Any Witches Here? Part 8.

[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.

Me too Violet! Grounding sounds like a good plan for later..

Thank you speakout I did love the sound/feel of your sort out, bargain finding and your productive energy is lovely.

Enjoying following the talk of gong baths, tarot and meditation 🙏

Loved reading about your special moments with your DD Loyaul

Welcome new friends, it’s good to have you join us- some really nice energy around the aga 💫

Hello all.

Welcome fairies and gerbi, glad you've found the teapot!

Toomanypaws that Julie Felix song was lovely, I had it playing in the background as I caught up on the thread. Thank you for sharing it.

Happy belated strawberry moon birthday Yashmi!

Loyaul loved reading about your DD's exploration of Tarot. I have a little one preparing to start 'big school' too, it's a big transition for them. Hope it goes well for your DD.

Salem I too struggle with mind-chatter when mediating. I found the Headspace app was great at helping to recognise, accept and work with that. I thought the advice Blanktimes gave was really helpful, the use of sound in mediative practices to focus the mind.

Funnily enough I have experienced a sound bath a couple of times with Tibetan bowls but I didn't find it a pleasant experience, I found it very agitating. However I often find softer, more rhythmic soundscapes quite effective, such as soft shamanic drumming. I'm also fascinated by the uses of different Hz.

I find sound is probably one of the my most fundamental tools in creating a 'magical' space, and I think I'm very sensitive to the emotional stimulus embedded in music. I'm easily affected by music. I see it as the tool I am most able to manipulate and respond to even though there are many other elements I may enjoy and work with, sound is the one I feel most naturally aligned with.

I wonder if this is the same for many of you here or whether I'm just randomly rambling again!

I did smile though when I recently read that Libra witches are 'music' witches. Maybe there's some truth in that.

I've been away from here for a while and am finding it a struggle to get in touch with nature properly. Sleep seems disturbed and I somehow have no time, even though hours of work haven't changed or anything like that. I can't work up the energy to go for walks even though if I do drag myself out I feel so very much better.
I so want to do something wonderful for Midsummer but I don't know how or what and feel almost unable and very much stuck.

Thank you to everyone who made suggestions to help me with my meditation. My yoga teacher says that I am a vata, so I'm prone to flying off with ideas, she is trying to teach me to be more grounded. I accept that this will take time, which I find tough with my impatient nature. None the less the journey of learning to empty my mind will help me become wiser and I'm happy to learn.

I found a nice little star shaped jar in the works today, I'm planning to fill it with interesting stones, shells etc I find in a similar way to @Elphame's flower jar.

Evening all

I just tiptoed in to listen quietly. There’s a kitten asleep on my lap and one curled up next to me. It’s wonderful how much they have brightened up the house. 😊

Good morning sisters.

A bright sunny day here, laundry magic already in full swing.

Lovely to see some familiar faces here.

rivierliedje I can really empathise with the not having the energy to go for a walk even though you feel better for it. Do you have access to a garden? Sometimes if I cannot motivate myself to walk in the local woods (5 mins away in the car for goodness sake!), i sit on the grass in my garden and reconnect with nature/earth that way. I have even been known to go to a garden centre to wander amongst the plants there (odd that I can manage that but not a walk!), just being immersed in plant life/nature is very soothing and nurturing.

Re the summer solstice, don't feel you have do anything specific or mark it in some big ritual way. Simply acknowledging it, maybe light a candle and have a few quiet moments sat with it may suit you. Can you relax into your thoughts and imagine what you would like to do? I have some dried herbs from my garden from last year that I will use to "bless" the garden and will light a candle and/or incense and try to stay up until it gets dark, and take a moment or two to reflect on how this year has gone, and if there is anything I need to release or bring into my life.

I hope inspiration comes your way and you have the wonderful solstice you wish for.

@SalemSpellman I love it when someone takes an idea and makes it their own. The star shaped jar sounds gorgeous.

