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.

Beautiful. Strong and fierce speakout I love that.

I love your intention and can feel that wonderful warrior energy, thank you 🙏

I'm planning to do my first little bit of spellwork tonight and keep the Samhain energy going. The candles and incense will be lit again and I will take another few moments to give some thought to my ancestors. Then tomorrow will be a nature walk in the rain to cast some (fully organic) ritual items into a river. It has been so lovely to read about what others are doing and get some ideas for next time! Hope you all have a great All Hallows Day full of positive energy and autumnal colour.

I have posted here before under another name, and read when I can remember! I just heard about this book and wondered if anyone else has read it or heard of it? I'm waiting for it to arrive.

www.amazon.co.uk/Gentleman-Faun-Encounters-Elemental-Kingdom/dp/1844091791?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Loving reading everyone's contributions, this is such a nurturing thread.

The other day I found my tarot cards again. Theyve been missing for about two years, since I completley re-decorated and it turns out they'd been shoved on top of my wardrobe! I was never that good at them, had a good unserstanding of the minor acarna but struggled with the major and would have to look the meanings up.

Anyway I got them out and shuffled and Im not kidding the same card jumped out of the pack at least for our five times. Its done it again yesterday. The Knight of Pentacles! I know pentacles are generally related to financial and work matters, I took it to mean that its a man offerning me a job. No idea why, but will watch this space as I do feel a bit fed up career wise.

Popping in to catch up while I drink my coffee. It's a wild and windy day again here, but I'm feeling positive and full of energy after a wonderful spirit group last night and powerful yoga class this morning.

Speakout your post about warrior energy really resonates with me. I have a new guide working with me who is a warrior. When he first showed himself to me, he was firing a cross bow! I feel he is here to bring me strength, and courage. I'm looking forward to learning from him.

A little while ago, Yashmis shared a fabulous bee meditation with us which I really loved, and since then I've got really into the Shamanic drums, I find them hypnotic and they seem to make it easier to slip into a meditative state. I thought I'd share this link with you as I really enjoyed it.

Blessings to you all for a beautiful weekend 🙏

For those who were interested in the labyrinths, here is the turf maze near me, photographed when I visited it this morning. I was able to walk around it and then have a moment of quiet reflection in the centre. There are various theories about what these mazes were originally used for, but my favourite one is that the spirits of the wise people of a community would be held in the centre of the labyrinth, and you could go there to consult with them during liminal times when the veil between worlds was especially thin. It seemed appropriate so close to Samhain - a very powerful place.

Then I was browsing in a sort of gift/antiques shop in the town nearest the maze, and look what I found - I had to stop myself doing a little happy dance in the middle of the shop. It is apparently a salt holder that people would use at the dinner table, but the three legs and the general shape all screamed "cauldron" to me. It is exactly the right size for my altar and I'm completely enamoured with it. I love serendipitous finds like that!

Quickly zooming in to park the broomstick by the Aga. Hope everyone's Samhain celebrations are going splendidly

Welcome to every one who is new and those who have returned re-named at this wonderful time of year.

Thank-you to everyone who is also taking part in the 8 and 8, the energy is amazing.

SunsetBoulevard3 no, I've not read it, but if his encounters with Pan then led him to Findhorn, it should be a fascinating book.

Cernunnos I know that maze and have visited several times. It is a magical place indeed. Strange how it can be almost invisible from the road when you're looking for it. Did you stand on the bench to take the photo? I did. What a wonderful find for your altar too.

Hope everyone's weekend is magical.

Good morning.

A wet weekend here, but I have been enjoying the drumming on the windows . Feeling very autumnal and cosy.
I am focussing on being mindful this weekend as part of my self care.
Life can get so busy and frenetic, when I get overloaded I start to lose keys, have small accidents- dropping glasses, burning food etc.
A reminder to slow down and move with greater intention.
Not always easy when demands are high, but I can choose to cut out some uneccessary activity. Some housework can wait, I could make do with food from the freezer insted of the supermarket- my carpet won't disintegrate if it waits another day or two for a hoover.
And ask others to share the load if things are too much.
I am a fixer, and want to make others feel cared for. But often if I ask for help they are usually more than happy to share the load.
I forget that sometimes.

So as I finish my coffee I will head off into the shower- I am so in love with my new Bee Sandalwood soap that I bought from a chinese supermarket.
I am trying to cut plastic in the bathroom, solid shampoo is next- all suggestions welcome!

Then an hour of Body Pump, before settling down to tackle a big order at an easy pace- with lots of calming tea.

Have a magical day everyone.

Good morning everyone from a rather damp Somerset.

I'm off out for a much needed catch up day with my favourite sister,rain or no rain,it's going to be a lovely day,we've not seen each other for far too long since she moved to Wales.

Hope today is as nice for everyone else no matter what the weather is like.

BlankTimes I thought about it, but my boots were filthy from yomping about in the woods, so the photo was taken from the ground. It's a great place, isn't it? There's also a compass marker stone next to it so you can face the four quarters - I'm sure that must be for the benefit of witches and pagans who come to visit.

