, give blessings.
In effect I do what feels "right".

I really don't like rules, and anthing that tell sme how I should be working with my personal or indeed external divine gets my hackles up.
My way is my way.

Sokere

I too have had a lot of turbulence in my life, but a lot less so since I started to steer rather than be buffeted by the winds of others.

Nurturing my core has helped me. Accepting myself for what I am- not to everyone's tastes- but that's fine.
Being kind to myself.
Learn to extend the same compassion to ourselves that we give to others.

This makes me feel grounded. I can feel my roots dig in deep and when strong winds blow I have the strength not to fly off in the wind.

It's a journey though- I still hear that inner critic saying things to me that are not helpful, but I can recognise and take control of that.

We all have such amazing gifts. Be kind to yourself.

Thank you. It is so helpful to have your perspective. The craft is such a wide ranging subject that its difficult to know where or even if I fit into it.

Regarding the turbulence, I seem to have been a victim of ill will /anger/bad luck since the new moon . It is making me appreciate the life I had grown into. Then it hit me, was this the natural outcome for wishing gratitude? (I was grumpy, miserable and feeling sorry for myself after xmas and wanted to shake that off) If so am I able to reverse something? Is the acknowledgement enough I wonder. Thank you xx

traditional witchcraft viewed Deities.. do they worship /evoke /invoke. Are they regarded as psychological archytypes and so on

I'm quite the opposite from speakout in this regard. I am a hard polytheist. I believe that there are deities and in most cases they are distinct individuals. This is a fairly common viewpoint amongst trad witches.

Most Trads do not worship our gods but we honour and work with them. They need us as much as they need us. I will both invoke and evoke as the occasion demands - although occasionally the choice is taken out of my hands!

Part of the confusion is that "traditional witchcraft" has two distinct meanings. I actually fall into both definitions as I practice traditional witchcraft in it's folk magic meaning and Traditional Witchcraft in the Cochrane sense. The difference is usually indicated by capitals or lack of!

I'm not sure where I stand in relation to Deities . I get headaches just thinking about it.

I'm leaning more and more towards a divine light/energy but I don't see that fitting in with Paganism or Trad. I'm also considering that I can't actually call myself agnostic any longer. I do actually believe... in something out there, just don't know what. I believe in the after life about 80% of the time. I'm not atheist anymore. At least that's something I'm sure of.

Thank you Elphame. I always love your posts. You are amazing.

Hello all. Really enjoying reading all the posts. It's so interesting to listen to so many different ways of looking at things. My pathway is more of a spiritual one. I work with spirit guides. However even though I wouldn't call myself pagan, I follow the wheel of the year and celebrate each of the festivals in my own way, and I'm very much drawn to the magic of nature.

I think it's fine to do what you feel is right. A few people I know through the spiritual development groups I go to get very hung up on what's right and the proper way of doing things. I take the bits that feel right to me and I'm comfortable with that.

Had a lovely night at development circle, amazing energy. Came home buzzing and couldn't sleep for hours! I'm going to Avebury again today. My friends never been so wants me to go with her. Hope you all have a good day ❤️

VioletCharlotte

Yes it is amazing to see the variety of pagan paths.

I totally agree in doing what feels right. To me a path is about empowerment and immanence.
In a culture that has so many power systems that seek to control , judge and direct us - expecially women- this is a path where we can take back control and find our own energies.

Ah, the Cailleach Beira! Much revered in our initiatory clan, striking the earth with her hammer to bring forth winter. At Imbolc we welcome Bride and at Beltane Bride wins over Beira, the Hag of Winter, to usher in summer. She's the tutilary goddess of a painter friend of mine who has done some amazing paintings of her. I have an outline print of Beira done by another clan member - my ex once asked if I were the model as the outline shape was so similar to mine. 🤔

You might enjoy this book:
www.johnhuntpublishing.com/moon-books/our-books/pagan-portals-cailleach

Moon Books' Pagan Portals series is brilliant IMO and well-worth browsing through. They're around a 100 pages or so but very interesting by authors mainly in the UK so not US-centric like so many introductory authors.