Belated birthday greetings YashmisChrone

I thought I'd celebrate the Solstice with an early walk around the Stonehenge Landscape with a friend and the dog. I downloaded a walk from the NT website and we were all set to go. Well we managed 100 yds before we hit the new "dog free zone" that the NT seem to have imposed but not bothered to mention on the trail details so that was a complete waste of time....

Good evening,

It’s been a long working day here but it was wonderful to have blue skies and see the sea at lunchtime- the boost I needed to get me through the afternoon.

If I’d been more organised and the weather more predictable I’d have had some laundry done like speakout. One of my clients today was talking about how much better they felt for having line dried clothes. Made me smile as I thought of all our laundry witching here.

Thank you for the birthday wishes Fitz and Elphame

Interesting what you say about sound Fitz I agree there’s a unique kind of emotional stimulus embedded in music. I’m also fascinated by the idea of resonance with different frequencies- I can feel another wormhole coming on!

rivierliedje good to see you again. I agree with Medjuel’s wise words about finding different ways to connect when you’re not up to walking. Some lovely ideas I think. For me it’s about feeling like whatever it is I’m doing is the right thing for that time/my energy levels. e.g not beating myself up for not getting out for a walk but believing that having my bare feet connected with the ground is benefiting me. Baby steps are often the way out of being stuck IME. I usually start with self talk when I feel stuck. Self soothing to start with.

Gee how wonderful to have kittens in your home. We always love animal pictures if you feel so inclined!

That’s rubbish about about your walk Elphame. I didn’t realise NT were such spoilsports.

Medjuel I’m with you on the acknowledgment of the solstice being the most important thing. I feel the same. If there’s something particularly I’m working on and I feel inspired I’ll use the energy towards that but otherwise simply marking the turning of the wheel of the year is enough for me. I like to spend some time reflecting on how I can embody and work with the energy of the season. I enjoy the simplicity and flow of an approach that makes me feel ease.

Wishing everyone a peaceful evening 💫

Good evening everyone.
May I ask what laundry witching is please?

Been torrential rain here all afternoon. I've been poking my head out of the door breathing in the air. Lovely and still now.

I try to ground myself and take in nature if I've no time for a walk by listening to early birdsong out of my bedroom window, or being barefoot and sat feet on the grass, or if I'm sat in the car I park near a tree, no radio on and windows open just looking up at its trunk and leaves.

I'm growing radishes on my windowsill just in pots and it's lovely to see them growing daily, their little shoots coming up. Gives me peace and tranquility.

Good evening all 😊 Sounds like some of you have had some sunshine today, I really hope it's coming my way, we've had thick cloud and rain on and off all day here again. I did get out for a nice walk with my dog and DS1 this evening though, between rain showers, which was nice after a day in the office.

I'm hoping the cloud will clear for the solstice. I'm going to a yoga and gong bath celebration on Friday night which is being held outside (weather permitting!). It'll be lovely if it's clear and we can watch the sun go down.

Gee I'm so pleased your enjoying your little kittens, always lovely to have new babies in the house 💕

That's a shame about your walk Elphame. How frustrating for you!

Salem I love the sound of your star shaped jar. I also have a jar which I fill with various shells and pebbles. I sometime light a tea light on top, it's got a nice feel to it.

River sorry to hear you're struggling at the moment, have you been feeling like this for long? It sounds like you may have some kind of virus. I hope you feel better soon. Sending you love and healing 💕💫

Good morning, just having my morning goddess ritual in the way of a cup of coffee in bed. Always my start to the day.

I have a stiff sore back today, after a jerk on Tuesday, but gives me a free pass to miss gym class this morning, and I can really use the time to catch up with work , shopping and cooking.
Such a good time just before Solstice, I don't have anything planned. so it will be low key. Just a cleansing ritual and I will light a candle.

