Any Witches Here? Part 6

[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.

Hello all, love and light to everyone here for Imbolc.

@YashmisCrone thank you for your kind words, I always enjoy coming back to this thread and catching up on everyone's thoughts and experiences. And yes please to some of that active, dynamic energy! And yes, yes to this:

'use the energy of Imbolc to clear out any energy of procrastination that's lingering from my winter mindset.'

Exactly what I'm ruminating on at the moment. I have some 'to dos' on my list that have been at the back of my mind for years now, mainly dealing with objects and ties and ideas from a past version of me that funnily enough, keep falling off my to do list too because I've been reluctant to deal with them.

But I've had a growing feeling that I'm ready to deal with them now and I've had enough of loose ends!

Just need some of that active, ruthless energy to do it. I like to try and remember the phrase: If not now, when?

I read that this time around Imbolc can be an unsettling time, a time when we are tested because change can be hard and uncomfortable. It can be safer to stick to what we know and what we always do, even if that's not actually the best for us. And yet I think we all crave a bright fresh start with Spring round the corner.

@queenrollo that caraway seed cake sounds yum. I love those traditions that inadvertently present themselves, they seem all the more meaningful.

@VioletCharlotte I hope your dog's op went well.

@speakout I hope you enjoy using your ice candle holder, even if it didn't quite turn out as you expected!

Have a lovely evening everyone.

Sorry I need to catch up properly but just had a thought and wanted it written down... remember I mentioned a date upthread who was talking about ivf... I've just realised I am staying at hers for the first time tonight and it is imbolc (obviously I knew about both but hadn't really connected them!). Another coincidence... 😬

I love the sound of all this baking.

Not a skill I have mastered!

I love cooking bot baking is an arcane art to me!

Hello everyone, thanks for all your lovely messages about my dog. He's fine, I'm pleased to say, but so much drama this evening!

About 2pm it started to snow again really heavily. At 4, the vet phoned me, all concerned, as customers were saying the roads were really bad. They don't keep animals overnight so didn't really know what to do. So me and DS1 shot straight off to pick him. Snow was coming down really heavily, cars sliding and getting stuck everywhere, whole gridlocked. Proper nightmare! Luckily, we were going against the flow, so wasn't as bad for us as it was for others, but still took 3 hours to do a 3 mile round trip!

But anyway, he's home and warm, albeit feeling very sorry for himself. The experience has gone some way to restore my faith in human beings, as so many people came out in the snow to help rescue stranded motorists, so kind of them.

I hope you're all having a less eventful evening!

snow...

So glad your dog is doing fine VioletCharlotte.

Imbolc blessings sisters

My candle will be staying out overnight as it’s -3 here, with view to naturally releasing its intentions and energy as the temperature rises and spring seeps into our midst. I’m sitting with my patio door open, wrapped in a blanket,enjoying the ice and the flame and shaking up the energy

I’ve also made some of this to welcome Brigid

gathervictoria.com/2018/01/15/rosemary-oat-bannock-for-imbolc/

queenrollo I love the sound of your caraway seed cake!

Hills that photo is stunning! Thank you so much for sharing that 😍

Violet so pleased to hear that all is well now- you must feel frazzled after all the drama of picking him up. So glad you’re all safe

Fitz yes, I feel confident that Imbolc will give us the energy and that we’ll feel the shift where it’s needed. Sending energy your way 💫

speakout it was the conversation we had about our work and holding/feeling energy- you words gave me a new perspective, sparked off ideas I’d like to work on and I felt the fire in me reignite. This in turn gave me clarity for my Imbolc intentions and work 🙏

Beyond what lovely synchronicities. Enjoy

@VioletCharlotte.. So glad he's home, safe and warm with his family xx

The creativity here is so amazing!
Thank you for the gather victoria link, those bannocks look wonderful.
Today at lunchtime I went for a walk and though the snow still lies on the ground and it is very icy, the sun felt lovely and warm on my face; it felt perfect for the first stirrings of spring and Imbolc. The first stems of bulbs popping up through the snow felt similar.

This evening I went for a walk and gathered reeds to make a Bridget's cross. I made a huge one and a much more contained normal size one which I have sitting on my alter with the last of the Christmas candles and Ivy, which will go this weekend.

Just at the right time, my snowdrops have popped up for Imbolc. Soon there will be a carpet of them between the compost bins and the river. The promise of spring ahead. May the blessing and promise of Bride at Imbolc be with you all while the Cailleach Beira still rules the land. ❤️

Bright Imbolc Blessings wise sisters.

rivierliedje

Your Bridiget's cross is beautiful, I will get in some practice before next year!

TooManyPaws Blessings to you too.

VioletCharlotte How is your dog today? I hope he had a restful night.

