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.

LittleNinja I'm so glad you're using the bad weather as an opportunity to reconnect. Daily life is so busy, it's easy to slip into a pattern of just going through the motions, isn't it? Especially when you've got small children to look after. Very exciting to have a holiday to look forward to!

Speakout the 'worst case scenario' test is really helpful, I've used this a few times with DS2, who has a tendency to be rather 'glass half full' . It's a useful way of putting things into perspective.

InTheTempest like you, I'm looking forward to the better weather now. I love spending time indoors, but equally live being outside. I went out for a very wet dog walk this morning. I enjoyed it actually, the wind and the rain felt cleansing.

Back indoors now and warming up with a coffee. I'm going to a kundalini yoga workshop and sound bath this afternoon, which I'm very much looking forward to. Then cinema tonight with DS.

Another quiet weekend for me. I spent last week playing catch up after being ill, but I made sure that I had plenty of time for myself this weekend. The storms have been kind here still; just the sort of wild winds and rain that make you feel invigorated and rinsed clean. I've been working on this drawing on-and-off this week which is how I feel: calm, clean and fresh.

I'm quite fascinated by that Gather Victoria site YashmisCrone. Have bookmarked it for a proper trawl through later. I have a book called 'Food for Free' which is a great guide to edible plants in the UK, but it's very factual, and has never made me want to pull on my boots right now to go and collect flowers for pudding like this does. And I really enjoy the background context and research she adds to her recipes.

Wishing you all the best for your driving lessons InTheTempest. Each year I say I'm going to start driving lessons again, and each year I find a reason not to. I admire the courage of people who have struggled with it, like I have, but have kept plugging away at it, like I have not.

Have a wonderful day, all.

Ogress I don't know if I would have started learning again if it wasn't for the comments my ex has been making to my DC about me! But I'm so glad I have- and more fool him because it's the biggest favour he could have done me. Oh the irony! Not driving isn't the end of the world at all- if you want to do it though I'm sure you would be able to.

Violet I'd definitely like to go to a sound bath, I've been interested when you've posted about them before.

Currently listening to some of the podcasts recommended the other day. Burning my Starchild Meditation space aroma which smells gorgeous. Think I will go get a nice salt bath though to warm up- it's freezing tonight.

Loving the chat about rose themed foods. As a child i was enchanted by the smell of a wonderful cerise pink rose in my grandmother's garden, it was so powerful you didn't need to be close up to smell it. I have been drawn to rose ever since. I make my own rosehip syrup and I bathe with rose essential oil and and LOVE cooking with rosewater.
I have The Incredible Spice Men recipe book and their rose water infused parsi rice pudding is divine. I often make it as a gift for friends if we go to dinner or Solstice gatherings.

I'm feeling quite out of step with the world at the moment and have been very insular. I don't seem to be able to settle to anything and not connecting with ritual or practice very deeply.
I am just allowing this to pass, if I overthink it then it becomes a little too existential.

I think though, tomorrow, I will make some rose rice pudding. The talk here has nudged me

Good afternoon everyone. The Gather Victoria site is wonderful, I want to try everything she makes.

Yes Yashmis and Violet there's something about stones that 'does it' for me like nothing else does Here's a great wormhole...

I'm not one for exploring different religions, but many years ago, I heard of a temple with all its stonework done in India being built in Hawaii. What interested me was some of the stone pillars would be made to sound like bells when struck and among other things, the temple would contain the largest single quartz crystal. The Iraivan temple is now nearing completion, this is pretty much up to date info - enjoy.

This link has a still image of the largest single quartz crystal in the world

Some useful info here too. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraivan_Temple including "The main murti, or worshipful icon, is a rare spathika Sivalinga, a pointed, six-faced 700-pound clear quartz crystal. In the early 1980s, Subramuniyaswami had been seeing the crystal in his dreams. He found it in 1987 and brought it to Kauai. The stone, estimated to be 50 million years old, was not cut out of rock by a miner. Instead, it was found in a perfect state encased in mud, probably harvested from its original outcropping by an earthquake"

Wow, that quartz is a sight to behold blanktimes. Crystals are beautiful, but I tend not to find them much more than that unless they're huge huge. The little tumbled ones don't do it for me, but a solid lump of raw crystal is very satisfying indeed. That one would do!

