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.

Violet The first thought I had as I read your reading for me was “Wow, it’s as though you were in the room with me discussing this!”

Hills I know you have the ‘gift’ of prophecy/foresight that must be very difficult to be with sometimes. I’m hoping you will find and on/off switch for it somewhere along your path so you can just receive these things when you want to.. In the meantime self nurture and comfort seems like a good strategy towards calming the tempest a little.

I think the green witch cards are very ‘you’ btw- I can see why you’re drawn to them.

speakout I hope you’re sleeping soundly by now and have a restorative night.

I think those are very sage words about when it’s best to let your dream mind do what it needs to do.

I’m predisposed to seek meaning in everything and i’d do well to remember that. I guess it’s about self trust to an extent..

BlankTimes your posts often give me food for thought, interesting wormholes to explore and also make me smile. Thank you for that 🙏😊 You’re right btw- there’s big change afoot in both of the scenarios I can see as possibilities.

Loyaultemelie I feel your pain with the paperwork mountain! I’ll be spurring you along as I continue to drag my way through mine! Stone circle visit sounds like the perfect incentive to keep pushing through

Yashmis - oh, it was all very low key and simple. I’ve been doing a huge amount of reading to try and see what resonated with me. For a small regional area, we appear to have a pretty good collection of introductory witchcraft/pagan books in the local library. DS1 had to be at training for 7am so DS2 & I went to the local farmers’ market after we dropped him off and treated ourselves to some lovely bread, fruit and plants. I used the bread (I wouldn’t wish my attempts at home-made bread on anyone!), fruit and some local wine as part of my ritual and was rewarded with a lovely rain shower.
We were hoping to have a walk through the nearby sunflower fields, but I got a heartbreaking email from school that one of DS1’s close friends had died suddenly, so we spent the rest of the weekend hugging, talking, crying and generally nurturing each other. He’s only 12yo and this the first time he’s lost anyone close to him, so it has been a difficult few days but I know we will get through it.

Hills - I’m really useless with tree identification. I will try to get a closer photo of the leaves or ask one of the gardeners next time I go by. Hope you are feeling okay after your unsettling dream.

Violet so glad your dog is doing well.

Fitz great analogy for decluttering. I really do feel fresher and freer after a good clear out, both in myself and in the house (says the woman who’s had a bag of stuff for the RSPCA op shop in her boot for a good few weeks now )

queenrollo hope all went well with your son’s surgery. Sending you both peaceful, healing thoughts. Please remember to try and find time to look after yourself during his recovery – you will be better able to help him if you are strong and well.

Wishing you all a wonderful evening.

Hills I have had the green witch tarot card amazon tab open for days, also reluctant to buy but more because I'm trying to tighten my belt and DH bought me a new deck for xmas (which is identical to the deck he bought me 20 odd years ago) but the cards just don't feel right, I would never tell him that though. I keep drooling over the green witch cards, they are so beautiful. I've survived a few decades with one deck so I'm sure I don't need them.

I spent some time today sowing vegetable seeds, a welcome break from work/computer screens. Even with the cold snap, I can feel the Winter draining away and the lightness of Spring waiting to take it's place.

Good morning all,

Just thought I would pop along and catch up with you all. This thread moves so quickly and I am pushed for time but wanted to let you know I am still here and fascinated by your posts. You all have so much going on so sending positive energy to each of you and hoping that it helps with your individual situations.

My energy has been low this week. I can't really put my finger on why this is. This evening I am taking a friend to the theatre. I actually would just like to curl up in bed but my friend has been having a hard time recently and I know this will be an ideal distraction for her. I will enjoy it too, if only I can manage to keep my eyes open!

I'm looking forward to the weekend already as it should be a fairly quiet one so I'm hoping to give myself some tlc and time to re-energise and refocus.

Blessings to all

Snowing here again. But that kind of icy, painful, not making the world look pretty kinda snow.
I had a thought, going to let it percolate through my subconscious today. It was a thought about all of the stuff that I am struggling with and self care. And that perhaps coming to terms with all the things that I can do or I have happen (and have had for decades because none of this is new) is actually acknowledgement of who I am and that in itself the coming to terms with the abilities and how to 'control' them is in itself an act of self care. That in order to properly nurture myself I need to work with rather than ignore these things.