YashmisCrone Your Imbolc ice candle holder is stunning, I really admire your creativity.

HillsBesideTheSea Another beautiful photograph, I love the colours in that snow scene.
We have snow here too, and the sky looks full.

Imbolc love to my wonderful sisters here. I’m reflecting on how I’ve grown since I’ve been here with you all and I am very grateful for that 🙏

The sky here is bright blue and clear, I’ve just been watching a blackbird hopping around the garden and re-lit my candle. Perfect

rivierliedje I love your altar and the crosses. I really like the wispy ends on the big cross- they look great.

Beautiful snowdrops Paws

speakout thank you. Being here has helped me become much more confident and enthusiastic to experiment with making things. After all my intentions of layering- I ‘lost’ the hole in the middle and ended up having to partly re-melt this one- in the end it was a Vicks vapour rub tub filled with stones to weigh it down that did the trick! As you said, it’s not an elegant process is it?! I quite like that!

Violet hope you and your dog are doing ok today. love to you x

Wishing everyone some Imbolc magic today. The energy’s changing and we’re heading for new growth. Exciting times.

Imbolc blessings to you all 🙏 There's so much snow here, it was a bit of a crazy night. Hundreds of people were stuck on the motorway near us and cars stranded throughout the town. It was lovely to see people coming together to help others though, so many out in the snow pushing cars, 4x4 owners collecting people stuck at the hospital and get carers to work, people bringing hot drinks to stranded drivers. Restored my faith in human nature!

My dog seems a bit brighter, he was restless overnight, partly I think, because he's wearing a cone so is uncomfortable. He's eating and drinking this morning so that's a good sign.

Imbolc blessings to everyone here.
Love everyone's creative energy, I hope to update properly later getting an unexpected visitor shortly although he can have some seed cake I suppose.
Beyond that is a lovely coincidence
Violet so glad your dog is home hope he's feeling ok this morning
Yashmis I love that link and your candle is beautiful
Speakout my ice candle was a complete disaster so back to just ordinary flame ones unfortunately but I enjoyed trying
Hills our snow has gone much to my DDs disgust

Morning!

I've really enjoyed all the images and photos being shared today. So much creativity and appreciation for beauty. @YashmisCrone that ice candle is stunning, loved the idea of wrapping up in a blanket to watch it glow.

Bright, blue day here, snow on the ground. Have been for a wander with my little lot, trying to take it all in. I kept taking photos to try and capture it, but a camera just doesn't do justice to the light and the air. I think snow has to be 'felt', rather than just seen. I love the energy when it snows. I've gathered a little this morning, to rinse my face with at the end of the day. Seemed the right thing to do.

The dangerous roads are not quite so magical though, @VioletCharlotte good to hear you got your dog home safe and sound to recover despite the conditions!

Have a lovely day everyone. I have an urge to do some baking, might have to look to some of the recipes shared here for inspiration!

Hi all, Imbolc blessings!
Just getting ready for our ritual tonight, to welcome Brid, dead excited 😜 and making plans for spring and summer.
Glad to hear your dog is doing well, Violet.
What lovely pics of snow and candles.. I haven't RTFT yet, I seem to have missed loads!

Work and Grannying has been my lot, mainly. 🙂

Violet I love that quote/picture you posted 🙏 the perfect sentiment I think.

Loyaultemelie I like the sound of your seed cake. I don’t seem to have the knack for cakes, seem to be better with savoury things, although the bannock turned out well. I just used milk instead of cream and ordinary flour instead of oat flour- I’m very much a ‘use what you have’ kind of witch! (Which could indicate what the issue with my cake making is!)

Fitz this was my evening last night! Very nourishing if invigoratingly chilly! I’m trying to keep the flame going throughout today and the candle holder is melting into a lovely sunny yellow puddle- a happy accident from my experimental use of saffron and camomile flowers.

I love the idea of using snow to wash your face- it feels very fitting with the transition towards spring- awakening. Would love to hear about your baking if you get round to it

I have the afternoon unexpectedly to myself - which is lovely, everyone will be back at tea time.

I have my Imbolc candle holder outside my patio doors, It is big, size of a bucket, and worked out fine in the end.
I have a big red candle burning, but outside temperature is minus 2, so it won't melt today.

I have collected all my scraps and put them out for the birds, so quite an Imbolc party out there.
Inside I am cosy, making lavender and sage smudge and burning lavender incense listening to uplifiting music.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day.

Speakout an afternoon alone I haven't had one of those for 10 years!
VioletCharlotte glad to hear your dog is eating and drinking, always a good sign
Yashmis seed cake was a hit with a surprising stream of visitors today one seemed to open the floodgates for more.
Apologies for the long post but it's been a special weekend in this house and there's no other people I'd like to share that with than you lovely folks by the aga...