So many interesting things on this thread I learn some new aspect of the craft everytime I log in.
The talk of frequencies is interesting. The subject of harmonics, resonance, oscillation and frequency is interesting, and is important in so many areas- astroniomy, chemistry, astronomy, quantum physics, and music of course! Lots of worm holes there!

faeriesandelves you are asking about " laundry witching"- not a documented thing as such, just an idea that has been discussed on this thread, although no doubt witches and pagans worldwide have felt the same.
Just as cleansing can be a sacred act, so can laundry.
We clean and smudge our homes, we may use incense or salt, ior incantation to rid energies and replcace with new ones, so too does washing our clothes, particularly if we line dry them.
Hanging clothes outside not only freshens them, softens them having our clothes flapping in he wind or drying in the sun will rid them of negative energy.
But also the clothes will absorb power and vibration from the sun, the wind, the air, and when we bring our clothes indoors and wear them we and clothing ourselves and bathing in that energy our clothes have captured and bringing them to our bodies.
If you have ever line dried sheets on a summers day and put them on your bed you will iknow that delicious feeling of sunshine and outdoors as you slip into bed!

So . " laundry witching " is not an actual thing outside this thread as far as I am aware, just something a few of us have discussed, and I even love the act of hanging clothes outside, on a sunny day, when I have time, birds singing, soft breeze thinking about my family members as I peg, it feels magical to me!

Feel free to ignore if it doesn't float your boat though- it's not everyone's cup of tea!

Have a magical day everyone.

Good morning sisters,

The rain has returned where I live, like Violet (your plans sound really interesting as ever) I’m hoping it clears for the solstice 🌞

I love that you start the day honouring your goddess self speakout. A lovely way to set an intention for the day. I hope your sore back soon eases although it’s interesting how illness/injury can sometimes allow us to focus on what we need- like catching up on tending to our roots.

Years ago I was avoiding dealing with an issue in a relationship, telling myself I was too busy to talk. I fell and sprained my ankle quite spectacularly. Couldn’t walk. Quite literally stuck I had no excuse not to talk and had to face the issue!

BlankTimes thank you for the EH link, I might try and watch the solstice sunrise on it. Not quite the desired intention for your herbal tea I imagine!

I’ve been eyeing up this Hare lamp from Argos! It would look lovely in my room of books...don’t need it...

www.argos.co.uk/product/8497543

faeries I meant to say I’ve been growing things too and agree with the sense of peace and tranquillity it brings. I have tomato, peppers, herbs, lemon and apples all at various stages of growth. I’m not especially green fingered but am really enjoying watching these grow

YashmisCrone

I love that lamp- I may have to treat myself. I always love it when we find pagan or witch inspired items in everyday places.
There is a misconception that we have to go to visit esoteric shops in far off mystical places to buy £££ candles that have been moulded in a 300 year old golden unicorn horn in order for that spell to work or those candles to have the "special" about them.
Of course some pagan shops do sell lovely things but finding a hare lamp like that in Argos just brings it all home.
Pound shops and charity shops are fantastic for buying witchcraft supplies, I am sometimes asked by people where they can buy "starter" kits for spellcasting. I usually advise the supermarket or Poundland- with very simple things like string, paper, white candles, salt kitchen herbs, the basics are simple and inexpensive.

I have taken some painkillers and my back pain has gone, so I have been taking advantage of a quiet house to catch up with work but in a very relaxed centred way, which is great, and working that way is far less tiring.
The wind has picked up here, so nearly time for laundry again!
I will whisper blessings in the wind if anyone would like to catch them.

There is a misconception that we have to go to visit esoteric shops in far off mystical places to buy £££ candles that have been moulded in a 300 year old golden unicorn horn in order for that spell to work or those candles to have the "special" about them

made me laugh speakout! Totally agree. Just thinking about those Poundland hares you find last year.. perfect! I think I’m going to buy the Argos lamp too!

Glad the pain has eased with the painkillers and you have a quiet house for a while.

