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.

I would also like to add my thanks to the support, wisdom, inspiration, encouragement and love of everyone on this thread on this day of women.XX

Monday morning Blessings to you all.
I've been absent but have just spent a little time dipping in and out and catching up on the thread.
It has been so relentlessy wet that I have not been able to get out in the garden/veg plot in as meaningful a manner as usual and it definitely affects my mood. I am stil feeling very sluggish and dormant.

I am cleaning my windows this morning though and the sun is streaming in and it feels wonderful.
The energy created in this thread is so powerful and I am going to sit here by the Aga with a sweet tea and let your love envelop me and nurture me.

queenrollo Lovely to see you , yes I am feeling sluggish too.
Cleaning windows is a step too far, but the sun is shining, and a brisk wind means I can do some laundry magic. Have to pop out to run some errands first- brave the supermarket, bank and post office, so hopefully the weather will hold until I get back.
This thread sustains me, the energy is palpable!

Queenrollo, I'm looking forward to the weather getting better too, all the rain and cold is making me feel sluggish too.

My anxiety levels are high at the moment, I'm waking up in the morning and my heart is racing. It's a horrible feeling, I'm trying to take care of myself as much as possible, and trying to relax.

Listening to Laura Daligan's podcast again which is helping a bit.

Hope everyone else is doing ok. Roll on spring and warmth! 🌷🔥

InTheTempest anxiety is awful isn't it- I too have suffered for many years- it can be exausting and debilitating.
I have managed to overcome my anxiety now and life is easier. For me it was a combination of things that helped, but there is hope that things can improve for you.

Speakout thankyou. It really is horrible. I've had it randomly since I was around 13, on and off throughout the years. I get quite strong physical reactions when I'm feeling anxious. I started dozing off a little while ago then cane round with a lurch and my heart hadn't really stopped racing since.

I was thinking maybe meditation would be helpful, is this a good place to start do you think? I just have so many things going on at the moment that it's hard to switch off and I'm the most stressed I've felt since early last year I suppose.

Driving lesson this afternoon too, it's not ideal to be feeling like this ahead of a lesson.

InTheTempest I get strong physical reactions to anxiety too- racing heart palpitations, sweaty palms, dry mouth, needing to pee a lot, feeling sick ,and lots more.
I thin meditation can be helpful, certainly worth a try.
For quick relief I find the 54321 gounding technique good, but there are many other techniques- I am using tapping ( EFT) to enhance my mood.

Everyone finds solutions in different places I think, for me exercise is great for lowering anxiety- especially yoga, and I had a course of CBT which helped a lot too.

I hope you find some calm soon.

Hello. I found these threads a short while ago and started at the first one. Finally caught up. Just want to say how fascinating and helpful I have found it all. I’m not describing myself as a witch but can identify with so much of what I have found here. Thank you all so much for all the wisdom and care you have shared. I am happy with my own path but perhaps if life had taken a different turn in my youth I may have delved into pagan/wicca/witch things.

There has been so much synchronicity with what has been going on in my life I don’t know where to start. But essentially I have been making a fairly turbulent transition to Cronedom over the last few months. Fascinated by the link to the Jane Hardwicke-Collings blog about Maga/Crone. And Mercury in retrograde – explains a lot.

They say that when the student is ready the teacher(s) will appear.

Have fallen down so many wormholes I can’t begin to list them all. I especially love Collette O’Neill and Bealtaine Cottage. The book about sea witching is fascinating. So practical and down to earth.

I love the spa shower idea. Why didn’t I think of that?

So I felt I had to express my gratitude to you all. I will continue reading but doubt if I have anything to offer in return. I expect there are many lurkers like me.

Today I went for a swim/steam/sauna and then visited a beach on the way home for the first time. Astonishingly wild and beautiful place. With a wonderful café!

invisibleoldwoman

A very warm welcome, grab a seat, the teapot is always hot. I am glad you have joined us, and your wise words and stunning photographs are already a wonderful contribution.
Many of us here are also crones- you are in good company! It is a powerful phase of life, because it contains all three faces of women. We become resolved.

Speakout I remember you mentioned EFT the other day and I'm going to look at trying that among other things. The anxiety and my mental health is really affecting me now so I've made a GP appointment too. Will do all I can to conquer this.

Invisibleoldwoman lovely to see you here, and I believe all of us here have something to offer. Your photos are beautiful, what a gorgeous place to stop for a cup of tea.

