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Philosophy/religion

Join our Philosophy forum to discuss religion and spirituality.

Any Witches Here? Part 8.

999 replies

speakout · 24/04/2019 21:19

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.

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Thread gallery
177
YashmisCrone · 10/05/2019 11:50

Good morning sisters,

It’s cooler here today but the sky is blue, I can hear the birds singing and there are bees enjoying the dandelions in my unkempt lawn. There are flowers on some of my tomato plants grown from a forgotten cherry tomato found at the back of the fridge. Magic Smile

Some interesting questions from StarStruckStarGazer about how we live our beliefs and practices.

My practice is similar in many ways to speakouts description of weaving magic throughout the ordinary and bringing magic to the mundane. I think the ‘haphazard witch’ term fits with me better than any other I’ve heard!

I guess for me it’s about flow, goddess energy and intention. I’ve noticed that whatever energy we bring to a task we generate more of. For example, if I help someone because I feel love for them then doing the thing will generate more love, if I help them because I feel obliged then I’ll generate a weary burdened energy etc. In this way I’m practicing my spirituality throughout my life and my work.

I had a business meeting this week- as is often the case I was the only woman there. I was aware of jarring energies between some of the others there that could lead to conflict (I call it macho bullshit but I’m sure there’s a more technical term for it!). So I started the meeting with an intention for unity. I focused my energy as such and invited the others to commit to it. For all the vying for alpha male position I stayed in control of the meeting with this intention as a point of reference. An example of bringing goddess (sacred feminine) energy to work. I think it’s powerful stuff when you trust and embody it. I like to use colour correspondences, scents and stones as tools to help focus the intention or energy I want to generate.

Likewise, nature and the turn of the wheel of the year are things I feel ‘more whole’ for being in tune with. Like turning inwards and doing shadow work in the winter months, focusing on new growth during spring etc. I love what I see in nature as a guide for my own path. Like my recent fascination with fiddleheads- the promise of new to unfurl and grow as nourished by the elements.

I love learning about all different types of customs, rituals and belief systems but have a resistance to aligning myself with a particular school of thought or religion. I prefer to notice common themes and integrate what resonates in my own haphazard way.

I do like ritual and spell work but personally don’t find it helpful to engage in rigid ‘have to do it everyday’ kind of practices. I trust my intuition more these days and enjoy building rituals (from everyday mundane to more focused spell work) as I align myself more with goddess energy. Trusting intuition, being bold with it and taking notice when things feel ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ to me. I don’t do anything in terms of practices that feels like a chore and interestingly I end up with quite a lot of ritual and practice punctuating my day.

In relation to teachers or guides, I’ve come across a few people in life who have taught me a lot. One was a shamanic practitioner, another an ‘intuitive life coach’ neither witches (that I know of) but both had energy that felt nourishing and empowering to me. I dislike hierarchy so am always wary of anyone who presents themselves as ‘the one with the knowledge’ I probably prefer to read and research a subject that piques my interest.

In terms of learning I’ve got so much from this group and from shared experience and knowledge here. I benefit so much from the way we share and learn together. No hierarchy, a wealth of knowledge and perspectives and an energy of love and respect. The energy we share here is redolent to me of the ‘Goddess remembered’ documentary we’ve talked about before. I’ve grown so much from being part of it and have so much gratitude for that.

Not very clear answers but a lot of rambling- hope it makes some sense!

I saw this today and it made me think of the discussion we’ve been having around nature guardianship and a commitment to protect Mother Earth. I thought it looked interesting

treesisters.lpages.co/calling-all-women-home/?fbclid=IwAR3wlAPifYbduQYwVLa91mc9vbqAmyqQIzJmYVAR6EqKuDfVxTxxEJ-MCn0

Wishing everyone a magical day ✨

Any Witches Here? Part 8.
Any Witches Here? Part 8.
StarStruckStarGazer · 10/05/2019 11:57

Thank you so much, I get the feeling I'll learn a lot from just being on this thread.

The mention of the sunrise has me thinking to a place I love & would love to see the sun rise & set on the solstice. Whether that much travel is possible is another thing. We went for Easter, left on Thursday night and it took 6 hours. So quite rightly as OH says this time if I want to go here again I should drive, which isn't a problem, just not sure that a 6 hour stint is possible.

