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.

Wow, the thread's moved on apace in the last few days!

Welcome to all new people and Hi again to everyone who is dropping in, lovely to see all of you.

invisibleoldwoman Welcome, you don't have to contribute to be part of the thread, I'm sure there are many people like yourself who prefer to just read and maybe join in with the 8+8s, that's fine, it's good to have you (all) on board.

ShrimpyTheGnome LOL, I echo Speakout's wise words, slow down although it's great that you're so enthusiastic. Take your time to learn what's right for you. Be objective, just because something suits one person, that doesn't mean it's also right for you.

There's a list of links to previous threads at the start of this one, most of your questions have been answered there, just read a few pages a day when you have time, there's a lot of knowledge there.

We don't follow a religion, what we do is a way of life and we don't all do the same things.

When you want some peace outdoors, think about visiting some of the ancient places in Cornwall, there are many where you can just sit still and "be" that aren't far from the beaten track.

Have you been to the Witchcraft Museum in Boscastle? It's definitely worth a visit.

I've just skimmed through all the new-to-me posts this morning, I noticed you asked about candles and whether to let them burn out. You also said you have 2 children - basic safety, never ever leave a burning flame unattended the risks are too great. Most T Lights can burn for 4 or so hours. when you've done, use a snuffer - blowing a candle out can spatter hot wax for quite a distance, guess how I know.

Loads of people on MN love Yoga with Adrienne on youtube.

madcatladyforever what a lovely altar to Selene, I'm especially drawn to the large selenite sphere top right.It's an amazing stone, so many different properties.

As ever, I've run out of time, have a a Magical day everyone!

Please can I join? I need support in finding myself. Had some crystal healing and chakra work done to me but think I'm possibly purging? Feeling very unwell 🙏🏻

Tigerseye81 A wrm welcome, and a comforting tea is here for you. I am sorry to hear you are not feeling well, I use crystals myself and have some experience of Reiki chakra work, but not heard of illnesss afterwards. Perhaps some tiredness.
Perhaps you have a bug or under the weather?

Tigerseye81 Hi and welcome, enjoy your tea.

I agree with Speakout energetic work tends not to induce adverse physical symptoms so it's much more likely to be either you're run down or you've caught a bug, there are loads around.

Some practitioners say you'll likely have a 3 day 'cleansing' afterwards, (autosuggestion?) but nothing that they've done should be making you feel wretched.

If you think you need to find yourself, do some quiet reflective exercises, in a nutshell, all answers to that quest lie within. Google Locus of Control, it may give you a new perspective

Hello all, welcome Tigerseye81! Good to see another new face

Has anyone else noticed how spring seems to have sneaked (snuck?) in all of a sudden? I took a different route to work today so perhaps that's why I noticed, but it seemed that nearly every bush and tree was showing signs of new life. Also this is the second day in a row where the sky has been mainly blue. Still the odd shower but the overall feeling is so different to how it has been. The light seems to be so much brighter and there's a real warmth in the sun when out of the wind. Yesterday the thought occured to me that I will not be wearing knee-high boots for much longer...

All this had prompted me to think of and look up the date of the spring equinox in my astro moon diary (which I bought thanks to a recommendation or a wormhole on here).
So, it's 20th March, a week from today and this year I plan to mark the occasion for the first time. Not necessarily with a ceremony as such or on a particular day, but by decorating a little side table I have in the living room. Also by getting out and finally giving my garden some TLC this weekend if the weather holds.

These are - quite frankly - scary times and I think celebrating the spring will be a way for me to focus on life-giving energies and keep me off The Guardian newsfeed and CV threads on MN

How about you? Have you got anything planned or underway? I'd love to hear about it.

Aww thank you for the warm welcome and for the tea, it was much needed.

Hmm yes maybe I have a virus (not bloody Corona though!! Don't start me off on that lol)
I have a banging headache, nausea and chest pains. I've had my tigers eye crystal in my bra lol.

What are everyone's religious beliefs here? I like parts of different ones, Hinduism, buddhism, witchcraft (although struggle with knowing the difference between paganism and wiccan etc??)

Namaste 💜

I have a question if someone can help?

I've been reading about candle spells, and what I'd like to know is if they can be transferred to other people.