Arms metaphorically outstretched to catch the blessings on the wind. A lovely idea

Exactly- and I also think that by keeping our magical awareness close to home- like Argos , it allows us to bring magic to the mundane.

It doesn't require any great effort to incorporate magical activity into our everyday lives when things are within easy grasp.
Rather than magic being "other" or "out there", having to cast salt circles and gather lots of materials ( which does have its place) it becomes part of how we live an every day life.
I know we have discussed this before, but maybe helpful for anyone starting out on a magical path when it can seem a little daunting.

Yes! I love the way you explain this speakout It being possible to bring magic to the mundane makes for a much more integrated path I think.

I think it was BlankTimes who said recently that we’re all bound to have the ingredients to work everyday magic in our kitchen cupboards already..

I do enjoy planned for rituals and spellwork- building energy as we source ingredients and work out correspondences etc but there’s a special place in my heart for weaving magic throughout everyday life- cooking, washing, bathing, colours, scents- all with intention.

This way it’s not something we do sometimes when we have time but it is us- a way to feel whole and bring alignment to our lives

YashmisCrone

Yes, that's it, and like you sometimes I like taking time to build up the energy to a ritual- all that time taken to work out and order what we need, the planning and idea phase is all filling up manifestation energy which will increase the success and hasten the outcome- half of the work is done before we start our working.
But these things don't happen every day, and it is the" little practice" that brings us joy and support in an integrated way- good description.

Yashmis I love that lamp, what a find! I think you should treat yourself 😊 Wise words from you and Speakout about finding magic in the mundane. I have to admit to loving an esoteric shop, I very rarely buy anything in them, it's fun to look around. I love poking about in charity and vintage shops too.

Glad your back pain has eased Speakout and you've enjoyed a relaxed day. I've had a sore neck all day, I think it's from sitting at a computer too long. I'm off to yoga shortly so hoping a good stretch will sort it out!

Hello everyone!
Rivier sorry to hear how you are feeling. I sympathise with not being able to get out.

Elphame oh no that's a pity!

I love the discussion about how magic is the everyday, that sums up my feelings exactly.

Today has been a day of heavy rain but now the suns out and I'm enjoying a rainbow while Dh has the girls at the last night of their skating club before summer. I have my incense burning and my feline hot water bottle and just enjoying the rare alone time.

Anyone following the haunted new build in AIBU?

I wonder what the sceptics would make of today's events here! I have a grandfather clock that hasn't worked since we moved here 15+ years ago. It's a family piece which actually belongs to my brother but I'm "minding" it. It's been serviced and there is no reason why it shouldn't work but it just doesn't. Not a peep since we had it.

Anyway this morning it struck 12 times followed by a single chime. To say I jumped would be a bit of an understatement. I guess Great Aunt Gracie wants a word!

Ooh it seems she does want a word Elphame Have you asked her what about? I’d have jumped out of skin if that had happened!

In continuation with the discussion earlier about finding pagan influenced things in everyday places, look what I saw in Sainsbury’s tonight! They also had a lovely owl lamp.. I’ve ordered the Argos one

Totally agree about the joy and support of ‘little practice’ speakout Learning to weave these in has been one of the most valuable things I’ve done for my happiness and peace of mind. I also think it brings more power when I do focus on bigger/more focused workings because my energy is in the right place. Regular practice also seems to help manifestation energy IME.

Charity shops are my favourite Violet- Treasure troves! I hope you and your neck feel better for yoga tonight.

Loyaul I loved reading your description of your moments of peace this afternoon. These moments can be so nourishing can’t they

Elphame my goodness- what a surprise hearing your clock chime like that! I find my Brownie a useful go between the worlds in times like that.
YashmisCrone you are finding some lovely things right now, those hares from Sainsbury's look beautiful- are they safe for outdoors?

Just having a cup of peppermint tea and winding down after a busy day. Will get up early tomorrow morning for my yoga class, my back is feeling a little better and it is a gentle class.
Wishing everyone peaceful sleep.