I was gifted a load of spiritual books and so have been reading loads lately. I just finished Nimue Brown's Spirituality Without Structure and really enjoyed it. Having never done organised/structured spirituality at all myself, it was interesting to consider what it gives to the people that use it, though, it made me gladder than ever to be following my own path...

queenrollo

I love the idea of rose rice pudding- sounds heavenly.
I remember being overwhelmed by floral fragrances as a child- roses, and also night scented stock- strong at twilight- I was literally transported by these fragrances.
I still love florals, roses of course, but hyacinth, lily of the valley and jasmine too.
BlankTimes what an incredible crystal! Amazing size. I love all crystals, even ice and salt!!

Ogress sounds an interesting book, thanks for that.

Wow, so many videos to watch and books to read. This thread really is a wealth of knowledge. Thank you for the links BlankTimes, I've not watched yet, but I will do. I love crystals.

I've added spirituality without structure to my reading list Ogress, it looks really interesting. I'm a firm believer in doing my own thing and follow my instinct. I don't really do rules when it comes to spirituality.

I'm enjoying all the rose talk. I'm a bit ambiguous with the smell of rose. I love the smell of the flowers themselves, but I don't like the essential oil or rose scented hand cream.

I'm still working my way through Laura Daligan's podcasts, I'm enjoying them so much. The Glastonbury one was really fascinating, I've been there a few times but didn't know about some of the legends and stories she shares. I'm going again in April to a yoga retreat, so looking forward to seeing things again with this additionally learning.

I'm reading It's didn't start with you by Mark Wolynn. It's about how trauma is passed down in families from one generation to the next, and how you can break the cycle. Interesting stuff!

I hope that everyone is well and safe from the impact of the storms. As I drove home last night we had the most incredible downpour accompanied by thunder and lightning. A favourite song came on the radio, I turned it up and sung along. It certainly felt like a powerful clearing of all the working day had entailed!

I’ve been loving following the conversation here, everyone’s connection with rose, the interesting book recommendations, that incredible temple and that stone (wow!). Ogress that picture is stunning, you are very talented.

Amongst the stormy weather, we’ve had a couple of evenings here where the sky has cleared and Venus has been so bright in the sky. Such a beautiful sight. I’ve felt a real connection with her.

www.patheos.com/blogs/poisonersapothecary/2017/05/01/venus-witch-star/

A bitterly cold day here, feeling a bit of an organisational energy here today. Fixed a shower curtain rail with DD, and tidying some shelves in the garage- very cold in there too though, so a 15 minute foray was all I could stand! It can wait for warmer temperatures.
YashmisCrone such beautiful energy of Venus, continues with the idea of Valentine/love/roses/divine feminine.
I have been thinking of Lakshi too in the past few days, her radiant beauty and abundance reminding us of our divine spirit.

I've also been doing my best with the weather - we've had biting winds and icy deluges here. I wish my walk home had included a wonderful experience like yours YashmisCrone, but I guess that might be asking too much while navigating an enormous golf umbrella down a busy pedestrian route in a gale force wind...

Oh, and thank you for the kind comment Yashimiscrone. I hope people don't mind me posting artwork here occasionally. It's part of my practice.

Continuing my books binge, I'm reading Elements of Pantheism by Paul Harrison. I have had this on my reading list for a long time, because discovering the World Pantheism site was quite a turning point for me some years ago. It really spoke to me in how I feel about the wonder, mystery and beauty of nature and our place in it, and allowed me to give myself permission to explore my spiritual side without rejecting my atheism. However, I'm halfway through and this book is dry as dust. I've read a long, factual history of how various philosophers have applied the word pantheism over the course of history, and am now reading an account of modern pantheist beliefs written in a tone that seems both aggressive and defensive at the same time. Disappointing.