The vibrational stuff is new to me, so I'm trying to figure out what is what.

I guess in a way I practise 90% of the time. I mix up being a natural Pagan witch with another faith. My friends all joked I strived and put so much effort into my other faith, when being a witch is natural to me, I don't have to put effort in.

A couple of years ago, I dwelled on the fact that really I should focus on what comes to me naturally. Here I am.

Hope you all have a blessed day, if you're touching bases before the weekend, I hope you have a glorious weekend.

I've been up since 4am, I'm trying to get stuff done, hit a wall less than an hour ago, so strong black coffee was a must. I'll brew another batch and carry on.

What plans does everyone have for the weekend?

speakout · 10/05/2019 12:45

YashmisCrone

What a wonderful description of your practice.

I could feel the flow in your owrds- you have a great skill to craft and fashion ideas through words that we all may understand.

Thankyou for your explanation- I’ve noticed that whatever energy we bring to a task we generate more of. yes, that exact;y describes how I feel too.

I love your description of holding that energy at the work meeting- You Go Goddess! We need more of your tribe.

II may have a walk in my forest today later if I have time. The goddess in lots of manifestations is blessing me right now.
A friend at yoga this morning gave me a home made lavender bath bomb. Divine!

Have a magical day everyone.

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rivierliedje · 10/05/2019 13:15

Love all the forest pictures! They make me feel a little better stuck in an airport. Again. Especially on such a beuatifully sunny day. There was frost on the ground again this morning, which is an interesting combination with the long days at the moment. It feels wrong somehow, but lovely.

I hope to stay up all night on the solstice here, to see both sunset and sunrise. It won’t be as extreme as it sounds, as there is technically no night here at midsummer, just twilight. Though still quite a long time to stay up, hopefully it will still be lovely and sunny.

YashmisCrone · 10/05/2019 13:27

Thank you speakout I’m never sure if I make sense but I agree if we feel flow then we should go with it. And yes I think those men are learning not to mess with goddess energy! It makes me smile anyway. We’ve all got it in us haven’t we Grin

Wonderful to hear of your goddess blessings. I too am experiencing this Smile

StarStruckStarGazer

A couple of years ago, I dwelled on the fact that really I should focus on what comes to me naturally. Here I am.

sounds like a good example of working with vibration and energy- following your intuition. It’s a powerful force within you when you let go on predefined ‘rules’ about spirituality I think.

rivierliedje I hope you soon escape the airport and are transported to somewhere you can enjoy the sunshine! Your solstice plan sounds beautifully in tune with the turn of the wheel.

RosaWaiting · 10/05/2019 13:38

I am interested in the spiritualist church but I feel a bit wrong going to a church, I don't believe in god etc.

on the other hand, I do need more of a local community - London is such a curse for finding yourself living totally at the opposite end than your friends - so I'm not sure what to do about that. I have another friend who is unsure and she goes to church (in her area) and she thinks it's fine but I just feel a bit weird.

VioletCharlotte · 10/05/2019 14:47

Yashmis I too love the way you describe how you work **
weaving magic throughout the ordinary and bringing magic to the mundane
sums it up just beautifully.

Loyaultemelie · 10/05/2019 16:19

I would also be a 'haphazard witch'. Like speakout and Yashmis I try to put or see magic into the mundane and what is around me. For me the pull of nature is very strong and I try to include it or borrow some of its energy in as much as I can.

