Any Witches Here? Part 9.

[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.

I find the change in seasons this time of year relaxes me after what always seems like a hectic time.
I’ve already put away some summer clothes and looks like we are in for another hot few days coming up so that could have been a tad premature.

I just went for a walk along the canal and saw some children foraging for blackberries.

I am meant to be working right now but I am a little distracted by the thought of kittens.

What is everyone planning to do this bank holiday?

Woodlandwitch

How lovely- our brambles are still hard and green here. No bank holiday here either!

Re the cat rescue- it is a local independent shelter, but quite large, rehomes over 1000 cats and kittens a year I am sure there must be similar organisations throughout the country.

@Woodlandwitch I have both a cat (jet black of course) and a dog. The cat was an adoption, he needed a home as he was deeply unhappy with the family who owned him ( no reflection on them - he gets very stressed very easily) and is still here 7 years later. I think he's permanent! The dog was my choice, he's still a youngster and hard work but I wouldn't be without him for a second.

I'd like to be able to say they get along - The dog loves the cat and really wants to be friends but his love is not reciprocated and we have dog areas and cat areas separated by gates.

I was looking at the blackberries this morning - they are looking very small and seedy this year so I may just leave them.

No bank holiday plans. Being self employed they are just another day really. Going anywhere is unappealing as it gets so busy so I may just play around at home.

Friends throw a big party over the BH weekend so we're going to that. We camp out and all the kids play wonderfully together. It's a diversely creative group too so always lots of interesting conversations to to be had.
I met someone there a couple of years ago who I immediately felt a strong connection with and we have become firm friends. We live far apart though so I am looking forward to seeing them properly!

And it's my birthday tomorrow :)

Early birthday greetings to you queen

I have a friend’s birthday do tomorrow as well.

Earlier on in the thread, I said I felt the universe was trying to tell me something as stuff I’m trying keeps going wrong. Today was more of the same. I think I’m nearly at the end of my experiments....sometimes it’s not a bad thing to learn you’re better off as you are.

Been very strict about booking in time in a green space, it was a good idea. Also gathered a couple of flowers and leaves to put in a tiny vase. I’m not sure if anyone thought I was mad, but oh well!

Elphame I’ve got a friend with a cat and a dog who refuse to be in the same room with each other

Evening everyone, hope you've all had a good day. It's been hot and sunny here today, with a forecast of temperatures of 27/28 over the weekend...unheard of for a bank holiday. Like you Woodlandwitch I was a bit premature putting my summer clothes away. This time last week I was thinking about woolly jumpers and winter boots!

I find the change in seasons relaxing too and love September and October. The bushes are ripe with berries here, I picked some blackberries yesterday.

No great plans for the bank holiday, except for seeing one of my favourite bands in Sunday night with DS1, so I'm really excited about that! Other than that I'm hoping to get out for a few walks in the sunshine and catch up with some friends.

Queenrollo your weekend sounds great fun! Happy Birthday for tomorrow 🎂💕

Purplefig enjoy your weekend away, but do take it easy and get as much rest and relaxation in as you can ❤️

Rosa so pleased you managed to find some green space. I hope you manage to get outdoors over the bank holiday. Are you anywhere near Blackheath? That would be a nice place for a walk.

Love to you all 🙏

I’m not near Blackheath. Sadly it’s a bit of a mission for me to get to Hampstead as well but i find the suburban parks very noisy.

I have noticed that if I have a late night walk, I sleep better, normally I have a lot of issues with sleep. So I’m trying to plan a walking route that will be okay, the nearest nice residential roads type of thing.

Does anyone else walk at night, it would be sort of 9 to 10.30 I guess?

In an ideal world, I’d spend about half a day outside every day.

Rosa
I like walking at night too. I've got a dog so often go out at 9/10pm. It's so much nicer when everywhere is quiet.

I like being outside too, I always feel so much better for it. When I'm at work and stuck in the office, I always feel exhausted by the end of the day.

Violet yes it’s a weird exhaustion, like lack of air

Hello wise women,

And a very happy birthday to our queenrollo 🥳 🎂 I hope you have a lovely day and enjoyable camping weekend.

I’m going back a bit but water signs and messages are usually linked to emotion in some way for me- eg a slow drip for something that is niggling but needs sorting, a flood for an outpouring of grief etc.

I’m another night walker. I agree there’s something very restorative about the night air. The act of walking is healing in itself I think- the rhythm and movement. Beautiful surroundings a bonus.

Rosa I smiled as I read about your gathering of small flowers and leaves and wondering whether others might think you mad whilst doing so. I was recently spotted by another witch and recognised as one myself whilst carrying a fallen oak branch home from the woods following high winds. I’m very private about my practice but it’s hard to remain so under such circumstances! I didn’t say much but didn’t hide myself away either. A moment to practice being unashamedly myself! I care increasingly less what others think of me as I get older. It’s very liberating.

purplefig I hope you have a lovely weekend away and are able to take it easy. As an introvert I have needed to gather coping strategies for big gatherings. I’ll offer to run an errand to give me time alone in the car, cooking to enjoy my own space in the kitchen, an early bedtime to read etc. I find these pockets of solitude help me through.

I agree with your wise words about acceptance. I’m currently working on reframing my approach to menopause. Riding the waves in a yielding rather than struggling way will make for an easier experience I hope. What has gone before is not lost, rather integrated into the new phase.

