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.

Glad you're feeling better Speakout. Hopefully you're over the worst and can enjoy the rest of the bank holiday weekend.

Little Owl the energy is a little odd on Good Friday isn't it? Not quite sure what it is about it though. I live that picture, is that beach near to where you live? If so, I'm envious! 😊

Lacy I'm intrigued... what's Witch casket?

CircumzenethalArc welcome, lovely to have you with us 💕

I've had such a fabulous week off work, it's all been fairly low key, but it's been so special as I've managed to catch up with so many lovely friends and family, doing all the things I enjoy best - dog walks, going to the seaside, yoga, spiritual development groups. I'm feeling very blessed this evening and full of gratitude for all the amazing people in my life, and in that I include all my beautiful sisters on this thread 🙏

Hello again all!

@VioletCharlotte it's a monthly subscription box, I pay I think £27 including postage. The one I just got has
-two postcard art prints
-rooibos loose leaf tea
-incense cones
-tumbled cherry quartz
-travel cup printed with "what's your poison?"
-a little potion bottle enamel pin
-a tiny glass vial pendant to put potions into to wear
-a snowflake obsidian pendulum necklace and a mini pendulum answer board
-a skull shaped bottle with child proof dropper lid
-a spell kit to make a negativity banishing potion (I'm going to use mine to wash my doors)
-scroll about potions / elixirs

The theme is different each month but usually has one art card, a type of tea, a spell / ritual kit, incense, a pin, a stone, and a scroll. Last month it had a cotton shopper printed with the zodiac. A couple months ago I got an oil burner. I've got a mug from a previous casket.

www.witchcasket.co.uk

And if you look on Instagram and search #witchcasket you will see posts from people showing their box contents.

Lacy I just looked at the link and those boxes look fantastic! Seriously tempted if I could justify spending money each month just for me, that's a mind block I have to get past

Speakout - thank you for connecting with and honouring our sisters. It must have been appreciated. I hope one day they all can move fully on.
We are so lucky that we can be open about who we are and our spirituality. (I need to let go of my anger towards the Dominicans when it comes to the burnings - so many in my home county lost their lives)
Violet - that holiday sounds lovely!
The picture is of Camaret Sur Mer, close to Brest. Thin place that reminds me of Glastonbury (well, not as powerful) - amazing vibration
Lacey - thank you for sharing.
Good night ladies - May the moon continue to cleanse and empower

LittleOwl

What a lovely post- and it is heartening to read that you feel able t be s open about your spirituality. Not the case for many of us, a lot of my life has to be done in secret, and lies told to protect. I have people who shun me. There is still a lot of fear and hostility towards those of us who practice the caft.

I feel more energy today- OH and I will go on a quick shopping trip this morning, It looks like another warm sunny day in store here.

I'm very lucky in that I can be very open about things with my family- my dad did wonder why I was leaving bowls of water in the garden last night but just accepts it without comment! And my mum loves coming to Avebury or Glastonbury with me.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day today- I'm enjoying the peace and quiet of having the house to myself at the moment, listening to the birds in the trees outside my window, having a cup of tea and just enjoying not having to rush around!

Feeling able to be open about spirituality was one of the things I discussed with medium friend earlier this week. My family are very conventional and think anything spiritual or witchy is just weird. I avoid discussing it with them, particularly mediumship, as I find criticism from people I love really hard to take, especially my Mum. But I hate the fact I cant share something that's such an important part of my life. Her advice was to be open anyway and to 'drip feed' about what I do and eventually they'll just get used to it. So I mentioned yesterday I'd spent the day with friends doing tarot and looking at her crystal collection. Mum said "sounds weird but glad you had a nice time" 😂 I can live with that!

Violet that's not too bad a reaction I guess! very hard for those who would love to be able to share more with family. It's hard having to keep something so precious and important from people you care about.

Well the peace I was enjoying is over- neighbour has decided to take a chainsaw to some of the trees outside the front of our houses! I really should get ready now anyway....

InTheTempest

Noise in the garden always disturbs nice weather doesn;t it!

I live in a very quiet peaceful area, no small kids around very light traffic.
But as soon as the sun comes out so do power tools! Chainsaws, strimmers, I have to draw on my inner Zen!

I have been hurt by a few friends in the past year when "coming out" more.
Women I know at the gym for instance- some I have had coffee with, know all about their family, chat about life. Two won't even say hello to me any more.

This thread has emboldened me and I have decided not to keep things so hidden, but to be honest if asked a direct question.
I don't advertise or push my views.

