Any Witches Here? Part 7.

[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.

Speakout come and clean out mine please, Dh never thinks of doing it and I can't get at it! I'm very sore today but I'm thinking after 8 weeks of no weight bearing a day of hobbling around like some sort of giant dodo with a broken wing has just shocked it.

Just thinking of it my 2 cats are much more chilled when I put my music on and absolute menaces after.

Elphame your jar sounds wonderful!

Elphame I've just found that other thread you mean!

I saw the other thread too- no surprises there.

I am now in the kitchen again putting together a carrot and chick pea curry into the slow cooker, burning sandalwood incense and listening to Hindu prayer music.
These little extras always make the curry taste better!

I'm just fancying a curry now.

Looking at the contents of my fridge I'm wondering how to turn half a bowl of left over lentils cooked with onions and carrots and vegetarian gravy into something that could pass as a pasta sauce. Any ideas?

Otherwise I'm afraid I'm going to have to go shopping!

Do you have tomatoes and perhaps mushrooms. Is the gravy already added or separate.

Yes I have tomatoes and mushrooms - the veg box arrived yesterday. Unfortunately the gravy is mixed in - basically I recreated DP's favourite mince and onions as a veggie version!

I wonder if I could rinse off the gravy? That would make things much easier!

I always find that tomatoes cover a multitude of sins
That or something creamy but probably not with gravy.
I don't think there would be anything wrong with adding tomatoes to the gravy, we put tomatoes in stews with gravy.

Not trying to teach my grandma how to suck eggs, so ignore if I'm obvious, but nutmeg would be a lovely accompaniment. I use it for sweet and sour creations.

Can anybody tell me where they collect their fresh herbs?
I don't seem to be able to find anywhere.
We live in a town atm but even in the country the roads are busy, fields are sprayed.
I'm finding it hard to find the place that feels right, away from as much pollution as possible and picking them at the right time.
I've been told they have to be picked at a certain phase of the moon.
Anyone who can help?

RomanyQueen1

I grow some of my own, but only have a decent supply in the summer months.

I buy most of my herbs and spices in supermarkets or Asian grocers.

RomanyQueen1 I'll try the nutmeg. I'll add a can of tomatoes and maybe some herbs. Luckily DP isn't a fussy eater!

I'm very lucky as I'm semi rural so I can head out to the hedgerows. Most of the farmland is for cattle and there is an organic farm nearby so we don't get much in the way of pesticides. Plenty of muck spreading though and dog walkers so I have to take care to pick beyond the pee lines. Otherwise - yes what I can grow or blag from friends and of course I have the fall back of Glastonbury which is about half an hour away.

I have had to resort to mail order once or twice - blue lotus is really hard to get hold of!

Aw, very interesting, perhaps I should try growing some more.
We already have mint, and Rosemary.
I've bought from supermarkets before but you don't know what you are getting.
Does anyone know about this picking at the right phase of the moon.
I've heard and read about it, but I never manage to find out when.

RomanyQueen1

Time of picking is not something I personally use in my practice, although I could see that there would be value in working with intents/correspondences.

I think Biodynamic farming may have some advice to offer or Anthrorposiphics?

I found this ( although I do like planting root crops during the waning moon)

New moon: Not the best time for planting or harvesting. Use this period to prune your plants or plan what you would like to grow next.

Waxing moon: An auspicious time to plant – as the moon grows in the sky, so will your herbs.

Full moon: An ideal time to pick herbs and spices – magically speaking it’s a time of completion and resolution.

Waning moon: Perfect for preparing your soil or drying your herbs for long-term storage.

I've heard and read about it, but I never manage to find out when

How complicated do you want to make it? For example I'm about to start a spygaric tincture to run from this dark moon for 6 weeks. It's planetary based so I have picked herbs accordingly.

For example - I will be using nettles picked on a Tuesday ( as the herb is linked to Mars) and at the planetary hour of Mars ( varies every day, plenty of on line almanacs). I couldn't get all the herbs I wanted so I've had to buy some of the 7 I need. I went for organic but they won't have been harvested according to the requirements. That can't be helped and I'm pragmatic about it (I'm also enough of a witch to overcome it!).

Culpepper ( also online) will give you the planetary associations for most herbs)

This to me is taking things to the extreme and I don't generally bother!

My basic rule is to harvest plants where I'm going to be using the upper parts on a waxing moon and if I want roots on a waning moon. You could refine this by picking at the right planetary hour if you wanted to but I almost never do.

However if I need a herb then I need a herb and if it can't wait I'll pick when I see it. I found long ago that if I was too precious about stuff I'd never do anything and ultimately you have to fit the witchy stuff around modern life. If you can only go and pick nettles during your lunch break you could wait weeks before things were "right". I now usually settle for "good enough".

Does that help?

I found long ago that if I was too precious about stuff I'd never do anything and ultimately you have to fit the witchy stuff around modern life.

Wise words.

Elphame

Aw, I see thank you very much. I was finding it hard to understand, and didn't realise I was making it complicated.
I think this will be a problem of mine as I go along.
My family just talk at me and expect me to follow everything.
The Romani have lots of weird and wonderful ways.
They asked me a long time ago if anything strange had happened, I said no as really didn't want to be associated with witchcraft or magic.