Along with all the other stuff that we discussed yesterday because that was just stating the truth about things that are needed.

HillsBesideTheSea

I think we also have to be a little ruthless in terms of self care.
Women are so conditioned to put everyone else first, those who do stake a claim are veiwed as selfish, lazy, self indulgent, prima donnas, divas, slatterns etc.

My mother has invited some church elders around tomorrow.
Totall fine- we have an extra downstairs room that she can entertain and talk with them. I am happy to buy provisions,
biscuits etc.
But she wants me to play hostess.
And serve- no one makes hot chocolate the same way as I do . Apparently.
I have accommodated her in the past but I can see she basks in the dutiful daughter thing, watching me serve everyone, remove plates, fetch glasses of water etc.
But this week I am far too busy, and told her I won't make anything or serve. It's really not hard to pimp up some hot chocolate with some spray cream and a crumbled flake!!
Now she is in a strop and off to town.

She is arranging to meet them out somewhere instead.

In this case my self care means I am saying no to entertaining her bible study group, and the result is my mother isn't happy.

Well at least I can stick on some incense this afternoon while I work.- so it's all good!!

Good for you @speakout
I'm still reading plenty and starting to gather items I like for my alter. I've got a big wooden box I'm going to use to store items in and really enjoying taking my time and waiting for items to speak to me before choosing them. I've also been reading about the spring equinox next month. My daughter is struggling a lot emotionally right now and we are trying to support her but equally it's having a big impact on our mental health to see her in pain. The idea of new beginnings and also embracing a child like spirit feels like it's just what she and I both need.
We don't intend right now to join a coven (and couldn't right now anyway of course) but I'm a bit confused as to whether we can perform rituals together when we want to, each using our own alter if that makes sense? We want to collect purified water together and share it for example and that feels fine but I'm not sure whether to be a solitary practitioner means doing everything alone?
I hope that makes sense. I didn't get much sleep last night but at least it gives me more time to read!

Must be the day for it speakout!

Ruthless in terms of self care sums it up well here too. I started the day with a ‘disagreement’ resulting from me refusing to play my ‘expected role’ No time for it, I just don’t want to do it (be it) and I won’t be quiet about it either!! Strop all you like, I’ve got things to be getting on with was my feeling on the matter! Well at least I’ve created some space to get on with it

mamuciana those sound like lovely ways to celebrate Lammas, thank you for sharing them, I love to picture everyone going about their witchy ways- it makes me feel more connected. Although I’m very sorry to hear about the tragic death of your DS’ friend. What a big thing to have to deal with. Sounds like you’re giving him just the nurturing he needs right now

Hills I think those are very wise thoughts you’re mulling over. It’s exhausting to to be at odds or fight against part of who you are. Acceptance sounds like a great thing to work towards.

Good to see you littleninja, I hope your energy is soon on the increase. I’ve found it helpful to just notice where my energy levels are and see the natural ebbs and flows- that way it doesn’t feel all bad when I’m in a ‘slump’.

MrFMercury I don’t really go by rules or structure and think it’s absolutely fine to do what feels right in terms of rituals and practices when it feels right and with whom you feel right with. Sounds like stating the obvious I know but you don’t have to adhere to any rules that don’t resonate with you. A big part of my path has been learning to trust my intuition.

Lapetus

I can feel the Winter draining away and the lightness of Spring waiting to take it's place.

I love that I planted some herb seeds yesterday.

queenrollo continuing to send positive energy to you and your DS. Hope it’s going as smoothly as possible

I actually cried this morning because although I know plenty of people to stop and chat to. I don't even have one real friend! I only seem to attract users/people with severe problems (of their own making), I keep these at arms length because they drain me emotionally and time wise. I cannot believe that a genuinely nice person struggles to attract friends of a similar nature! My husband said it's my fault because I'm too nice!

@speakout I'm a reiki practitioner. It is possible that the future you, sent reiki healing energy to the past you. To help you heal.

