Any Witches Here? Part 10.

[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.

What a beautiful picture and sentiment to start the day with speakout, thank you.

I love Imbolc too for the energy you so beautifully describe.

As we prepare to emerge from the shadows, I thought this was pertinent

Wishing everyone a magical Sunday 💫

Speakout what a beautiful image - is that where you live?

I'm loving the positive energy on the thread. I'm tired this morning after a busy week, so looking forward to a quieter day today.

Love to you all ❤️

A beautiful light afternoon here. YashmisCrone a lovely image, and very wise words.
We can use out battle scars to great advantage, and rise not just despite them but because of them.

No the photo is not near me unfortunately!

I found this interesting article about the Scottish/Celtic activity of Saining.
It is a purification ritual like smudging.
I am not a hyge fan of smudging, white sage is declining in the wild die to over gathering, and I don't feel a huge affiliation to the spiritual practices of indigenous North American people.
I'm not too fond of the smell of burning sage either.
I sometimes use rosemary or heather to smudge, and this article resonates with me.

cailleachs-herbarium.com/2019/02/saining-not-smudging-purification-and-lustration-in-scottish-folk-magic-practice/?fbclid=IwAR0SvzK7bEO5NnhL2zetHBXSLShZ3fL-RfFQIOw1TIL9WlOjIGEj9Yf3l7M

Good morning wise women,
And thank you for that article speakout, very interesting reading. I do think when we engage practices that resonate with our heritage then it feels more like alignment.

Still dark here but I can hear the birds singing. I’m having a quiet moment and thinking ahead to what looks set to be a busy week. There’s tools of strength and resilience to be found in the stillness I think.

I hope everyone finds some magic in their day

Good morning. Just back from an early challenging yoga class and having a coffee before I start work.
There’s tools of strength and resilience to be found in the stillness

I love this.

There has been a frost overnight and possibility of snow- althiugh clar and bright- but very cold outside- and icy wind.
I am so grateful for my warm house, warm clothes and hot coffee.

Off to make a batch of abundance candles- with anise and cinnamon.

Good morning- an icy start to the day here. I left my bedroom window open last night, nice and cosy in bed, but I have woken up to a room like an ice box.
I have the heating on now, and back to bed with a hot coffee, will wait until the heating warms up the house before I get out of my nest!

It has been quiet here of late I know everyone is busy with family and work. I hope everyone is able to find ime to self care during busy times.
I will be making an Imbolc cake today if I have time. I'm not a great baker, but I will let you know how it goes!

I have an image of you as an ice queen this morning speakout! My car was iced up this morning but the sun is pushing through now.

It does seem like a busy time for many of us and this is when it really benefits us to light the candles, burn the oils, mindfully drink the tea etc. I love this thread for reminding me of that.

I look forward to hearing about the Imbolc cake. I saw my first bud on a daffodil in the garden today.

Wishing everyone the blessings of the goddess today ✨

Lovely thread to browse through. Really lifted my spirits on a day when I am physical quite ill, but have enjoyed the cold January sunshine through the window and the promise of Imbolc a few days away.

LesbianWitch Glad you could stop by- there is always tea in the pot.

Hope you are feeling better soon- sending healing energy your way.

Thank you kindly! I am trying to make sensible choices but have managed to demolish a chocolate trifle today when I probably should have gone for properly restorative intake.

But tea - tea is always good!

LesbianWitch

Sometimes trifle is necessary!

Good evening all. Like many of us, I've been really busy lately and feel like I'm chasing my tail! Thankfully I'm working from home tomorrow so I'll have a chance to catch my breath.

Speakout I thought of you this morning when I was listening to the weather forecast. I hope you're keeping warm and toasty.

Yashmis thank you for the reminder about burning candles, etc. I plan to light mine this evening and tune into the energy to try and quiet my racing mind!
*
LesbianWitch* trifle sounds good to me!

VioletCharlotte

Glad you can see light at the end of the tunnel.

It's a long long week here, and I have burdens, OH is unavailable all week dues to work, DD, DS, and mother all in need of support right now, lots of lifts, work is hectic.
Friday will see a release, but right now the week is eeming very long.
I do have a yoga workshop on Sunday morning three hours of nurturing- so I am looking forward to that.
Otherwise it is nose to the grindstone here, and meticulous planning to cook meals and keep up with laundry amongst everything else.

I will light a candle at 8 this morning to put air under the feet of my friends here.