I am feeling very reflective and a little maudlin today. I don't know if it's because it's my birthday and Dh bought me a folding walking stick (not as odd as it sounds given the fact I'm always going to have a bad leg and he picked a pattern to make me feel better). I think it just made me realise there's a lot I can no longer do with dds. It could also be because of some very vivid dreams the last few nights about our lost twins. However tomorrow we are going to attempt a family night away to the North Coast and if I can manage to hobble to the cliff top it always invigorates me and recharges.

speakout · 10/05/2019 16:37

Loyaultemelie Happy Birthday! Flowers

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VioletCharlotte · 10/05/2019 18:06

Happy Birthday Loyaul. I hope you manage to get down to the coast. Being by the sea always makes everything seem better Smile

SalemSpellman · 10/05/2019 19:56

Happy birthday blessings to you @Loyaultemelie

BlankTimes · 10/05/2019 20:12

Loyaul, Happy Birthday! [-star]

Wine Cake Flowers Gin Cake Flowers Wine Cake Flowers Gin Cake Flowers Wine Cake Flowers Gin Cake Flowers Wine Cake Flowers Gin Cake Flowers Wine Cake Flowers Gin Cake Flowers Wine Cake Flowers Gin Cake Flowers Wine Cake Flowers Gin Cake Flowers Wine Cake Flowers Gin Cake Flowers Wine Cake Flowers Gin Cake Flowers

YashmisCrone · 10/05/2019 20:23

Happy birthday from me too Loyaul!

I do think birthdays can evoke reflection which is often bitter sweet- bringing things to the surface as we’re presented with a marker of time passing.

For all you’ve been through your energy remains positive and buoyant, you’re a strong force in our lovely community here. There’s a lot of fight in you and that is an admirable quality. Goddess spirit indeed. I hope you can celebrate this in yourself.

Sending a wish for some lovely sea energy tomorrow 🌊

Any Witches Here? Part 8.
RosaWaiting · 11/05/2019 12:04

Loyaultemelie Happy belated birthday. hope it was good and you got to do what you wanted.

this thread is doing me a lot of good so thank you to all Flowers

I don't seem to have much to say myself as things are hard at the mo - though perhaps I am making them harder than they should be, I don't know - and this thread does make me stop and then in turn, stop catastrophising.

speakout · 11/05/2019 12:43

A good afternoon witch sisters, I hope everyone is having a happy weekend.

Just been watching some youtube videos- so much information and information.
I remember days before the internet - having to travel miles to find esoteric bookshops to find certain books, now we have so much information at our fingertips- you want t find out the history of a tree, or a Greek god, or toxicity of a herb or how to make candles, or draw up a natal atrology chart, it's all there within seconds.
Such a powerful tool.

YashmisCrone I love that sea goddess picture, so beautiful, the embodiment of sea and all its power and life forms.

So often nature deities are personified in male form, Poseidon, Neptune etc, although I cut my teeth on Roman and particularly Greek mythology females are often resigned to wives and consorts.

A female sea goddess makes much more sense to me than a male one!

I have been shopping this morning, browing amongst candles and craft too, so not all work. Home now, made a big pot of minestrone with a sprinkle of magic, and I have a batch of lavender candles to make this afternoon. Such a soothing job!!

Have a great day my magical friends.

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BlankTimes · 11/05/2019 14:45

Good afternoon everyone, carrying on Speakout's theme of the internet being a fantastic resource, I often go looking for tools and accessories - do I need any, absolutely not, but the unusual fascinates me. Thought I'd share this one Halloween Smile Instant Zen.

www.reddit.com/r/oddlysatisfying/comments/bna0t6/the_way_the_smoke_travels_through_this_incense/

SalemSpellman · 11/05/2019 15:42

@YashmisCrone that is a beautiful sea goddess picture, it's so calming. I wonder if it's possible to buy a print if it?

I was in the Works today, they had lots of books about witch practices and tarot.

I've been spending time with my toddler DD in our garden, we have been learning about gardening together. We have only done a small amount but our garden already feels calmer.

DH has been busy helping me sort out my she shed. It's for ladies who can't fit a summer house in their garden. This will be my retreat where I can truly be myself.

Hopefully the photo will add to this post, I want something like this but less Laura Ashley chintz.

Any Witches Here? Part 8.
speakout · 11/05/2019 19:28

BlankTimes

Amazing video- not quite sure I understand, but fascinating

Thank you for the idea of the genius loci, and forest guardianship I had not thought of that.
Have not managed to visit in the past few days, too busy, but I am looking forward to my next trip.

You are so full of knowledge, I love to sit in the presence of wise women.