Things I have learned this Imbolc:

1. I can't sew (this however is confirmation of something long suspected)
2. Despite wishing I was I am not very creative
3. Neither of these things matter to an eight year old or an almost 4 year old.
4. As well as putting natures blessings into a ritual the most important ingredients are time, love and good intentions.
5. The best lessons are learned from an 8 year old and a near 4 year old.

Things my Dd1 is learning:

1. There are other beliefs and values than what is taught in school (and actually that's ok)
2. The world we live in is an amazing place if you take time to look around and see what goes on in nature and the cycles of the year (relevant as we are veg farmers too)
3. She can't sew either but between us we had fun.

Loyaul what a lovely post. I think you're selling yourself short though, you are very creative and not bad at sewing.(Better than me!) So please you had such a nice day with your DD.

I've been full of Imbolc energy today. I've been house bound as looking after my dog, so I've taken the opportunity to do some cleaning and clearing. I've had candles burning all day, whilst I've cleared out cupboards and drawers and scrubbed skirting boards and door frames. Everything feels nice and fresh now.

Speakout and Yashmis I'm loving the ice candles. I'd like to make one, is it difficult to separate the two
bowls once the water is frozen?

Thank you again for all your kind posts asking after my dog. He's doing well and spent the day resting, which is what he needs right now.

VioletCharlotte

Sound like a busy day I am glad your dog is on the mend.

Removing the inner bowl.

It's best not tto use water in the inner bowl - although it does need weight to displace . I have used stones or my heavy pestle, then taped the whole thing together while it freezes - it will not look elegant at this stage.
Once the whole thing freezes then take out the stones or heavy stuff from the central container and fill with boiling water, it should slip out easily. I take the whole thing out of the outer mould too at this stage, then put it back in the freezer for an hour or two.

I have been using the base of a 2 litre plastic drinks bottle, cut down in half.
THis makes removal easy as the plastic is flexible and can easily be piulled away.

Loyaultemelie

These dolls you have made are lovely- I hope you are happy with them.

I am sure you are creative, - we need to be compassionate to ourselves.

I could look at all the ways I am not creative- I can't bake, I can't knit or crochet, I have mediocre drawing skills, I can't play a musical instrument, I don't have interior design skills, no flair for fashion.

I don't see myself in those terms.

I have never met someone who lacks creativity.
I know my skills and I do see myself as a creative person, but my glass is half full.
I have green fingers, I enjoy writing, I am a good cook, I have an eye for detail, dexterous fingers, I can model and sculpt, I can take a decent photograph, I can turn a living room into a make believe place for a child....

Creativity can find outlets in so many many ways, whether it's arranging shells on a shelf or telling a funny story, sewing beads on a bag or the way we pick or plant flowers, the way we braid our or our child;s hair, the way we present food or decorate cakes, or create make believe and do silly voices when we read to our children- this is all creativity.

We have all set blocks up for ourselves at some point in our lives, but life is hard enough without throwing rocks into our own path.

Believing in ourselves is fundamental. Finding compassion for and befriending our inner woman is crucial.

I think those are really important points you’ve made about creativity and also about self belief speakout

I have a lot of friends who are ‘classically artistic’- they can paint lifelike portraits, create exquisitely detailed textiles, sew beautifully etc.

I used to think I wasn’t creative because I didn’t have skills or abilities like that. A big part of it for me is patience and attention to detail. I just don’t seem to be wired up that way! My mind loves ideas, acting spontaneously and experimenting. I’m quite mercurial in that respect. But in turn that means I can be creative in conversation, relating to people, picking up on energy shifts. I can cook and make things intuitively but struggle to follow a pattern or pre defined method. I’ve come to value and appreciate this as my form of creativity rather than thinking I’m not creative. It feels much better!

Loyaultemelie

As well as putting natures blessings into a ritual the most important ingredients are time, love and good intentions.

I absolutely love this and totally agree. What a precious day with your daughter- the dolls are wonderful and it sounds like your cake was too!

Violet glad your dog is on the mend. I’ve had the Imbolc clearing/cleaning bug too! I’m fresh out of a herbal bath and looking forward to a good night’s sleep in my lovely clean bedroom.

speakout I love the thought of the birds having an Imbolc party in your garden

Speakout what a thought provoking post, it's really given me a lot to think about as I don't generally believe in myself however seeing the pleasure my dds got from doing that today and seeing how little they cared about the outcome was refreshing** but simply the process.
*
We all have blocks set up for ourselves at some point in our lives, but life is hard enough without throwing rocks in our own path.* This makes huge amounts of sense, I am going to remember that