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.

YashmisCrone

I love learning new words too- it's such a playful thing to do isn't it.

And yes to horse whiispering too- always a powerful technique.

Luckily all the men I am close to are very respectful of women, but I know not all men are like that.
I have my share of mensplaining and being treated like a middle aged ( which I am) hard of thinking ( which I am not) woman who needs to be told what to do ( which I won't be) when I am out on my daily activities though.

A few weeks ago I visited a car park early one Sunday morning ( supermarkets open 24/7 here) , car park was almost empty. I swung into a space , and got out of my car. I was parked at a " jaunty " angle, but hindering no one behind me I could hear a man - another customer bellowing at me. " Bloody women! Look at how you have parked, what a bloody mess! A right cock up!"

Words to that effect.
I stopped in my tacks and turned to face him. I suspect he thought I would laugh it off, maybe make an excuse, agree with him, explain I was only going to be 5 minutes etc. He was still puffed up like cock of the North.
I walked up to him until I entered his personal space looked him in the eye and said in slow quiet words " Why don't you just fuck off".

His manner changed in an istant. I could actually see fear in his eyes I wasn't obeying the script. He saw I was fearless at that moment. He said nothing, he shrunk a foot in height and scurried off into the store.

That felt so wrong but so right.
He wouldn't have approached a man like that- it was because I was a woman, a middle aged woman and he felt the need to put me in my place.
Well bugger him!

That is usually the case with the teen boys I work with, too, Yasmi, and noteworthy how they interact with the girls in the way you describe. It's a constant theme to empower the girls and engender empathy within the boys. Exhausting but rewarding, working with those disparate energies!

Hope all the witches are well and happy... I’m amassing stuff for tonight's circle, so the place looks as though there's been an explosion in Diagonal Alley.. smells amazing, though.. 😁

*Speakout
*
I love that! I bet his face was a picture!

I find many men intolerable. I can't stand the mansplaining and being talked down to. I seem to be able to repel these types quite well and have perfected my 'fuck off face'. My colleague at work says "oh, you just need to know how to handle them, just flirt with them a bit and they're putty in your hand". Erm, no!

I know one or two men who have a lovely, gentle energy and it's so refreshing.

So interesting about men being more needy- they have lost that connection with the goddess, the earth, for many I suspect severed.
Relating with women allows them to pick up the threads and find small links back to the source.

While for many woman the connection is frayed it's still an easier path for us to follow.

Totally agree speakout, beautifully put as ever

the group we’ve created here- it really values and respects the feminine as the powerful and beautiful force it is without having to use energy fighting against the misogyny ever present in the world we live in.

Here here!

Giggorata

I am sharing your excitement for tonight- how lovely to be surrounded magical fragrances.

So much empowering female energy on this thread, I love it!

Gigg what's happening tonight? I think I may have missed an earlier post. Sounds exciting!

YashmisCrone

That's so lovely.

I am still trying to shake off patriarchial view of women that I was brough up with.
The idea that women are jealous, vindictive, competitive.

My mother still would never book an appointment with a female doctor ( not competent) or with a female hairdresser ( jealous and will always give you a bad haircut).
Patriarchy pits women against each other, casts them as vindictive, competitive, catty, gossiping, unsupportive of each other, just waiting to pounce on each other's man.
Women who have pride, or nurture themselves or want to express their creativity and considered vain, selfish, self centred.

I suspect some of that negative view of women has affected all of us.
Even when we are being supportive of other women and help them to be empowered we still internalise that hostility to some degree.
I know I do, and I work hard to free myself of those internal critics and find compassion.

So tonight I am having a long soak in a candlelit bath.

Just for me!!

Gigg That sounds such fun! I love playing with fragrances.

I spent 30 years working in a very male dominated field - at industry events I'd often be the only woman in the room (other than the venue serving staff which speaks volumes doesn't it).

I soon learned to hold my own and then some. I can still pull out the "what did you just say" look if I need to. Actually many clients (often male) preferred having me as their adviser as I actually listened to what they wanted. Teachers though ugh - male teachers were the worst..... I did refuse to take on some.