Today is a cleaning day. I've let my home get a little slummy under the influence of a blue mood that lasted most of the summer and I need a clean, calm space now, one that I can look forward to coming back to every evening. I will also be going out for pizza with some friends afterwards so will regard that as my very immediate reward!

Wishing everyone a day that is whatever you hoped it would be, whether that is productive, peaceful, reflective, or fun-filled.

Speakout there seems to be a lot of synchronicity between us this weekend. I too have been taking time out for self care. Just recently I've found my weekends have been caught up in pleasing other people. I've been thinking a lot about focusing on what's really important to me - what do I need to do in order to learn and grow? What brings me joy?

I was reading something the other day about how truly listening to what we need will elevate us, but also those around us. This really resonates with me.

So today is all about listening to what my body and soul really needs. I started the day with a ten minute meditation at 8am, connecting with your magical energy, honouring myself and each one of you. After my morning brew, I'm going to see my little nephew who is celebrating his sixth birthday today. This afternoon I'm going to walk my dog in the forest, then home to batch cook some nutritious food for the week ahead.

Love to you all for a beautiful Sunday ❤️

Good morning all

It’s lovely to read of the wonderful energy present with many this Sunday.

I’m still tidying out and clearing up. It feels like that sort of a phase. I think of it like gardening - a change of season. Unless the garden is cleared or cut back there can be no new growth.

I don’t have any answers as yet to my current situation. It feels like a waiting stage so I’m being patient (or trying to be!) and concentrating on lots of self care.

I was encouraged speakout by you saying that there is no need to be an expert in Tarot. Last week I asked for three cards relating to this situation. I drew The World, the Lovers and the Knight of Cups. Other than the Lovers these are not cards that I have drawn before.

I recognise that major arcana and court cards represent an important stage / learning. The World of a circle or cycle, or completion. The Lovers of love. I don’t generally get Cups cards but understand that it is the suit most closely aligned to emotions. A knight so an active figure. The movement of emotions. All of which seem very apt or descriptive of my current situation. However I didn’t get any clear view or sense of where this was headed.

Over the past week I have tried to focus on open heart open mind and then drawn a single card asking what do I need to concentrate on at this moment / learn now.

The first time I drew The Star.
A few days later I drew The World.

Could anyone help me with their view of these cards please? Generally they seem positive to me but I’m not sure.

VioletCharlotte it's lovely that our energies are working in tandem right now, all that warrior work!

I have been reading and meditating with Lakshmi, she is an expert in self care, and also knows that the secret of caring for others starts with caring for ourselves.
She teaches us to open our heart to abundance, firstly accepting the gifts that we have to give to ourselves- in whatever form that takes.

I am practicing self care in several ways but one area that I often neglect is my attention to skin, fragrance, jewellery etc.
I wash and wear clean clothes, but often that is the extent of my grooming.
Part of my mindfulness is thinking about ways to enhance the experience of daily personal tasks.
I bought myself a new ( well second hand) table for my bedroom, and taking time to enjoy using creams and body butters.
My jewellery is stuffed in to a drawer in a higgle piggle, this needs sorting out now that I have more space, and I aim to do this in a compassionate self nurturing way.
I lit a candle as I dressed this morning, put coconut oil on my feet before I put my socks on.

I know some of us already pay ourselves homage in these ways, but for me routines have become a little barren in that department, I will find a picture of Lakshmi to put up in my bedroom to remind me that the devine resides within us all, and deserves to be treated gently and with care.

I hope you enjoy your day of self compassion and nurture, an energy I would like to share with everyone here.

Gee when you draw a card, do you ask for guidance on a specific situation? If not, maybe give this a try, it ask "what is it you want me to know?". Then turn the card and see what happens, what feelings do you get? What pictures come into your mind? The cards all have a meaning, but try not to go too much by what the book says. The card is just a channel, it'll point you in the right direction, but the real insight will come from spirit/ your intuition/ the universe (depending on your belief)

Having said that, I find it hard to read for myself as my own brain takes over! I much prefer reading for others, ideally people I've never met before or know very little about.

Speakout so good to hear you're taking the time to nurture yourself. You do so much for others, I'm glad your taking some time to honour yourself ❤️

Hi Violet Charlotte thank you for your reply.

Yes I asked for guidance on a specific situation when I drew the single cards this week. That gave me firstly the Star and a few days later The World. I am not familiar with either so had to look them up. However both seemed positive to me.

I’m considering a big change. Giving up my current job and moving much farther away (or to an adjacent country where I can also work) in order to be with a significant other. It would also be closer to family. However it would mean a lot of upheaval and giving up my life here. I would also have to formalise a lot of currently untidy loose ends.

I do believe that things will come to me intuitively and I’m trying not to force it. I also feel that things will work out well in the end. But I don’t know which way that will be!

Interesting times!

Gee
I couldn't resist pushing into your cards!

