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.

Good morning,

Woodland your picture of the light through the trees is beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us. What a fascinating sounding shelter you found. I’d be curious too!

Violet I have such a lovely image of your sunset yoga. It’s lovely to hear of your relationship with your DS which sounds strong and loving.

I’m not going to have time to do much at the time but as ever I love the equinox food ideas here:

gathervictoria.com/2018/09/22/crabapple-rosemary-hand-pies-ancestral-offerings-for-mabon/

gathervictoria.com/2016/09/22/beautiful-venus-vinegar-autumn-medicine-magic/

Wishing everyone a magical day

Good afternoon sisters. Just grabbing some rest before taking in laundry and thinking about dinner.

Woodlandwitch sounds an amazing shelter you have found- I would be tempted to leave something by way of communication and see if there is any response- a stone arrangement or some plaited reeds tied to the door.

YashmisCrone lovely recipes- I don't have an ounce of energy to bake this weekend. The equnnox this year is on the 23rd September, I know some like to celebrate Mabon on the 21st.

I may buy some apple cider and cake, light a few candles to thank, but otherwise feel a slump coming on!

DS and I went to a Bhuddist temple for a meditation session yesterday. Lovely calm atmosphere, staff welcoming, we enjoyed the meditation, and there was short teaching session in the middle of the hour. Can;t say the words resonated with me at all, nor DS, so perhaps Bhuddist meditation isn't the thing. DS is keen to explore other types of meditation.
I did a TM course years ago, it is a powerful technique, but quite pricey, no religious association which is good, but all feels a but too structured and " corporate" somehow. A slick profitable organisation.
So we will maybe look elsewhere. We then went for a pizza lunch, and a wander around a large chinese supermarket, bought lots of interesting things, chopsticks, spices, fruit, soap, incense.
So a good day out!
I hope everyone has a good evening.

It was a lovely light at dusk today.

I am hoping to wake up early to head across to the Rollright stones for sunrise.

I’m feeling a little under the weather though so hoping I sleep well and are more refreshed in the morning.

Speakout - the Bhuddist temple sounds interesting to experience. Some of my fiends go to the one local to us in Hertfordshire but I am not too sure it’s for me. I am intrigued though.

I am at my parents for the evening and I was talking about the upcoming equinox and my Dad went to his library and gave me a selection of the books he has picked up over the years. Most are myths and folklore but one was a book he picked up in the early 60’s called The Golden Bough. It’s quite a hefty textbook but has some very interesting looking subjects on magic and religion.

The Golden Bough holds the roots of a lot of modern neopaganism. You have quite a treasure there Woodlandwitch.

Speakout - what branch of Buddhism was it? I have a pull towards Theravada myself but it's really too ascetic for me to want to practice it. I did get talked into doing meditation once with a group who worked with the Archangel Metatron which was interesting but for all the wrong reasons.

I'm still buried in North Wales - it is such glorious weather here but the beaches are empty and you can walk in the mountains for hours without seeing anyone which delights my somewhat misanthropic soul,

Sadly real life resumes Monday so it's back to Bristol on Sunday.

Elphame it was a Kadampa temple, I simply chose that one becoase of the location and times- they were convenient for us. A lot of the teachings are based on the books of modern ( still living) spititual leaders- I didn't find the words particu;larl;y wise- in fact iI have read more wisdom about life on this thread.

Just having my coffee, OH is about to run DD to work, she normally gets the train, but has a bad colds and a lot of kit to carry, I have left a sweet coffee in her bedroom while she is in the shower.

Give me some time to make a batch of smudge sprays, I can bless them this afternoon.

I have an overwhelming need to visit my forest this morning before I do anything, so as soon as I am ready I will nip over there to fill and awaken.
I hope everyone has a great Saturday.

Good morning.

I'm having a ginger tea in bed and trying to wake up before getting ready to go to a new morning yoga class. I've not been sleeping well the last few nights, lots of vivid dreams and waking every hour or so. I think it may be a hormone thing 🙄

Speakout sorry your DD isn't feeling well. I spoke to DS last night and he has a bad cough and cold too. I'm struggling a bit with him being away, I want to be able to nurture him and make him hot drinks of lemon and honey. He says he's perfectly happy and he's fine, so I need to hold myself back from rushing down to see him!

Woodlandwitch your shelter sounds intriguing! I'm always fascinated by things like that.

VioletCharlotte

I hope you enjoy your new yoga class.
Sorry to hear your son is not well, I know it is hard when you want to nurture and he is not there, but you can do this in a spiritual way, through a mediatation or visualisation. He will be nurtured in a spiritual way which knows no distance.

Have a lovely day.

The Rollrights were glorious as always.
I’d love to know more about the Will w women.

I also picked up some gourds from the garden centre nearby to bring a bit of the harvest and autumnal feeling indoors.

I meant willow women

Woodlandwitch I've never heard of the Rollright stones so had to google them. Looks like a stunning place with wonderful energy. Similar to Avebury maybe?