Love and light.

I'm not sure whether to be a solitary practitioner means doing everything alone?

Not at all. Most practitioners mix and match- some of my work is solitary, some with a couple of like minded friends and some full on coven work. All are rewarding in different ways.

The only thing I would say is that if you are working a joint ritual with her then just use one altar, or create a temporary one for that particular working. The altar is the focus of the work and if you use two then you risk splitting the energies. Essentially you'd each be working solitary rather than as a pair.

margot3 it sounds like you need to learn how to protect yourself psychically. You're right, being too nice will attract users while being continually open will attract psychic vampires who just drain your energy. Value yourself and protect yourself. Mirrors can be used to reflect emotions and harm back, or you can visualise yourself in something like reflective armour - I see myself as surrounded by a reflective silver bubble. There are plenty of books out there on psychic defence but the gold standard is still Dion Fortune's book, even if it is coming up to a century old.

Re the antlered dream people a couple of pages back, have a look at not just Cernunnos but also Elen of The Ways, a British goddess returning to knowledge. Ellen Sentier has written an interesting couple of books on her.

You know @YashmisCrone I posted and about twenty minutes later thought, trust your own intuition! I like that there's no one path of set of rigid rules to try and adhere too but it feels a bit intimidating too.
@Elphame that makes a lot of sense and is the kind of idea I need to get my head around. As soon as I read it, it made sense so thank you

I was about to give up on my poinsettia. It has started dropping leaves more consistently and is looking really rather poorly. But as I moved it to put it somewhere to be enjoyed on its way out I discovered it has leaf buds regrowing leaves it has dropped.
Totally irrelevant but also totally symbolic.
Needless to say the poinsettia has been returned to its spot and receiving gentle neglectful care and attention.

Hello everyone I'm going to have a proper catch up and see what you have all been doing in the morning but came to put my leg up by the aga before I attempt to bum shuffle up to bed having broken my knee today. On the (slightly plus) side the lovely Doctor liked my wand pendant necklace I happened to be wearing and is interested in runes which killed the time it took to plaster my entire leg from thigh to ankle.

Loyaultemelie
Ouch, you poor lass, so sorry to hear.

Comfrey's common name is knitbone - some isn't suitable for drinking so do research it thoroughly, don't want you poisoned as well! and topical application is out for now because of the cast.
I was thinking more along the lines of using it say in a pouch imbued with intent if that chimes with you?

@Loyaultemelie on no! I hope you're not in too much pain?

@TooManyPaws
Thank you for your advise. I shall have a look for those books.

@Loyaultemelie sorry to hear about your knee. Sending you reiki.

@Loyaultemelie reiki might not be as effective as Im sending it to your username. I normally work with real names/photos.

@loyaultemelie Ow! Sorry to hear about your knee; hope you feel more comfortable and a bit more able to move around soon.

Comfrey is excellent for wounds and bone problems but must be used topically. It was available in various oral forms for centuries but more recent research shows liver problems and cancer risks increase so most of Europe bans oral preparations. I certainly found it very good and helpful when I had a joint fused - as long as you keep it away from open wounds. As you can't apply it topically just yet until the plaster is removed, I wonder if adding it to an incense would be useful?

And on the more practical side, have you been put in touch with the local Occupational Therapy department, whether Health or council? I got various items lent to me to help while I recovered including a bath board so I could sit to shower, a perch stool, a picking up thingie, and a trolley.

Thank you all! BlankTimes I had success with comfrey years ago topically but it hadn't occurred to me to try a pouch I love this idea.
Margot thank you I appreciate the reiki, my username is very close to my heart so that should help.

Ah Toomanypaws incense is a great idea thanks

Ouch Loyaultemelie

Hope you’ve had a comfortable night. Sending healing thoughts x

Hi all,

Sorry I've not posted much, need to catch up the thread really, got numerous things happening personally and don't want to bring the thread down with negativity x

Loyaultemelie

I hope you are feeling comfortable today.

BartonHollow I hope you are feeling brighter today. Please feel free to visit when things are tough, there is always some of us with energy to spare.