So, for example, a healing spell involving visualisation: can I visualise someone else's pain leaving them, instead of mine?

Hi Shrimpy

Once more, learn to walk before you can run.

What you're suggesting is interfering with someone else's life, just don't, you haven't thought through all of the implications enough, because if you had, you wouldn't consider doing something like that.

Again, learn and learn some more, put your ego away, question your motives, look at all the possible consequences of your actions and weigh them up carefully. I can tell you haven't done that because of the question you asked. It's very basic beginners' stuff.
Have a look at threads one and two, there's a lot of information in there for beginners.

Oh gosh- not me! It was honestly just curiosity, because of exactly the point you made- about interfering in someone else's life. It didn't sit right with me, which is why I asked. 💕

I just read my other post back, and yes, it did sound like that was what I was intending. I wouldn't dare attempt anything like that- I know absolutely nothing yet.

Shrimpy

It didn't sit right with me

That was your answer right there no-one could give you better advice than you found within yourself.

R0sebuds it's always good the feel the wheel of the year in motion. My garden's showing signs of spring, although we could yet have some very wintry days, it's only 3 degrees today so chilly still.

Tigerseye loads of religions and beliefs here if you'd like to explore www.sacred-texts.com/
I don't follow any in particular although I do like Taoism and a bit of the sometimes inscrutable Zen.

Blue Tigerseye is nice to, have you seen any Pietersite?

Good morning all,

Well, the grey skies and rain are back so the clean up in the garden is on hold. I have been putting off cleaning out the cupboard under my sink and think today is the day it will finally get done. I'm in a mind to get baking too. Perhaps a Victoria sponge.

Re religious beliefs. Well, I was christened CofE but never went to church growing up so the only instruction religious instruction I got was through school assemblies and seasonal services (harvest festival, Christmas and Easter). It felt warm and cosy and the big take away was the idea of loving your neighbour and doing unto others as you would have them do unto you which I like.

As an adult I live in a Catholic country and am married to a non-practising one. My children have been baptised and done their first communion. Both ceremonies as teenagers, their own choice (influenced by their Catholic school environment) which we supported in the sense that we didn't oppose it, we went along to the meetings, took them to mass during the preparation period. But I was also very open with them about not sharing the same beliefs. We've had some interesting discussions, notably after hearing some outright homophobic views expressed by the priest. I often felt quite uncomfortable in church. None of the warm and cosy school assembly feelings. I found it on the whole more suffocating and guilt-inducing than uplifting.

What do I believe? Good question! I am still working that one out. I don't feel the need for a structured religion, that's for sure. Exploring the pagan way of life suits me well. Finding out how many of the festivals and customs of the church are pagan at heart is fascinating. Plus the spin the church has put on them. Pancake day for example. The pancakes represented the sun and were eaten to celebrate its return. The church has made it all about giving up your sins.

I have a lovely Buddhist colleague who is one of the happiest, most open, loving and calm people I have ever met. I'm going to explore the site that BlankTimes posted to find out more.

Enough of these musings - I have a cupboard to clean!

May the magic of spring be with you today!

My goodness this thread moves so quickly. Just back from the supermarket, panic is setting in as the world order is being challenged. That something so tiny and invisible to the eye can have questioning the way we live our life on this planet. Plastic production grinding to a halt, aircraft grounding, CO2 output pausing for a while. Gaia is screaming warnings to us.
madcatladyforever - a beautiful altar, powerful in its simplicity. r0sebuds glad you are embracing the spring it is encouraging to hear you so open to the vibrancy at this time. My energy is a slow unfurling- the past few weeks have been very challenging for me.
shrimpythegnome many of us do healing work , and I think it is one of the most instinctive things we do for others, even if we are not on an aware spiritual path. Acts and gestures to heal, using hands, touch, kind words, cool cloths, warmth, gifts of flowers- all these human acts are imbued with energy that heals, calms and restores. I would even say this is witchcraft at its most basic. Helping others, calming situations listing, showing others how to find their strength and energy are all healing acts.
Burning a bay leaf, lighting a candle of support, whispering on the wind are all ways I like to help people. I’m not too familiar with the energy/visualisation work you are doing regarding pain release. Not an area of familiarity for me I’m afraid. I’m also a crap baker and know nothing about runes!!
Blanktimes it’s very cold here also, we had heavy snow on Thursday, although some defiant brave blooms are pushing though. That’s a really interesting link, thank you, another interesting wormhole to explore with a coffee in hand!
I am not religious , I am an atheist- the closest description to my view anyway!! I don’t find any Abrahamic faith sits with my thinking. But as always my attitudes and viewpoints are works under construction. If they get to a place where I feel I have the answers then I am in trouble!!
The sunny morning has turned into a rainy afternoon. Better rescue the nearly dry laundry.