I channelled my inner speakout this afternoon and had a browse around the charity shops. No chairs but I did pick up a copy of "12 Black Cats and other eerie Scottish Tales" and a mint hard cover copy of Brian Froud's Faeries for £5. I let my copy go years ago and have been regretting it these last few months.

Going to cuddle up in front of the fire with a glass of wine and scare myself whilst DP cooks supper :)

Gigg ooh, fabulous, there's nothing nicer than the prep and anticipation, is there.

Yashmis, that's lovely and so true

Speakout you're a woman after my own heart.

Elphame wow, what a bargain, definitely waiting for you! I adore that book (and all BF's work) thought I'd nip over to the bookcase where my ancient softcover copy lives to see how long I've really had it, of course, it's not there... I should have known, shouldn't I

Relating to the quote YashmisCrone posted, the collective intention of women can do more than change their own lives, it can change the world. I’ve been inspired today by reading things like this:
A Huge Climate Change Movement Led By Teenage Girls

When my friend recently emigrated she had to let go of almost all her possessions. She gifted me her Brian Froud books. I don't know why I have never owned them! Years ago I bought my sister a BF tarot.

We are more balanced here. Sleep is better etc.

You remember my slight trauma with a different friend a little while ago? I worked a very powerful spell to freeze her out of my life.
This week I received a parcel. An extremely beautiful gift and a heartfelt letter. I have checked with an independent party and what is in the letter is true. I am accepting the apology, it feels right. The energy in the paper feels right. But I am not moving the friendship back out of the stasis I put it in.

Good morning magical sisters.

It's a beautiful spring morning here, a soft sunlight filtering through the tops of the trees.

I always feel a little stage struck at this time of year.
I love the return iof the light and the bright energy it brings but it can feel like a glare, like someone switching on the lights in the middle of the night.

And the light draws into focus layers that we don't pay attention to in the winter months.
I can see the dust on my shelves, the fact the windows need cleaning, my feet need some attention. Invisible cobwebs in the corner now catch the sun's rays and I feel a little overwhelmed that I have to turn my attentions outwards. Maybe it's the inertia og age that makes that feel a little daunting.
I love winter, and this year has been productive on many levels, lots of root and shadow work, but I now feel compelled to turn myself out of my cosy earthen burrow, and as much as I know it is the time, and I will enjoy it it still feels a little uncomfortable.
I guess makes me feel a little exposed, having the glare back!

Anyway, I have no idea if anyone can relate to that- just some morning ramblings!!

I hope everyone finds some magical sparkle today!

This thread has legs! I can't keep up. And I haven't been able to get back since the log out

I'm still here, still reading, & experiencing new growth in knowledge, inner strength, patience & acceptance. I've been missing from life for so long but being on here helps me feel connected to the earth.

I have the most amazing golden sunshine on my face this morning & with the change in wind direction this week, I can look forward to a gentle breeze on my pillow later.

It's definitely Spring. The light has increased tremendously in the last week & I've heard the honking geese going over six times during the last 5 days. I was treated to a morning flypast on Friday as a skein of geese went past the window. (Not in a tidy V or wedge that time). Yesterday I learned that they become a gaggle of geese only when they're on land or water.

Read this article & thought of us here. Brightest Blessings to every single one of you as you go about your day.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/feb/16/witch-ways-knowing-your-hearts-desire-is-modern-witchcraft

Morning everyone. It's really starting to feel like spring here too. The sky is blue and the birds are singing.

Speakout you have beautifully described exactly how I'm feeling this morning. And as always, you're so eloquent with your words. Exposed is the right word. I'm suddenly aware of the dust on my TV. The windows need a clean. Skirting boards need painting. And I'm conscious that I won't be able to hide the extra couple of pounds I've put on under layers for much longer... time to hit the gym!

Enchanters so lovely to hear from you. Sunshine on your face is a great feeling, isn't it? Thank you for sharing that article, it looks really interesting. I'll have a good read later.

