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.

Welcome to all our new people and our people who have returned, it's a pleasure to see you all in our special place in cyberspace.

Some thoughts on letting other people know who we are... When I first learned and it's something I still do today, the instruction to Know, to Will, to Dare and to Keep Silent were uppermost.

As a society we are absolutely conditioned to think and think and think, rationalise and evaluate and think some more. There's so much focus on thought and mental processing just about to the exclusion of everything else. Sweeping generalisation, closed minded people often think open minded people have no rationality filter and treat them either with disdain or fear or both. There are many topics which will cause a fracas online whenever they are mentioned, both sides entrenched in their opinions and accusing the other of being too open or closed minded.

What is totally ignored in our society and upbringings is how we feel about things. We're taught to suppress our emotions, to ignore our inner voices, our inbuilt alarm system. As women we're taught to be people pleasers and that we should bite our tongues and follow the majority in our lifestyles and our thinking.

Those of us who dig a bit deeper and investigate the meanings behind some of the ancient teachings, or those of us who learn from experiences in thin places now know that for anyone to learn any important lessons, they have to approach the subject with not only an open mind, but an open heart.

That's the bit which is missing from so many peoples' interaction with the natural world and with each other. Open minds are nowhere near enough, a combination of open mind and open heart can achieve so much, no matter which Path you choose to follow.

Will I voice that anywhere apart from online, probably not unless I was with a group of like-minded people, (see, there's that reference to all that you are is in your head - again! it should be like-minded and like-hearted) but thoughts expressed here have a way of connecting with other people in a way we can't achieve in real life.

Avebury attracts many people! Google Avebury Drummer and hit Images

YashmisCrone

Lovely to hear your catch up. I am so glad this thread give you support- it does to me too - and I know I speak for others too.

It has given me so much strength over the past year and I thank you and all the other wise women here.

Speakout - I am sorry to hear about your gym ex- friends
I am very very selective with forthcoming openness about my practice, which is growing.
But my open views on questioning parts of organised religion have tested the boundaries since I was a teenager, and I have been told a number of times - you would have burnt for these views. (And that was before I discovered the Goddess/ the Devine feminine and actually started to explore)

this thread is utterly healing, taking us how we are, our offerings and so lacking of judgement- thank you everyone for maintaining it.

A number of years ago my DC had a very bad fall down the stairs at at my parents house at the age of 5 months, and I, while channeling healing, picked up the hurt - so after the examination was over I told the Dr where the pain was and if that changed the diagnosis. I asked afterwards if many mothers knew where their babies were hurting, to be told - you are the first, you should be on TV (no thank you!) My father, who was in the room with me, asked if I did that often (feel other people’s pain), and if I had to talk about it so I don’t ever speak about my other side to them.
My kids know about crystals, protection work, blessings -my DP ignores all of it. In the last couple of years I have built a lovely altar, and my DC2 started to build one to. My friends - one is a sister, the other one has seen glimpses- but I don’t volunteer really.
I have done a little bit of work getting people comfortable around death, help them heal.

BlankTimes you make these important points so eloquently I am in agreement. The idea about open mind and open heart make great sense.

I have found a wonderful community here- I wish we could all be here in flesh in our magical kitchen, but in our worlds time and space have no barrier.

LittleOwl

How wonderful to hear of your healing energy, many of us here share that too. We have a vetinary surgeon who uses her skills to help heal animals under her care ( yasmin weaving unseen magic!)

I have to share what has happened today! Quite funny.

DD has been grubbing up roots of a dead shrub in my front garden to make way for new planting.
She is 19, strong, a dancer, it is a hot day and she is wearing gym , shorts, top type clothing it is hefty work and she is tearing up the earth.
I have open plan garden, my neighbour sees what she is doing and brings out a chair just 6 feet away and a beer to watch. Shoes off, dog by his side,
His lechery is palpable.
I was so close to calling her in to ruin his entertainment but instead I picked up a newly moon blessed crystal and asked the goddess for help. I kissed the stone, hung out a load of laundry and went to look out of the window.
At that precise moment I saw the dog urinating on my neighbours boots, neighbour turned to see, jumped up in a flash, knocked over the chair, chair upturned, beer glass was knocked over and glass smashed.

That should keep him busy for a while.,

Wanted to fully read and reply to everyone else's posts but just had to comment on speakout's last post- that is truly fabulous and has completely made my day. He got exactly what was due didn't he, fantastic!

InTheTempest

Yes! Seems Artemis has not only a way with wolves but a sense of humour too!

Oh speakout that’s just fabulous!! Really made me laugh.

Speakout that's absolutely brilliant! What a result!

So many interesting and thought provoking posts. I've been thinking more about feeling able to be open about who I am with people. It does upset me how judgmental people are. I've been out today and was thinking to myself how bizarre it is that I am seen as weird and freaky for playing with crystals and sitting in the moonlight. Yet when my DB (early 40's) tells people he went out last night and got so drunk he can't remember getting home, that's seen as amusing, but perfectly acceptable and normal. Me being vegetarian, trying to eat whole foods and not drinking alcohol is 'odd', but to spend money on takeaways and junk food is absolutely fine. Societal norms seem to be seriously scewed to me.

I'm trying my best not to dwell on it too much and just accept people for what they are, but it's not always easy to do.