I also thought you might be interested in this wild swimming map if you haven’t seen it already

devonandcornwallwildswimming.co.uk/devon-wild-swim-map-by-chris-popham

I had such a deep and healing sleep last night and am feeling such gratitude for the support I have been given today. It’s such a gift to feel connected and to be understood. 🙏

I spent some time last night reflecting on my ancestors, in honour of my DGF’s birthday. I thanked him for the calm and stoic strength he brought to our ancestral mix. I have fond memories of picking blackberries with him as a young child and his rosehip syrup to see us through the winter months.

I’ve also been reflecting on the increase in wildfires in the Amazon- the lungs of our planet. I’m not in a position to help practically or financially but I’ll be using my 8&8 time to raise some Gaia healing energy.

Love to all x

P.s can anyone help me identify these please- I’m wondering if they’re quince?

Yes - I'd say quince

Great, thank you Elphame 👍

queenrollo Happy birthday!

Ooh, this looks interesting..

boingboing.net/2019/08/21/gnostic-gnowledge.html

Happy Birthday Queenrollo

Yashmis Ooooh, that archive is wonderful, wormhole here I come!

Happy birthday @queenrollo

Good morning everyone. A beautiful morning here, still and dawn just breaking, I can see two deer grazing from my window. Birds are in chorus.
A busy day here as always but the house should be quiet. Everyone is out or occupied, so music, candles and incense while I work, and when the flow happens it all becomes play.
YashmisCrone that link is amazing, some of the artwork is stunning.I'm looking for some new artwork for my home, Goddess/pagan I am drawn to Neolithic/tribal art too. Any suggestions?
I am getting a little tired of having to hide my craft, hearing my family members lie about me to protect themselves ( and me apparently) is becoming wearisome.
My OH has a great attitude, his family are so accepting of my craft and OH tells anyone who asks at his work , he thinks if anyone has a problem with it then that's their issue.
My family are not so accepting and I have a lot of my mother's people visit my house who would have a big problem with my activities.
But I am growing tired of having to hide things in my own home.
That isn't right. I knouw you Elphame have had problems too.
So I am looking to claim my freedoms and need more artwork!!
Ideas gratefully received.
Have a magical day everyone.

speakout I’m sorry, that must be so hard for you. I wish I could say something helpful in return. Your posts help me so much, even your description of what you can see in the morning.

I admire you having your mum live in too. I don’t live with mum but I feel I ought to do a lot more for her and even this morning I snapped at her for no reason, I apologised immediately of course. She’s very easygoing and my father was a temperamental man, so my occasional snap, she says “don’t apologise, it’s bound to happen” but I need to learn to be more patient.

Re artwork, I have a lot of Amanda Clark cards pinned up. Also a couple of prints by Karen Davis. They’re both on Etsy. Not sure if that’s what you’re looking for but I find them helpful.

I hope everyone’s had a good day.

speakout your description of your morning was divine to read. I love deer. Such graceful creatures.

It’s been hot here and I spent some time in the garden this morning, the rest of the day was spent attending to my mum’s needs. Seems to be a theme amongst us. It’s good to sit down this evening.

Be gentle with yourself Rosa, it’s not easy and parent/child dynamics have the potential to be the most intense/trying.

I love your sense of reclaiming your space speakout, unashamedly displaying artwork you love sounds like a wonderful way to do so. Art can give such a powerful message can’t it, no words needed.

This looks like an interesting find:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-49446609

Wishing everyone a restful night 💫

Speakout
Hannah Willow art or a calendar for next year? www.hannahwillow.com/

Moonphases poster, chart, diary, cards www.astrocal.co.uk/products/2019-products/

Green Man or Greenwoman plaque? lynnehandy.com/2017/02/04/the-green-woman/

Arrangement of crystals?

It's hard for me to think of anything I have around the home that's specifically Pagan as I don't hide much, although I keep some of the books and working tools away from casual visitors.

Yashmis nicely spotted, it's way too modern for my specialist interest. I always probably uncharitably think that decorated stones like that are defaced standing stones, patterned to imprint the new religion on the things of the old beliefs they couldn't destroy.

Many thanks for all the suggestions and links to artwork- I will enjoy f exploring all these amazing images.

A busy day- yet again- just back from the gym, now have to do the last load to help DD move out of her rstudent accommodation. OH is on call working from home and holding the fort, cooking, running my mother back and forward to church. DD is coming down with a cold and really doesn't wnt to move but she has to hand the keys back today.
I am glad it is sunny and no raibn, and I can use some of that Solar energy to put some fire in my step!

I hope everyone finds some magical fun today.

speakout sounds very busy!

I walked a few miles in the evening yesterday, locally. Saw some flying geese, not something I've seen in London before.

When I stopped to sit on a park bench, a guy came along playing radio out loud. For once, I thought, you know, I could find another bench and the same thing will happen, so I tried to tune it out and sat there a while.

Great use of solar energy speakout, I have a lovely image of you with fire in your stride. I hope all flows as smoothly as possible.

Good to hear you got out walking Rosa, what a treat to see the geese. It’s a shame about the loud music. When I’m out and about I sometimes listen to audiobooks using earphones, it gives me a sense of being in my own bubble.

I’m sure you’re right about the stones BlankTimes, so much energy has gone into erasing previous belief systems throughout history hasn’t it, coercion and control being a driving force.

It’s back to self care Sunday for me. I have created a nest for myself in my hammock between the trees. I have a pillow, a book, drinks, snacks, phone ringer switched off, nag champa burning and I’m enjoying the dappled sunlight and gentle breeze through the trees. I intend to stay this way for at least the next couple of hours! My neighbours seem to be preparing for a barbecue so I’m putting an energy shield in place to keep my nest feeling peaceful!

Sharing peaceful nourishing energy with those who need it too 💫