Speakout thank you. After reading your post, I went for a walk on the forest and meditated amongst the trees. I put my hands on a mighty chestnut tree and asked for strength and wisdom for DS. This afternoon he called me sounding much happier, he's feeling better and is looking forward to a night in with friends 😊

Hope you've all enjoyed the autumn sunshine today. I've not really done much to mark Mahon, except collecting a selection of conkers, acorns and feathers for my altar, which just felt right to me 🍁🍂

Violet - I can’t wait for the conkers to fall and be ready for collecting over here

VioletCharlotte

So lovely to hear that your distance healing and nurturing worked. Powerful magic!

Violet that's lovely news about your son feeling much better.

Wonderful to see more people interested in the ancient places WoodlandWitch The Rollrights have a very different atmosphere to Avebury, all circles and ancient sites have their own unique signature, they are all individual and all different.

The Rollrights were first brought into the modern day spotlight in the 1970's www.pauldevereux.co.uk/body_dragonproject.html by Paul Devereux' Dragon Project, that's well worth a google or two.

Unfortunately, their small size, fairly secluded location and their reputation for 'strange' experiences there can and does attract a lot of the wrong sort of attention. I've lost count of the number of times the stones have been vandalised and unpleasant things have been left there.

The Rollright Trust www.rollrightstones.co.uk/trust was formed to protect the stones, lots of voluntary work and fundraising later, a large information shed was built there and the site was manned by volunteers to protect it, sometimes 24/7. The shed has been burned down by arson attacks at least twice that I remember.

Current Faeries Sculpture www.rollrightstones.co.uk/news/story/faeries-sculpture

The Witch Sculpture and the Kingstone www.rollrightstones.co.uk/assets/ugc/gallery/_large/The_Rollright_Witch_sculpture_DBS.jpg

The Witch prophecy www.rollrightstones.co.uk/articles/story/folklore-and-legends

Unusually, the Rollrights have quite a large amount of written history, more often than not, a site has a bit of folklore which is often hardly ancient as it's all patriarchy inspired eyerolling cobblers and that's about it.

Equinox 2019 will be at 08:50 on Monday morning, 23 September, anyone who likes to measure energy-shifts will have good results then, I'm sure.

I've got a(nother) early start in the morning, so once again it's a literal flying visit, but I do read the board every day or night.
Magical dreams everyone!

Blanktimes - it’s a very different energy indeed.

It’s the first time I’ve seen it busy.
Lots of people dowsing.

We first visited after I had been unsuccessfully trying for a baby for quite a few years.
I conceived that very day.
We return now every year once or twice more as a way to give thanks and to soak up the feeling that somehow it’s been magical to us.

I’ve heard the folklore about counting the stones but don’t want to try that myself.
I can see why it would be so hard to count. It’s not a straightforward circle of standing stones at all.

The witch sculpture wasn’t there by the king stone. Just the three fairies this time.
Some offerings of red and black feathers and amulets had been placed within them

Good morning friends,it's such a beautiful morning here, a light mist causing the sunlight to have a gentle ethereal quality as is shines through the haze.
I can feel an energy shift today, we have thunderstorms forecast for later, so I will have some crysta;ls out to cleanse, water to collect.
Off to the gym now though, before the family spring into life.

Have a magical day.

Good morning sisters

Blanktimes thank you for sharing those links. Stone circles fascinate me so I'm always keen to learn more about them.

Woodlandwitch how wonderful that you conceived your baby right after a visit, I can see why this is such an important place to you.

Speakout I love the way you describe the morning mist, I can picture it perfectly. Thunder storms are forecast for later here too, and I've got the pressure headache that always comes when there's one in the way. It's calm at the moment, but I've got an almost anxious feeling, like I'm expecting something to happen. It's quite weird actually.

Hope you all have a good day ❤️

Morning everyone,

Violet this is the best resource on the internet for info on stone circles and other ancient places www.megalithic.co.uk

Woodlandwitch That's a fabulous connection you have with the site.
The Witch sculpture was an old one that has now returned to Nature.

Offerings are a sore point for many, if it's small and bio-degradeable, not a problem, but in general people leave so much that damages a site, fortunately most sites have someone that acts as a guardian and removes anything unsuitable.

Same for cloutie trees, biodegradeable rags, not a problem, but today's visitors use nylon, plastic and synthetic fabric that literally strangles the trees and they hang plastic tat all over it. It's not even remotely in the spirit of leaving an offering at an ancient place, a lot of it is mindless.

Take nothing but your memories and leave nothing but your footprints is something that needs to be more publicised as so many people damage sites by their ignorance.

I'm not surprised the dowsers are out in force, many will be checking the equinox energies, it's quite something when they fade and re-start, like Mother Nature holding her breath.

Speakout I think we all have thunderstorm warnings for today. I'm hoping to get out and return before they start, we'll see if it happens.

Violet I think thunderstorms affect a lot of people like that, thunderhead and an uneasy feeling.

Have an amazing day everyone!