Good evening, just dropping in to join you by the fire for a bit with a cuppa 😊
So pleased that everyone seems to be much happier tonight. I can't see the new moon as it's too cloudy, but I can feel her lovely energy. Feels like there's been a real shift today.

Loyaul my friend has a fractured foot and been non-weight bearing for the last 8 weeks too. It must be so frustrating for you. Do you know how much longer you'll be wearing the moon boot?

Elphame Reading your post reminded me I meant to ask you a question about Glastonbury. DS is keen to go in the Easter holidays. Do you know if the shops will be open Good Friday? And if so, is it normally horrendously busy on bank holidays?
I'm so delighted he wants to go! I love Glastonbury but normally end up going on my own.

Speakout your post made me smile 😊 So pleased you've had a good day and feeling happier.

RomanyQueen
Welcome to the thread 😊

I'm relaxing this evening and getting ready for my op tomorrow. Feeling surprising calm about it now. The support you've all given me really helped, so thank you 🙏

Hello all. I am really please to have found this. I felt that I should read previous threads and have been doing so for the last few hours.

To introduce myself, I have for many years described myself as a solitary witch based in nature.

This last year or so I have strayed so far from my path and I am struggling to get back on. I had some family difficulties that saw me cutting ties with some family. Although I know it was the right thing to do, I struggled with anger and resentment for a long time. I sought counselling but always felt blocked and couldn’t really find a way to release it fully.

I did have a beautiful Oak tree in my garden where I would sit and listen to the birds (my garden was always full of birds due to the tree) which helped but last year it blew down in the wind. I really mourned the tree. It was like the end of a friendship.

Anyhow I feel I am ready to refind my way and so I hope you don’t mind me joining you all.

Hi GreenTeacup welcome, pull up a beanbag and help yourself to a favourite brew from our Magic Teapot.

We seem to be attracting people who are looking for a reconnection or new direction in their lives just lately, it's lovely to have this space to share

Welcome GreenTeacup lovely to have you with us. Your story about the oak tree made me feel really sad. Trees have such a powerful, protective energy don't they? When I was a child we had a weeping willow in the front garden. I loved it and used to spend ages sitting and playing underneath its fronds, safely hidden from the world. I remember being so upset when my Dad has it cut down (apparently the roots were spreading underneath the driveway). Where I live now, I have two beautiful big trees in front of my house. They make me feel safe and protected, and I love watching them change with the seasons.

Good morning all, it's wet and stormy here so hopefully I can get some of this energy to help the fairly hopeless attempts at walking!
Welcome GreenTeacup, your poor oak I know what you mean about mourning a friend. Violet we have a lovely weeping willow in our garden and I just love it, I have put a little bench under it and love sitting there in summer while the girls play.

I had great plans for extending my herb garden this year but it hasn't happened with the dreaded knee.

Violet sending healing and solidarity to your friend! Oddly enough I haven't been given a moonboot which I think would make walking a bit easier I'm still in the leg brace which stops at the ankle and I find it really hard to get the knee straight enough to put the foot down properly.

Today I am looking forward to using my own comfrey oil which has been infusing (Dh will be glad if I don't have to buy any more for awhile)

VioletCharlotte

I am thinking of you today and sending strength.
I hope all goes well.

GreenTeacup

A warm welcome to you, I am glad you found the magical kitchen!

Good morning all,

I’m thinking of you today too Violet, sending love and strength ✨

It’s been an eventful week here and I’m feeling a bit frazzled. I spend a while here in the kitchen with a calming tea last night catching up. The tone and content of the discussion always soothes me. Thank you all- it’s good to read your wise musings and what you’ve been up to.

Welcome to our new friends 👋and it’s good to have you back FilledSoda, I’m also sorry to hear of your diagnosis and hope the treatment will help.

Continuing to send love and healing energy to all those currently facing health challenges 💫

I spent a much treasured hour at a nature reserve yesterday with a four legged friend, in the midst of the bustling city. It felt good to hear the birds sing, see wildflowers, be ‘rained on’ by elderflower blossom as the wind blew and engage further in my recent fascination with fiddleheads!

The weather has been much colder and wetter here too and there was snow on the moors not far from where I live in the week. The rain has been harsh and the temperature biting yet there’s something refreshing about it.

I’ve had an answer to the long awaited work question about which direction to focus my energies in followed by a potentially exciting solution to the situation. As can often be the case, something I would never have foreseen. Either way, there’s a momentum now which makes it easier to deal with. I struggle with stasis and not knowing- something I need to work on! I’m grateful for the support I received here about this, it helped me ‘be’ in good faith whilst awaiting direction.

I looked at that other thread last night 🙄

The food talk is making me crave creating in the kitchen- something I’ve not had much time for of late. I’m being drawn to eat more seasonally as I feel more in tune with nature and the seasons. I love food magic

I’m hoping to find some time over the weekend to potter at home, work on new recipes and give the seedlings I have growing some attention. It’s what I need I think.

Love to all x

Yashmis and Speakout thank you so much ❤️ I'm at the hospital now, waiting for my op. I think it's going to be a long afternoon, but I'm feeling really calm and using the time to meditate, read, browse Mumsnet, etc.

Yashmis I'm so pleased you've had some progress in your work situation, I know it was frustrating you. The universe knows what it is doing 😊

Loyaul there's something really special about weeping willows isn't there? They have a lovely, calming energy.

Violet all good wishes for today