My honesty has actually brought me closer to some people I know, which is just lovely- including my OHs immediate family- curious, accepting, telling me all about their own experiences.
But the ones who treat me with hostility make me sad.
And I have close family members I wouldn't dare tell, and I have to be complicit in lies which I dislike doing.

It's all cloak and dagger stuff!
DD is in the kitchen making daal for our lunch while practicing ballet spins as she cooks.
I have been out shopping and now packed the fridge with food, fruit and nice things for easter.

Good morning all!
It's another lovely day here and the air outside my open window smells of fresh cut grass which I love.
The conversation about being open is interesting. Reasonably recently I have been more open about more things sitting around and not made a big deal of it. A friend recently said out of the blue "I knew you were pretty much a witch" but apart from the odd text asking if I know a remedy for something and asking if I will do a rune reading nothing has changed.
Dd1 is definitely more aware and has finally begun to realise that the Christian religion she is taught in school is only one of many and not necessarily fact, however she knows she is free to choose her own path.
Dh just leaves me to it and avoids the issue (raised by a very religious dm) but did splutter his coffee when I joked we needed a salt ring in the dining room until I showed him a slug trail. He was very relieved to spend an evening catching and evicting the squatters.
Speakout enjoy your Daal.

Loyaultemelie

It is lovely to have at least a few people who are supportive isn't it.
My biggest fan is my OH, who has complete faith in my abilities. He is spiritual, not pagan, not religious, but holds his views very privately.

@speakout I'm glad you are feeling that you can be more open. You and the other lovely ladies here have helped me so much, I've got a sense of inner peace because I can listen to myself rather than do what "I should be doing."

SalemSpellman

I am glad you feel that way. You have given us so much support on this thread too.
I think we all feel more confident in our choices and path having our sisters here support us.

Hello everyone I'm a slow reader but worked my way through thread 7 last night. So inspiring especially all the chat about herbal tea near the start. I love Pukka and Heath & Heather brands myself, but I'm moving towards making my own.

A bit about me - I work(Ed) with a deck called "The Well Worn Path" which works like Tarot (so divination/oracle and other insights).
I charged my crystals under the full moon last night because I work with the moon.
Most of what I know I learned from my mum who sadly passed in 2008 I never practiced myself until recently, 2015! Apart from just a bit of messing about with tarot as a teenager. So am a beginner but with some inherited knowledge.

On the subject of coming out...
Luckily DP is quite into it too. I just blurted out one day "Do you want to help with a blessing?" And he did. He enjoys it when we do something for Imbolc, Litha, Beltane etc. DS who is 4 sees it all, and my Dad was quite used to DM, but apart from that no one else knows.

speakout definitely also have family I could never let on to. And certain friends. There's just so much superstition and stigma.

Sorry can't find the post now so can't remember who it was but whoever hosted some friends and one of them snooped through everything and found tools and outed them. I'd be so livid. That's such an invasion of privacy. Sorry that happened to you.

Well, good day everyone. I'll go through some of the other threads tonight. Blessings !

DpWm

A huge welcome, you have a place here , I am glad you have joined us.
It's good to hear you have an ally in your craft, it can be a lonely path when we are misunderstood.
We are a mixed bunch of people, all ages, all colours of path, lots of different skills, but collectively we are a powerhouse and a huge resource . We each take a part in weaving the silken and golden threads into our beautiful wise tapestry.

Peppermint tea here please- I know the magic teapot is never empty!!

It is very sad that the women you know from the gym won't even speak to you any more speakout. I just think people like that are so small minded, I feel sad for them really that the close their mind to so many wonderful things. It doesn't say much about their character to me that they can be so rude and dismissive. It's good that being more open has brought you closer to other family members though.

loyaultemelie it's good that your friends have wanted your wisdom, as well as being accepting.

I have been going so regularly to Avebury recently and their is an older lady I have seen recently, with long hair, dressed in long robes, sometimes with a bodhran, and she goes and sits next to the same stone each time. It's so nice to see openness. I may try and go there for the Beltane events they are doing. I'm really looking forward to Beltane this year.

DpWm you are in for a treat reading the past threads, I have only rejoined this thread recently and it is fantastic when you have lots to catch up on.

I put all my crystals on the windowsill in the moonlight last night. I've been doing little things here and there to add more magic. I now have an altar on my dressing table, really just a collection of things I love. I remember Wyn Abbot was being discussed a while ago, I've bought several of her things recently. My children (with the help of Mum!) chose a hare figurine for my birthday. And I've been putting fresh flowers in my bedroom too, it's another little act of self care as I enjoy them.