Do you mind If I ask your ideas on this ?
I live very near Roslin Chapel ( Rosslyn different local spellings, ) famous for Da Vinci stuff, now quite a tourist spot. It sits high above a gorge and a fast flowing river, the sides of the gorge have caves and carvings. Caves contain lots of spiral stonework and a stone nearby has the most interesting face carving- looks like a monkey or a fish. I first saw it 15 years ago, but I have found very little documentation or reference regarding the carving. The area is very rural, so has not attracted much attention- apart fom the Chapel. Local suggestions are that the cave spirals are Neolithic, so perhaps related to that? The carving is quite inaccessable, took us a good hour to reach on steep muddy slopes, and it is quite large, 18 inches high, on a prominent position overlooking a fast river. I hope you don't mind me asking, but has piqued my interest for 15 years now. I will post a picture- any ideas?

This may help- perhaps not accurate but interesting.

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Timeistickingaway · 11/05/2019 20:40

mysearchformagic.com/2013/05/20/roslin-glen-midlothian/

Speakout, I found this on the internet. i love the area round Roslin. I met someone who lives in Temple nearby and loves it there. A real community who all look out for each other.

VioletCharlotte · 11/05/2019 21:18

I love that carving Speakout The face has a good feel about it, almost as if it's watching over the river.

Salem I like your idea for a she shed, what a great way to carve out a bit of space just for you.

I agree with the internet being a great resource, there's so much information easily available now that just wasn't accessible in the past.

I went for a walk with my dog today, it was quite so I decide to sit for a bit in a sunny clearing and just be in the money. As I left, a yellow butterfly flew along the path in front of me, almost as if it was leading the way. Then a blue one appeared, then two more. It felt really special.

BlankTimes · 11/05/2019 22:43

Fantastic image Speakout

The one on the mysearchformagic website is huge, hi-res. mysearchformagic.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/p1000193.jpg

From Canmore (The online catalogue to Scotland’s archaeology, buildings, industrial and maritime heritage) - apparently it's a fish.

"Event ID 711411
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Archaeology Notes
Permalink canmore.org.uk/event/711411
NT26SE 32 2775 6303.

A fish of Iron Age date (C Thomas 1961) is said to be incised on a stone on the path opposite the carvings noted on NT26SE 18

R W B Morris 1969
NT 2775 6303. This fish is carved on a stone locally known as 'Lover's Leap'.
Surveyed at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (SFS) 29 October 1975"

Canmore's Monotone image from a different angle canmore.org.uk/collection/1004044

StarStruckStarGazer · 11/05/2019 22:44

Hope everyone is having a super weekend. My memory is so bad that I have to make notes against names, to remember to reply to the right person.

Has anyone here ever found a hag stone? What do you use them for?

Many blessings

StarStruckStarGazer · 11/05/2019 22:48

This was sunrise, I totally caught by accident Easter Bank Holiday weekend. We're lucky to have a camper so we can pretty much go anywhere.

The beach literally feels magical, I love beach combing, I'm forever asked what will I do with what I gather though, whilst finding treasures.

This really is my favourite place, it's just a shame it's so far away, otherwise I'm sure we'd be there every weekend.

Any Witches Here? Part 8.
Any Witches Here? Part 8.
Any Witches Here? Part 8.
BlankTimes · 11/05/2019 23:08

Speakout I was taken with that video because the incense smoke was flowing downwards, we all know smoke goes up, so this was bending our perceptions a bit - well mine anyway.
I'm never overly keen on spoilers or rational explanations for this kind of thing, I prefer to just look and go 'wow' and enjoy the moment.

Elphame · 11/05/2019 23:38

@StarStruckStarGazer

I get what you are trying to say about the vibrational energy although I don't use those terms. I will increase my own vibrational energy in order to sync with entities or other realms that I wish to interact with.

As for hagstones - I have hundreds..... I use them for many things, for healing, for charms, for holding energy and for talismans. They are strongly protective.

Loyaultemelie

I've just got back from the Welsh occult conference - some very interesting speakers this year. Ceremonial isn't my thing but it's always worth hearing David Rankine speak. if I was to decide to work with angels/demons I now know a little more about it. After a few bruising encounters with angels I am in no hurry to repeat the experience!