Love and solidarity to my sisters. I’m experiencing my own version of a similar energy and love your intention of putting light under our feet speakout.

I’ll be joining you with a magical candle and that wonderful intention at 8 x

YashmisCrone

Thanks for popping in, it's hard when life is so heavy isn't it. It's these times that our magical practices become more important than ever, and so often the things that we forget to do, it can feel like one more chore.

It helps me to keep things to hand, my essentials oils and bath salts are close, I keep my candles, matches and incense right next to my workspace. my crystals and magical jewellery are on my bedside table, my Tarot decks are close to have in the sitting room, I can turn to them for guidance easily and quickly. I keep smudge spray in my car.

So even when I am pushed for time, it takes only a second to light a candle, splash a few drops oil in the bottom of the shower. It means I don't have to go hunting for things, and my self care and magical practice are easier things to do.
Off for a spa shower- to put some magical water under my feet!

Just back in from a grounding in my garden- in the dark in my nightclothes. The earth beneath my feet!

A quick bergamot and tangerine spa shower, just about to go downstairs and start my day.
I will have my flame burning at 8am.

I love that wild spirit speakout! Glorious Gaia energy to start the day- perfect!

Hi all, dropping back in after a long absence- as ever ordinary life gets in the way!

Lots to catch up on and will enjoy reading what everyone has been up to with a cup of tea later on.

I'm still learning to drive and I'd say I'm about 80% of the way there- my anxiety is hugely improved and I'm enjoying it. Hopefully not too much longer.

As it's close to Imbolc I thought now would be a good time to pay a bit more attention to the magic around. Hope everyone is having a good day 🌟

InTheTempest

Lovely to see you here- I'll put the kettle on. I am glad to hear your anxiety has improved, that's great news.

Speakout thankyou. I need a brew after a long day! Kettle's on now.

I noticed how much lighter it was when I left work today, can definitely feel a change in the air, although I can't say I truly feel like spring is on the way until it starts getting a little warmer!

I'd like to do some things with the DC for Imbolc, I will definitely read them that chapter in Luna Moon Hare. Planting some seeds too might be nice. Does anyone have any particular traditions of what they do at Imbolc?

Speakout love the idea of early morning grounding. Cold, but exhilarating I imagine! *

YashmisCrone* thank you for your solidarity and positive energy. I think we're all experiencing similar energy right now. The support of this thread keeps me going 😊

InTheTempest so lovely to hear from you. I often think about old friends and wonder how everyone's getting on. I'm glad you're getting there with the driving. I normally mark Imbolc by giving the house a really good, deep clean and I like to buy some daffodils and do a candle ritual. I'm going to plant some seeds too, to grow on my window sill.

I'm feeling much more grounded today after a day working from home. I started the day on a positive note with a sweet orange shower and a short yoga practise. These little things make such a difference!

Love to you all ❤️

Evening all. Just popping in for some trifle . Such excellent chat on here as always, so many ideas and inspiring words.

Very interesting reflections on creativity. I am another who wonders where it went over the years? Mine is now only expressed through organising cupboards 🤣 though I suppose there is a certain magic to that!

One of my favourite incarnations of Brigit is as Maman Brigitte, in the Voudou tradition. She drinks rum spiced with chilli pepper and wears black rooster feathers. Her veve is quite beautiful - pic here. She’s most definitely a queen! I think I read about her on here actually!

I woke today dead on 8am- thank you to anyone burning a flame at that time.
adjsavedmylife I love your description of Maman Brigitte, I love the bad ass side to the goddess, it's easier to relate to deity when you know she is down and dirty just like the woman that she is.
I have always felt a little sorry for Mary in the christian pantheon, scrubbed to within an inch, straightened and ironed, she needs to come and sit awhile with us by our fire, and we can share some whisky laced tea and have her toenails painted.

After a mammoth 10 hour sleep I am about to have a lemon oil shower to invigorate me. My mood is good and I feel centered and calm,, I am too late for the 8am candle, but will light one this morning and share some positive energy with anyone who needs it.

@VioletCharlotte thankyou, I bought some daffodils for my bedroom the other day, seeing them really cheers me up.

@adjsavedmylife Maman Brigitte sounds fabulous!

Speakout I agree re Mary. I love how female focussed paganism is with no 'purifying' of women. My favourite of the festivals is Beltane- so completely unlike anything in any mainstream religion. Allowing sexuality to be celebrated. To me following this way of life feels very much a celebration of nature and also of being who we are, not striving for perfection or purity all the time.