Have a magical day everyone

It’s been lovely to catch up this morning, such a haven and such a positive supportive place- a cocoon of energy very much needed for us all atm.

I’d like to add a very warm welcome to those joining us- ShrimpyTheGnome, Tigerseye, RosesandIris and anyone else who I’ve missed (apologies if I have, I’ve had a lot to catch up on!)

Shrimpy As others have said, your enthusiasm is wonderful- thank you so much from bringing this wonderful energy to our gathering. Our wise sisters have given you some helpful answers but just to add my 2p’s worth, I think that when you said ‘it’s all on me..was in me all along..’ (I’m paraphrasing of course but hopefully I’ve got the gist)I think you hit the nail on the head. This is your path, your intuition is strong and it’s great you’ve decided to follow it more. There are no ‘experts’ amongst us- what you feel is right or not is more important than any of our opinions although of course, we are very happy to provide support and ideas, have discussions.. that’s what we’re all about.

I know I was used to feeling intuition, following it was another lesson entirely. I think it can be very empowering to yield to this. Trust yourself, you really do know what’s best for your path.

It’s wonderful to feel’called’ to a path or journey- exciting stuff! Enjoy the ride, I’m glad you’ve decided to share it with us. Thank you for the energy you bring.

I loved reading about the difference a change of morning routine brought you, about your candle magic (yes, I personally would use them to send healing to others but we’re all different) and your exploration of essential oils. I know you have already had some wonderful suggestions and have made a great start on this particular journey but I felt drawn to also suggest vetiver- a firm favourite of mine and I know I keep bringing it up but I do think it is so wonderfully calming and soothing. I’ve very much enjoyed experimenting with blends including it recently.

Rosebuds, I enjoyed your musings on religion etc. and think it’s an interesting discussion that Tigerseye has started. (And as always what a fascinating wormhole BlankTimes thank you!)

I personally have a strong aversion to organised hierarchical religion for many reasons, including some of those you have mentioned in your post. I love this path and our group in particular for what speakout so beautifully describes as a ‘flat organic structure’, so much more empowering than fear based sets of rigid rules and regulations. I’ve grown so much from this group.

Interesting you should mention shadow work. I read this earlier and felt it was pertinent to our current global situation

www.facebook.com/124892437597802/posts/2892769174143434/

I love the idea of shifting our focus to the upcoming equinox and have very much enjoyed what others have shared here about the signs of spring all around us. I agree that tuning into the wheel of the year can help us step outside of the feelings of mass panic, connect us to something bigger than ourselves. I’m going to ensure some of intention is focused this way during the coming week. I like to bring in things from the garden, cook something seasonal and spend time absorbing the energy the equinox brings.

Much more I’d like to stay and chat about but I’d better get on. Like many of us, I’m trying to make sure those close to me who are unwell or vulnerable are as prepared as possible for what may affect them in the coming weeks.

Thank you everyone as ever for your wise and interesting contributions- this place is an oasis from the storms.

Love to all x

speakout I didn’t see your post when I wrote mine, as ever I love the synergy!

I love knowing nothing. Because it means I'm learning everything!

Totally off topic, sorry, but I've just posted something important in the CV section. Latest advice from French health minister: ibuprofen should not be taken for covid19 as it apparently makes things worse.
I hope it was OK to post this here, and will now go away until I have something witchy to say...

On the theme of healing, I watched HEAL on Netflix last night. It's about the mind body connection and how powerful our thoughts are. Interesting documentary and generally well made.
Thoughts are incredibly powerful in healing. How you think about another person affects them on an energetic level. We are all connected, and so what you do for another you do for yourself and vice versa.