Oooh some of you might remember I was planning on getting the phases of the moon tattooed down my spine, I had it done in January, I will post a picture when I can!

InTheTempest

My heart is filled hearing the way you talk of that woman you see in Avebury. She is a courageous spirit.

Yes it is sad about the women at the gym but the impact of being open with my friends there have brought another 5 or 6 women closer and dearer to me. I have done a little work for one or two just some sigil work, helping one with a bereaved friend,, one woman brought me some home baking, another made me a piece of jewellery. Being open has brought these women closer to me- and that is one hundred fold more meaningful than those who think badly of me.
Love is the highest power.

Bollocks

I did it again!

I was supposed to be CircumzenithalArc on this thread not DpWm.

speakout
Thanks for the peppermint tea

InTheTempest
Your tattoo sounds amazing. Post pic!

Not sure what to do about all my name changes now! I know "sock pupetting" is bad form but this isn't exactly SP...
I guess I'll just leave it.

Look forward to getting to know you all.

speakout she looks amazing, beautiful and wise and almost otherworldly. I wanted to go and speak to her and just ask out of curiosity what she is doing but I didn't as frankly I suppose it's not my business! I wouldn't want to disturb her if she wants to be alone either.

It sounds to me like you have gained more than you have lost with being open with those friends; they sound fantastic and it must be heartwarming for you.

I am having a real day of self care- I'm unashamedly drinking a can of cider whilst catching up on here, I had a parcel of herbs arrive from Starchild today and I'm writing out their magical uses. I've ordered a book about Paganism by Ronald Hutton. After going to Stonehenge and all my Avebury visits recently I really want to explore the ancient landscape some more- BlankTimes'' link upthread is indeed a rabbit hole!

InTheTempest yes I'm looking forward to Beltane too. Last year I baked an Almond bread loaf it was rather good if I say so myself. Keep us posted about your plans.

Apologies for the poor quality image! My moon phase tattoo..

It’s good to sit down with a cuppa and read what everyone’s up to along with your thoughts and musings. Always food for thought.

The Libra full moon has brought dramatic events where I am- not directly for me but involving those I’m close to. All is ok and so am I, if a little tired. But that’s ok- no work til Tuesday

The moon was beautiful and pink last night. I spent some time admiring her reflecting on the water, boats bobbing around in her light. I didn’t do any workings or rituals, simply opened myself to the energy. Just the ticket! 🌕

Interesting discussion about being open or hiding our beliefs. I think I’m more of a ‘hider’- I’ve no desire to be ‘out and proud’ but we’re all different aren’t we. For me, my beliefs and practices are very personal. I have one friend spanning back years who I know is similarly inclined and It’s good to be able to share with her. Neither of us are the type to have ‘powered by witchcraft’ bumper stickers or want to talk about what we do at any opportunity, but I think a lot of it is just personality type. I’m quite a private person and actually get something out of keeping things to myself in a way. It makes it feel sacred for me and doesn’t dilute the energy I generate with others opinions etc.

I have a couple of friends, like Loyaul and speakout who would ask for a tarot reading or be open to the use of ritual or symbolism I might suggest if they have a specific issue or goal but it goes no deeper than that.

Of course, having to conceal and being vilified are different matters again. I have situations like this in my life (evangelical Christians) and take pleasure from quietly weaving my magic under their noses- unbeknown to them. There’s some satisfaction to be had in that I think! (It amuses me anyway )

All that said, I have gained and grown so much from being able to connect and be open with my sisters here. I would never have had the confidence to ‘put myself out there’ like you did when you started our first thread speakout (was that nearly a year ago now?!) I am so grateful you did! The difference it has made to me has been huge. I’ve learnt (and continue to learn) so much, and feel connected and supported through our community. I often think of my sisters here throughout the day- something I want to share with you, a thought sparked by something you’ve shared etc and through those moments I feel part of something sacred and powerful. Just wonderful. So in that way I’ve been beautifully surprised by myself wanting to share and be part of a group. I just needed to find the right people- and you’re all it! I feel very blessed by you 💖🙏

CircumzenethalArc a warm welcome from me too- I’m glad you found us. Have you seen the list of previous threads at the beginning of this one? Lots of lovely wormholes to fall down along the way when you’ve got time

The rest of the weekend holds family visiting, time with friends, pottering and catching up at home after a hectic few days. My introverted self craves and treasures the pottering at home part the most! I’m hoping to carve out time to get my hammock out and enjoy gently swinging between the trees, taking in the replenishing solar energy 🌞

Wishing everyone a magical day 💫