IntheTempest I live fairly close (45 minutes) to Avebury too. I've been a couple of times this year and I know the long- haired lady you mean. I love Avebury, the energy is beautiful, I much prefer it to Stonehenge.

VioletCharlotte

Yes societal norms are skewed aren't they. But having the ability to question and to swim our own way are gifts.
If we have people in our lives who understand that or even admire those traits in us then we are blessed.

Speakout I'm very lucky in that I have a lot of like-minded friends, and my own DC are very accepting. It just gets to me sometimes that my family are so closed. I'm trying my hardest to accept it for what it is, but it is difficult sometimes! (I've had a rather trying day with family, as you can probably tell!)

Never mind, I shall just smile, do some more yoga, then join my beautiful sisters by the aga and sip peppermint tea

I like reading everyone's thoughts on how open they feel they want to be. I'm pretty open with my immediate family. I don't really speak to my friends about it though. I don't advertise anything as such but I don't hide anything either iyswim?

I've had a lovely peaceful day, I've recently had to move because of my divorce but I love my new bedroom. There are trees right outside my window, I'm enjoying seeing all the leaves come out and hearing the birds sing. Its making me appreciate this time of year even more.

InTheTempest

I love your description of your new energy, your new bedroom.
Divorce, separation or bereavement is not easy.
It takes time to work through, to steady yourself, to regain confidence.
It is lovely to hear you talk so positively about your day and your joy.

Oh Speakout that really did make me laugh (very welcome!) such a brilliant way to solve that, serve him right.

It's lovely to see how much this thread has brought out in us, a true blessing.

Speakout that is truly wonderful, what a fabulous resolution, your wonderful description really made me chuckle.

Thanks for your warm welcomes...

speakout that's brilliant. Your neighbour sounds vile. I would have had to do something too.

InTheTempest
That is absolutely gorgeous. I was thinking of getting the moon phases as a tattoo on my ankle/top of foot position but I'd like it to maybe have some flowers entwined too or something... Need to give more thought...

YashmishCrone
Yes, I've started going through the threads. Wish I found you lot sooner I feel like I've missed out on so much!

I hope you all have a lovely Easter day.

may i creep in to learn more? have long had an interest in pagan/wiccan..the ways of the old gods and goddesses. More and more so as i get older. that there are spirits in the water, the rocks, the trees makes more sense to me that the manufactured forced religion that i was raised believing in. I am at peace near the sea where I go oftern to beachcomb or just sit, or walking in the woods. Being outdoors is very energising. My interest in this way of life peaked with two key visits last year - one to the stones of Callanish on the island of Lewis, and one to the utterly magnificent Ring of Brodgar on Orkney. Both had a significant impact on me. I would very much like to learn more about the ancient ways and beliefs but don't know where to start!

Good morning everyone!
Welcome dementedma (love that nn!) wow I can imagine the effect those visits would have I have both on my "bucket list"

It's another gorgeous day here and we have done a little egg hunt for the girls to find with some wooden toys and a big tin egg with a doll each to find. Dh had to hide them (because I am still not mobile enough with my knee) in the dark because he kept putting it off,which was accompanied by much stomping and muttering about how we are all mad but luckily when I laughed at him he came round. He must have hidden them well though they are taking ages. Dd1 is very pleased because her offerings to attract a brownie were finally gone yesterday.

Wishing you all a lovely day 💫

dementedma A very warm welcome, I am glad you have joined us.
I love your description of spirits in places , rocks and trees- I so agree.

I have visited the Ring of Brodgar in Orkney. Very magical.
Orkney is a magical place and fantastic for those of us who love ancient sites.

Loyaultemelie

I love the sound of your Easter egg hunt.

We did this when the kids were young, they loved it.

Good morning all, another glorious day here, hope everyone has a wonderful Easter Day. I’m seeing some wonderful extended family members who I haven’t seen for years, really looking forward to the day.

@LittleOwl - I read your post mentioning Brittany and gasped, isn’t it a wonderful place. We went on holiday there a few years ago and it had an immediate effect on me. The energy was nothing I’ve experienced before, very light but very fast vibration. There was one place we visited (can’t remember the name but the most western point) and I felt as though I physically buzzing. Your comparison to Glastonbury has convince me to book in a long weekend to go there for the first time!

@BlankTimes - thank you for your link about thin places, I discovered I had one less than a mile away in a park so I took myself off there and spent an hour barefoot enjoying the energy. Was just what I needed.

@Speakout - your neighbour story made me laugh out loud, how wonderful

Speaking of our witchy goddesses, this is an area I’d love to find out more about. Are there any good starting points people can recommend?

Thank you speakout. Can honestly say the past two years have been the absolute worst of my life. It's made me learn a lot of lessons but sad so many have had to be the hard way, but I guess that's life. Still standing. I've found lots of things to keep me going through the hard times, mainly my DC but rediscovering the magic in life and wanting to learn so much more has made a massive difference too. And seeing the positivity on this thread and everyone being so supportive, this to me is a huge part of what witchcraft is about.

CircumzenithalArc that sounds a great idea for a tattoo. I considered some flowers too but then saw that design and went for it. It looks better in person!

@speakout I love your neighbour story! Disgusting perv deserved it!

I don't openly talk about my beliefs and practice. One person has asked me out right and I said yes they were right in their judgement. I think if you are "in the know", it's clear I am; with my little rituals, my rosemary by the front door etc.