Time to get moving now. DS needs a lift to work, then I'm going to visit my Grandma. She's 93, but extremely fit and active with one of the sharpest minds I know!

Hope you all have a lovely, relaxing Sunday ❤️

Good morning sisters,

speakout I love your ‘morning ramblings’ and can totally resonate with them. It actually describes beautifully and eloquently why I feel a certain amount of ‘jarring’ and unease at this time of year.

I also agree about patriarchal programming- it doesn’t benefit from us supporting, trusting and nurturing each other so divide and rule seems to have been the strategy I think. I love not feeling that programming here.

As Kizzy points out- we’re a powerful force for change when we work together. I love that link. Thank you. I think women have often been the organisers and driving force for social change- I’m thinking about women in Glasgow and Edinburgh who campaigned for decent housing conditions in the inter war years and not to mention the way we ran the country during the war- a powerful force. There are so many examples, those are just a couple that come to mind. Patriarchy tries to disperse our power wherever it can I think- we’re a force to be reckoned with!

Elphame I’m smiling at the thought of your ‘What did you just say’ face! I agree, when it comes down to it, many men prefer to work with women. I’m just working on their energetic entitlement. I’m finding it still hiding underneath respect and a ‘commitment to equality’!

Glad you’re back in Enchanters and it’s always good to hear from you. Thank you for the article, I’ll have a read. Really pleased to here that you’re well positioned for solar charging! I loved learning that from you about gaggles of geese

queenrollo glad to hear things are a bit more balanced. Also about the gift you received and the energy it contained. I also think you’re wise to keep the situation at arms length right now.

Violet your Grandma sounds like quite a woman! Enjoy your time with her

I have some Brian Froud oracle cards that I love- I haven’t used them for a while but they’ve provided great comfort and insight through some difficult times in my life.

Just on a fun note and following on from our talk about language and words- I thought this was fun. Surprisingly accurate for me, despite having lived far from where my roots are for many years! I love the magic of the nuance and diversity that makes us all the unique beings we are!

www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/02/15/upshot/british-irish-dialect-quiz.html

Hope everyone has a magical day

Morning everyone, I have a quick question about freezer spells if I may....

I don't want to bring any negativity back on myself (I've had enough of that lately) and I read that can happen? Just wanted to guage your opinions.

Freezer spells are a variation of a binding spell. They are often touted as safe and easy and very "white". In reality they are grey - you are imposing your will ( leave me alone!) on someone else's free will ( I want to interact with you) so they aren't squeaky clean.

The other issue is that at sometime or other you are going to have to defrost that freezer or you need the space...

Having said that I have never worried too much about the blow back/consequences. Sometimes it is just worth it ( and often the consequences of such work are entirely positive) and I also believe that sometimes you pay in advance! Ask yourself how much it is worth to you to get this person out of your life and take it from there.

This rule of 3 thing is very recent and was invented as a sop to make witchcraft more acceptable in the eyes of society when Wicca was in its infancy. I certainly believe in consequences as I've suffered them but as often as not they are good!

Thank you Elphame... I'll ponder this some more.

I also believe that sometimes you pay in advance! Ask yourself how much it is worth to you to get this person out of your life and take it from there.

I think that’s a really good point Elphame, very wise.

I mostly expect that my workings will have some sort of impact on me- like you, I’ve usually found them to be good but I’m willing to accept that sometimes it won’t be so good in the short term.

Like ending any relationship that’s not good for me- it will probably involve some heartache and discomfort for me, even if I know it’s best in the long run. I quite like the focus of having done some work and trusting that situations will resolve for the best in the end to help me through this bit. It’s a bit like letting go of control I think.

Sometimes other things will go ‘wrong’ in my life/feel like bad luck in the meantime but I don’t tend to link them to the work I’ve done, I kind of keep it in a categorised container in my mind if that makes sense

When I did my clearing work last year I felt sad, lonely, lost, angry etc. in the short term but that was to be expected purely from severing connections that I was used to having in my life. The fact that I’d done work to make it happen helped me through, knowing I’d set things in motion for my ‘greater good’