BlankTimes

I agree about offereings.
We must be mindful of what we leave behind- otherwise it's simply litter,
I do leave offerings outdoors, but only that which will not harm- a bundle of herbs some small crystals, some food or a few flowers, small wooden item, everything must be able to be easily absorbed by natural surroundings.

Good evening wise friends,

Just sitting down with a relaxing tea and enjoying catching up with the chat here. I always find it both fascinating and comforting. It’s so good to feel connected to my sisters here. I love the thought of us going about our days, weaving magic as we go, appreciating the beauty around us in a similar way.

I’m enjoying some quiet this evening after an unusually social weekend for me. All good things but it exhausts me. I think I’m a solitary witch at heart in many senses! I’m nearing some long overdue time off work so I’ll look forward to some quiet time within it.

I’m enjoying the talk here of ancient places and their power. Fascinating how the earth, stones etc hold and give us energy. I agree that about the offerings and like others here have taken it upon myself to liberate natural places of unnatural objects. Makes me cross to see it.

The distance healing/connection is something that resonates with me too. I’ve used it a lot since my DS has been off on his travels and know that it is effective. I was blessed by a dear friend doing to same for me recently when I needed it, such a powerful and profound experience.

Re: balancing hormones I have made good friends with clary sage and geranium oils recently for this purpose- added to a salt bath I’ve found them very soothing.

I hope everyone is feeling peaceful this evening and able to feel the fresh new energy in the shift that the equinox is about to bring us 💫

Regular, NC. Merry meet!

I've been reading Wakenhyrst by Michelle Paver. There's talk of "ferishes" which seems to be ungoogleable, and don't try it at work, because it tries to be "fetish" 😂

Any wise women here know what it means please?

I haven't marked Mabon, but I feel change coming - good change. Happy Equinox to all.

Hello all,

I've been quiet for a while as I have been gathering my energy. I found the summer long and hard. I've felt much better since the beginning of September- I know a lot of others feel this too.

I had done very vivid dreams last week, my yoga teacher told me that this will be tied into the harvest moon.

Interestingly I had a dream about dowsing last night, I think I maybe more in tune than I realise!

Wishing you all happy blessings.

Good morning and a Blessed Mabon to everyone.
The sky is just beginning to brighten this morning as I have mny morning coffee.
YashmisCrone that is a beautiful fox image, I have bought myself a new fox print t shirt for yoga, I will wear it this morning.
DD starts a new placement this morning at a CAMHS children's clinic, so that should be interesting. OH will take her in by car this morning she will be able to bus it for the next 6 weeks, but easier to find the first time by car - she isn't sure of exact location.
I am just about to take her a morning coffee too- I will bless it with some healing words and support for her day.

Off for a quick spa shower- I hope everyone finds blessings today.

Thinking of my friends here as the day and night reach equal balance, the wheel turns forward and within it’s movement there is wisdom about balance.

I love it that you will be wearing your fox t- shirt today speakout ❤️ 🦊

Positive thoughts for your DD as she enters this new learning experience. I imagine she has inherited empathy and compassion from you and will bring blessings to the children she works with.

Lovely to see you Salem and interesting to hear of your vivid dreams, you are in tune!

Autumn, it’s a guess but is it more like the way fetish is used in witchcraft to describe an object imbued with magical intent? Good to feel your positive energy

Mabon Blessings to all, may the balance of today be a perfect one for you.

AutumnRose I looked up ferishes yesterday and didn't have time to post the result Looks as though they are spirits that haunt the fen. If you want to pursue it further, do ask on a folklore site. They are mentioned in a few of her book reviews
"The book is full of the folklore and customs of the local people and their belief in the spirits that haunt the fen – ferishes, Jack-o’-Lanterns and Black Shuck – Michelle Paver notes in her Author’s Note that she has not invented these." booksplease.org/2019/04/04/wakenhyrst-by-michelle-paver/

Speakout your Tshirt embraces the day!
Hope your DD can help some of the kids she'll be in contact with. Do prepare her for some of the parents being a bit short, often to have a referral it can be 18 months or more and due to the services being absolutely overloaded sometimes what we'd all say were extremely urgent cases are put on months-long waiting lists. If she wants an overview of waiting to be seen by CAMHS and the support they offer, a look at the SN boards on MN will give her the parents' perspective.

Yashmis the GatherVictoria site is wonderful, I feel inspired to make those now.

Salem yes, you're more in tune than you think.

Loving the talk of Jack O' lanterns- very seasonal. Will o' the wisp is what we call them around here.

I was greeted to an amazing display of animals on my drive to yoga thi morning, just after . Driving the coastal road low mist clung to hedgerows and fields. A fox sat by the roadside as I left my house, two deer ran across the road into thick woodland. A stoat sat by the roadside and watched me pass.
As I got out the car I was treated to amazing low fly past of geese, perhaps 100 of them all in V formation, honking loudly, stright overhead, and very low. My local coast provides winter shelter for thousands of geese from Iceland and the Arctic circle.
This cocophony was their final decent as they arrived.

Quite a morning!