Yashmis we've had some clear night recently and I've enjoyed seeing Venus too and feeling her powerful energy.

I'm really looking forward to some warmer weather now. It's encouraging to see every morning is a little lighter, and its lighter in the evenings too. I'm enjoying my daily dog walks and watching the subtle signs that's spring is just around the corner.

Speakout I've had an urge over the last couple of days to tidy and organise too. Yesterday evening I spent an hour clearing out my wardrobe and chest of drawers. It always feels to much better to have things neat and have more space.

Ogress I must have missed your drawing, I've just gone back to have a look. It's fabulous, you're extremely talented. Where do you get the inspiration for your art? I have a friend who's a spirit artist, all her work is inspired by her guides, it's quite something.

Today's been a busy one, so I'm looking forward to a warm shower. I've made a scrub to use, with vanilla and lavender oil. Then I'm going to listen to a meditation before getting an early night.

Blessings to you all.

Ogress sounds interesting.

I too am an atheist. My views are a little more complex than that, but is my quickest and most accurate description when talking to most other people!
VioletCharlotte your scrub sounds divine. I hoe you enjoyed your shower.
A maelstrom of emotion in my house yesterday, lots of unpleasant energy flying around- it continued up to and after bedtime.
There are opportunities for resolution today however.
An early start, have to pick up DD from the hospital soon.
Today will be a day of quiet cleansing and smudging. Perhaps get my trees planted later.

Have a nurturing day everyone.

Speakout
I hope things have settled down in your house and the energy's calmer now. I've been using palo santo for smudging recently, it's gentler than sage, but effective.

Some unpleasant energy around me too at the moment. DS2 was involved in an incident last night, which ended with one of his friends getting quite badly hurt. Luckily DS is safe, which I'm immensely grateful for, but shaken up.

VioletCharlotte oh violet, how awful, I hope your friend recovers soon.
I am glad your son is safe, I can imagine quite a shocking thi for him to witness.
The strange energy continues here, lots of it! Good and bad. Yesterday ended on a good note.
Up early again to get DD into the city for 7am. Then a yoga class.
I then have a manucure booked at a local beauty salon this morning, the start of some free treatments I have been given.
Home to work for a few hours, then off into town with DS this afternoon.
A gale is howling again this morning, and rain battering against my window, it's going to be unpleasant driving conditions.

I still feel that wobbly energy around, so I am a little wary of what today will bring.

Kepp safe in the storm everone.

Can I just say I find this such a comforting thread, so much great energy here. Hello again, I’m a long time lurker of this board. I have a question which I hope someone can help me with. I like to read tarot cards for myself and have done so for many years. I find it really helpful. However at the weekend I read for myself but it was in my mind about the tragic passing of the person in the spotlight who I won’t name. I feel like what happened was I ended up doing a reading of their energy and it has bothered me and saddened me. Does anyone have any suggestions about something I could do to refresh my deck or gently release this worry I have? Thanks for listening and sorry I seem to come always with questions. Thank you, wise witches 🧙‍♀️

Hope the troubled waters smooth out for everyone, and your nearest and dearest.

@VioletCharlotte
Thank you. The inspiration for drawing, for me, comes from the act of drawing. Sometime I have an image in mind, but more often I have only the vaguest idea of what I will draw. I generally start with an object, a face, or a frame with very light pencil, and build it up, adding or taking away until the picture develops around it. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't, but it's usually fun just to play.

Not much to say about what's going on, except that it's clear and calm here. The light through my window is very white and the birds are doing their thing. I'm looking forward to a relaxed Friday.

Speakout
Thank you. DS seems fine at the moment, but he does tend to hide his feelings. I've suggested to him that the feelings may come out in the days and weeks to come. I'll be keeping a close eye on him. His friend is doing ok, and luckily not as badly hurt as we first thought. Parenting young adults can be stressful!! I hope you enjoy your manicure and yoga today and make the most of some time to yourself.

Ogress that's interesting, I would love to be able to draw from imagination. You've got a real talent.