We become resolved.
speakout your powerful words have touched my heart. Just what I needed to hear today, thank you 🙏

invisibleoldwoman welcome
I’m glad you’ve joined us and I’ll echo the sentiment that you can and already have contributed.

Those beach photos are like nectar to my soul. Like Violet I’ve been craving that glorious sea energy.

By engaging with us through reading, falling down the same wormholes etc we’re all resonating in energy, you and other lurkers (👋 we’d love you to pop in and say hello too!) are adding to the mix. Thank you too.

Tempest sorry to hear you’ve been struggling. Anxiety can be such an unruly beast can’t it. speakout has shared some really helpful ideas and I agree we all build up our own toolboxes over time with a range of strategies that work for us, including as you say a visit to the GP when it’s needed. My toolbox includes meditation, wild water, rescue remedy, valerian, essential oil blends, reframing and self soothing techniques and at times I have used prescription meds. It changes over time and I’ve become more attuned as to what tool to reach for as I’ve learned to trust my intuition more. I hope you got through your driving lesson ok and that the GP is helpful when you see them.

Queenrollo it’s lovely to see you. I agree with you and speakout that the energy here is so nourishing and provides palpable sustenance. Window cleaning can be such a magical and symbolic act can’t it, letting in the light.

I hope the powerful moon brings positive shifts for us all, I’ll be making moon water for manifesting and new beginnings.

Bright blessings sisters 🌕

Yashmis thankyou. The lesson didn't go too good today- I've not even been keeping track of how many hours I've had anymore but I know it's a lot. I actually feel like I've got worse in the past couple of weeks. All the anxiety I had about being on the road has completely gone- now I'm just scared I'm some idiot who won't be able to do it. I'm not giving up but I'm really anxious that I just can't do it.

I also didn't even get an interview for a job I went for that I know 100% I can do. So today really hasn't been great but I'm just going to keep going I guess- no other way! I'm going to explore all the suggestions from Speakout and yourself, and hopefully with some prescription medication too I can conquer the anxiety a bit.

I'm going to go read 'A Witch Alone' for a bit and then practice some guided meditation before bed I think.

I'll try charging my rainbow moonstone in the full moon tonight 🌕 I too hope for some positive new beginnings for us 💐

You can do it Tempest and you will; give yourself time, you’ve come a long way already with it.

Sorry to hear about the job, I hope the one that’s right for you is just around the corner.

I don’t practice yoga myself and I know we have well practiced yoga witches amongst us but I do find this very calming and relaxing. Might be another one to consider for the anxiety toolbox if it appeals

www.doyou.com/6-benefits-of-legs-up-the-wall-pose-48440/

Good morning.
A night sleeping under a full moon is always the deepest and dreams the most vivid of the whole month.
I fell asleep before 9pm last night, and just woken.
InTheTempest sorry to hear about your driving lesson and job, please don't be hard on yourself, anxiety effects all areas of our life, there will be another job around the corner and you will pass your test.
Have you seen your GP recently? It was through my GP that I was referred for CBT, which although isn't for everyone was very helpful for me.
YashmisCrone is right about the toolbox, having methods and strategies to hand empowers us when we are dealing with something like anxiety.
I still consider myself a very anxious person, but I have learned how to deal with that so effectively that my life is not impacted.
In fact I probably use strategies on a daily basis without even thinking now- they have become second nature. Thinking about a typical day, I usually have several points that I use some tool to calm and ease my thoughts.
Recognising the start , or situations that may trigger, watching for escalation. I have several "go to" crystals that I may wear, pop inside my bra or hold in my hand. Peppermint or Chamomile tea, and I say a few words of blessing - for calm before I drink, so every sip of tea becomes a calming act.
I love Molly roberts moon videos for calming, I pop to my local wood, even if only for 5 minutes, I use some calming oils, of a scented candle. Grounding, clearing, even opening some windows and feel some cool fresh air. I still use CBT on a daily basis.

All sounds a lot of work, but I actually give these techniques very little thought, and most are enjoyable anyway, and are woven into my magical practices and self care anyway. Each little strategy may seem ineffective alone, but stacking many up together or at different times can be powerful.
Keep popping in here too- we are here to support and others wil have some good ideas too.

Off for a facial this morning at a beauty salon, so excited at the thought of being pampered!

I will reply properly later, rushing to get ready for school run and have another driving lesson, but speakout thankyou. That's brought a tear to my eye. Thankyou for this thread 🌷

Enjoy your pampering! ⭐️

Just thought I'd pop my head in...

I'm new to all this!