Visualisation is also very powerful. Our words carry great power.

I've followed the work of David Hamilton for years, as well as Bruce Lipton, both are mentioned in the documentary.

I love your altar, madcatlady!

Good evening sisters

This week has been a tough one, hasn't it? Work has been incredibly challenging and busy, I've not paid as much attention to self-care as I normally do, leaving me exhausted and mentally drained.

I'm picking up on the anxiety and fear that's everywhere, as empathy I'm sure many of you are too, as we're so sensitive to energy. I find it comes in waves, and focusing on doing something positive really helps.

This thread feels like a safe haven where we can gather for solace away from it all. I've really enjoyed catching up on the posts and your collective energy has made me feel calmer. I've also just set up a private Facebook group for the people from my spiritual group (which has been cancelled for the foreseeable) so we can connect and share with one another.

I've made a promise to myself to step away from social media a bit as it's making me worse, so will be deleting various pages from Facebook and hiding threads on here (not this one of course!) I don't think the constant 24/7 news helps.

I read an article earlier reporting that people in Wuhan can hear the birds singing and see the blue skies again for the first time in years as the enforced slow down has cleared pollution... these are the stories we need to be sharing.

Love and light to you all ❤️🙏

Evening all

Violet your post has cheered me a little. My anxiety has skyrocketed this week, it's a very surreal time right now, but this thread feels a safe and comforting place to be. I don't think there's much to be done besides follow the obvious advice and carry on. I think I'm very sensitive to energy and it's hard- I'm jealous of people I know who don't get particularly panicked by these things!

Went out today for some fresh air, ended up going to Waylands Smithy- a Neolithic burial chamber. It's something I do regularly anyway but it was one of the things mentioned in 'A Witch Alone'- to make the effort to visit places with pagan associations. It's a beautiful place, and near the white horse at Uffington, another place I love to go. I love the associations with Rhiannon, and have a card I bought in Glastonbury before, as I loved the image of her with the white horse in the background.

I'll share this now, with hopes of Spring around the corner, and certainty that things will blossom again in the future.

Love to all 🌼

Thank you for sharing your beliefs with me, it's such a minefield isn't it. One thing I really struggle with is 'what happens once we pass' this is something that really troubles me and I literally have no idea where I sit with this.
Been doing some googling and think I'm a 'kitchen witch' a basic one though, but it does seem to describe me...

Tigerseye81

I think many religions strive so hard to plug the gaps in our lack of knwledge or understanding. Many seem overly obessessed with death too- so we can put up with shit now to be given the carrot once we flip over.
I accept that we cannot know everything. I am a scientist, And while part of science is quest for understanding, we accept that there is a huge amount of stuff that we don't yet know about our world and universe. It often seems that the religious are unwilling to accept the fact that there are some things we don't know.

I have no idea what happens when we die- and I am OK with that. The present in my place.

Many of us love some kitchen witchery too, making magic in a big pot is a very basic part of who we are isn't it.
I'm also a garden witch, an eclectic witch, a green witch, a hedge witch, sometimes all of them and sometimes none.

Most of all I am a me witch, I have issues with being pigeon holed, catagorised and often authority. That makes me a buckaroo witch.

Tigerseye81
My feeling is that when we leave this earth plane, we move into the spirit world as energy. This world runs alongside our own world on a different energetic vibration. I'm not certain what I think about what happens in this world or what it looks like, but my view is that we all live many, many lifetimes and each time we go 'home' to the spirit world, we take what we've learned from out life on Earth with us and become a more developed soul.

This has been my view ever since I was as young child and I found myself attending Sunday school (my parents were at a christening and all the children were put in the Sunday school while the service was ongoing). It was all about life after death, and although I don't believe in any of the 'hellfire and damnation' stuff, the idea of reincarnation totally resonated with me.

I never really had any involvement with formal religion until I went for a reading with a lady who invited me along to join her group at the local spiritualist church. I went along, more out of interest than anything else, and I was interested to find their views are very similar to my own.

I wouldn't call myself a spiritualist as I don't agree with all of it and I don't like the 'rules', but quite a bit of it resonates with me.