DarlingCoffee it's sounds like you're very sensitive to energy. What you're experiencing is clairsentience. You're receiving a message through sensing and feeling energy. When this happens to me, its usually because someone around me needs support. I've even had occasions when I've been given situations in dreams and, lo and behold, the next person I read for is facing that situation.

My belief is that when we read tarot, we're doing spirit's work. The feelings, sensations, visions that we receive are spirits way of telling us what we need to know. Often the feeling won't go away until you've dealt with the situation.

Light a candle and sit quietly with your cards, relax, and ask for some clarity on what you need to do. Set an intention to do your best to act on the information you've been given and ask for the sensations to be taken away It may not come straight away, but I'm pretty sure that over the next few days, you'll find yourself talking to someone and you'll get what I call a 'ping moment' and you'll know that this person needs your support.

Thank you so much for your help @VioletCharlotte I am so grateful for your guidance on this. I will stay open and see what comes up and make some time to sit with my cards this afternoon. Wishing everyone a peaceful weekend filled with magic.

Hi all, need to catch up properly but wanted to say Violet I hope your son is doing ok, good that his friend isn't as badly hurt as first thought as well.

Visited Stonehenge today, which was amazing! Did the stone circle experience at 8am- it's limited to only 30 people per session and there weren't that many of us visiting today so it was nice and quiet. We had an hour to walk around the stones and take pics, managed to get some nice ones with no one in shot! There was a lovely lady there with her children charging an impressive piece of quartz, was lovely to watch. Thoroughly enjoyed it, and would recommend doing the stone circle experience rather than general admission. I've uploaded some pics.

Just back to a levely warm house after a trip into the city with DD.
We had a lovely late lunch- Lebanese, now happy in my cosy lounge trousers after eating too much!

This week has seen the puzzle pieces thrown into the air and impossible to capture or understand, but I can feel them landing back to earth, and making sense once more. At least for the time being.
There are times in our ife for action, other times it is best not to act, but to stay still at the back and allow things to unfold. Often it is hard to know which is the time for either!
I am a person who likes to get things done, things sorted, but I am learning that isn't always the best course of action when dealing with other people.
Anyway, just off to put together a meal for other family members, as they will need dinner, even though I am full!
Stuffed baked peppers tonight, luckily I did most of the prep work this morning, just have to assemble and bake!

Hav a magical evening everyone.

Speakout your lunch yesterday sounds lovely. I agree- sometimes it is best to let things unfold but it's very hard to do sometimes and requires patience and restraint, things that I don't have in abundance but that I'm gradually learning! I hope things feel calmer for you, and that things resolved themselves positively.

I went for a meal with my parents last night, just our local pub but it was nice. I'm so glad I'm close to my family, and so lucky for the support they have given me, my whole life but particularly I'm thinking of what they have done for me since my separation. I'm in my 30s and feel I should have my life more sorted by now but they've kept me going. One of my colleagues who is also a single parent was saying the same thing yesterday, she wouldn't have got by without her family.

I've had a long lay in and need to get up! Hope everyone has a magical day 🌙☀️⭐️

InTheTempest how lovely to hear of your family support.

Not something I have experienced unfortunately.

Speakout I'm sad that you haven't experienced the same. But you give so much support to your DC and I love reading about your relationship with them, how you cook with your DS and all the support you give your DD, who sounds so incredibly hard working. I hope when my DC are older to be able to help them and have close relationships with them. I worry all the time that my ex will try and poison them against me, which is something he would do. I have nothing but bad feeling towards him because of his actions but I am neutral about him with regards to the DC- they never hear me badmouth him. It's so hard sustaining all the relationships with the different people in our lives for various reasons. But my relationships with my children are the ones I hold dearest.

InTheTempest

Thank you. I have been determined to give good support to my children in part because I didn't have it myself.

I felt my life would have been less troubled and easier with some wise and helpul family around.

Despite or perhaps even because of my battle scars I have found a strong spirit within me, and I will be a rock for my children as long as I have breath.