ShrimpyTheGnome

A warm welcome- always a place by the fire. Sit a while, enjoy the atmosphere.
Lovely to have a newcomer.

Thank you!

I haven't a clue where to start!

I've always had a natural intuition regarding other people: I know things without them telling me. I'm really not explaining this properly! 🙈

Ok...

So I've only read this thread. And I'm only on page five atm...

Some people mention that they're "drawn" to certain aspects. I'm brand new- but that I can relate to. I'm drawn toward energy healing, and the rituals of lighting candles.

I meditated for the first time ever today. This is coming from someone with ADHD and Aspergers, who can't sit still for more than two seconds without being distracted! And I did it!

Everything makes sense here.

I'm in an extremely volatile, stressful situation at present, and I long for peace. And I believe I'm in the right place to get it. (Cornwall)

ShrimpyTheGnome good to have you here.

Your path is yours alone- and whatever your challenges or circumstances you will find a warm welcome here.
Many of us have life challenges too on this thread- you are not alone.
It is fantastic that you feel drawn to healing and candle rituals.
I love those aspects too!
Take some time, no need to rush, there is always hot tea in the pot, and the most wonderful group of women to support you here.
I am so glad you are here.

Found you again after a long gap. This thread keeps dropping off my watched list.

RosesandIris

Glad you found us again!

I was a devout Christian for years. It was very regimented, and, I felt, there was only a choice of one path. I never felt worthy enough. Still don't, if I'm honest.

I'm wanting to try the whole self care thing too.

So...

Those of you who are drawn to using candles/essential oils for spells and charms, would you mind if I asked a few questions?

1. Which oils would you recommend I buy as a sort ofn"starter kit"?

1. And this is going to sound stupid: does the wood type of trees/types of flowers/whatever matter when having to use petals etc? I'm blind- I can obviously differentiate between things by smell, but I wouldn't know what to look for if I was foraging, because I have very little sight.

1. Could someone please point me toward some decent reading material, for a complete beginner? I know I can "do stuff", I just don't know what that "stuff" is known as. Or how to control it, or hone it, or whatever.

I'm overwhelmed, because I feel I've found my "thing": that's the one thing I AM sure about- that this is for me- but there's so much to take in!

Sorry about all the questions.

I'd love to learn about the different stages of the moon too. It doesn't matter that I can't see the moon: I have an app.

Oh- and what should I be meditating on? I've done mindfulness before. Should I be focusing my energy someplace? Or emptying it?

Good evening. Flying in and crash landing on a beanbag after a somewhat busy day! It's good to come and sit with the gentle energy for a bit and catch up on the thread.

A warm welcome to all newcomers. It's lovely to see some new faces.

InTheTempest
Sorry to hear your struggling at the moment. Anxiety is horrid, I'm fortunate not to really suffer with it but I have a few friends who do so I understand how hard it can be. Please don't give up on your driving, you will get there. Try not to put pressure on yourself, it doesn't matter how long it takes, you will get there in the end. A number of us on the thread found learning to drive hard - I wonder if it's something to do with us being the type of people who work more with the intuitive, creative side of the brain, rather than the logical? I think it must be much harder now than it was when I learned in the 90's. The test itself is harder, plus there's so much more traffic! You'll get there though. With regards to the anxiety, I don't know how old you are so maybe way off here, but do you think it could be related to peri-menopause? ? A few of my friends in their late 40's say they have become notable more anxious, and have been told by the GP it's a fairly common sympton. I agree with Speakout that it's worth speaking to your GP. Also yoga. Yoga is amazing for your mental and physical health, it really is like magic. You need to practice fairly regularly to really feel the benefits, but there are loads of videos online if you can't get to a class.

Speakout so glad you enjoyed a deep sleep under the full moon energy. This moon feels particularly powerful, I'm a little disappointed there is too much cloud to see her, even though I know she's still there.

Invisibleoldwoman thank you for the beautiful beach images. I'm really craving some sea energy at the moment, hopefully I'll be able to get down to the coast soon.

ShrimpyTheGnome How many oils are you hoping to buy to get you started? Initially, I think I'd go for Lavender, Peppermint, Vanilla, Lemon, Orange and Frankincense, but it's very much a personal thing. I tend to go by intuition and make blends for my diffuser, scrubs, spray, etc based on what I'm drawn to. My belief is what you're drawn to is what you need at that time. Reading material - do you listen to podcasts and videos? I've recently discovered Laura Daligan, you might like her stuff. Or if you have Kindle Audible, you could try Deborah Blake. I love her books.