You're being told to go for it and make that move. The World is a big card, it's all about travel "the world's your oyster", The Knight of Cups tells me that on a subconscious level, you've already made your mind up to make the move, although you may not have acknowledged this yet on a conscious levels. You're following your heart and being led by your emotions and desire to be near loved ones. For me, The Lovers often means a split. I want to talk about someone or a situation that you're connected to that you would be leaving behind if you move and that's causing you some anxiety. I feel, actually, that this needs to happen and although you might not have realised it yet, I'm sensing some over reliance on you, you'll look back and feel some relief and a sense of freedom.

Your second draw - The World and The Star - Spirit want you look at the bigger picture. By showing you these cards, they're asking you to look at things from a different perspective. You say the move will take you far away from where you live now. Consider now the size of the UK. Now consider the size of the UK in comparison to the whole of the world. Now consider the world in comparison to the size of the universe ... and so on. Suddenly your move doesn't seem so far. If we're lucky, we spend around 80 years on earth. The earth has been here around 4.5 billion years. In 5 years time, those loose ends won't seem significant. So go for it!

How exciting!! ❤️

VioletCharlotte thank you so much!

I’m just about to arrive to visit a friend who is unwell but once I’m back this evening I’ll reflect back to you on your uncannily accurate interpretation. 😊

Wonderful energy on our thread this weekend, lots of inspiration and encouragement as ever 🙏

Look who popped up on my fb timeline

YashmisCrone Loving the warrior energy! Kali is fearless, yetin a protective way, fighting for what is right and the vulnerable she cares for.
A powerful deity.Strong goddess coffee this morning, off to yoga soon, there is something so right about exercising in bare feet and feeling planted.
I spent a lot of yesterday working while a curry was simmering in the slow cooker.
Managed to power through a lot, DS helped me for a few hours packaging stuff, which really helped- the post office will love me today!!

I love the Tarot explanations here, I was looking out some of my old decks this weekend too. DS and I have been having some really interesting discussions about morphic resonance and collective subconcious in the past few days.
There are lots of benefits to having him help me with work!

I hope you all find magic under your feet today.

Spent the best day with my favourite sister yesterday,down in Lynton. The colours and the atmosphere were gorgeous. Exmoor was stunning in it's autumn foliage.
And the walk up the gorge - well words fail me about how beautiful,stunning,powerful the energies were. I'm still feeling the effects this morning!

Last week I learnt a valuable lesson from toddler DD. Her little legs have finally got long enough to tackle the walk home from nursery, it took twice as long but this where I learnt from her; to stop and look at things.

I do the walk regularly, but I am always in a rush. She asked me lots of questions, was fascinated by the lamppost etc. Then she asked me asked me what "that was". That tuned out to be a collection of red toadstools.

I have been walking past them for a while! I need to slow down and look at things with a fresh pair of eyes and engage an inquisitive mind.

DD took this photo so we could show DH when we got home. He too had been walking past and not noticing.

Good morning all

What a lovely bright day today and some wonderful energy on this thread.

VioletCharlotte I wanted to thank you again for your kindness in looking at my cards and reflect some of that interpretation back to you.

I smiled when you used the phrase “ the world is your oyster”. It was a favourite saying of a deceased family member who used it to encourage me in everything so that was a vivid reminder of the past.

I also hadn’t thought that the knight might represent me or my decision. I could see that it represented movement and emotions (or even perhaps an individual) but I hadn’t made the connection to me personally. It now seems obvious but I hadn’t connected it sufficiently.

You also clearly identified that there is a situation / connection that would be left behind if I were to move away from this area. There are significant structural and personal ties to my life here. However even the thought of moving gives me the sense of freedom and relief.

Deep down when I think about this move I’m sure that things will work out well. However it is a lot of upheaval and it’s quite scary (!) so I think I’m taking my time in coming to my decision as a way of not being overwhelmed.

I hadn’t thought of the World and the Star as showing a different perspective but again that resonates with me. I had been looking at them as a person would when looking up at the stars or another world. If I think of them looking down upon earth then as you say my “huge” move is barely a blink of an eye. In many ways that’s very comforting.

Your reading has given me a lot of food for thought - in a good way - and made a number of connections for me that I hadn’t quite seen. I wanted to thank you again for your kindness in giving me your interpretation, “holding up the mirror” so I could see things more clearly.

Have a blessed day everyone!

I got a lot done yesterday in terms of cleaning. I just wanted to ask, though, for those of you who have experienced hormonal changes, how do you stay positive and tuned in to that energy?

I ask because I am having a rough time at the moment with the menopause. I feel ill and run-down, like I want to sleep all the time, but then when I go to bed, I'm struck down with insomnia. I am really struggling to see my female body and energies in a positive light. I don't feel powerful and in tune with nature; I feel ratty and uncomfortable. Having struggled for so long with body image, this is alarming to me and I was wondering what others have done to reconcile themselves with the difficulties that can come with being a woman, and the concept of Goddess energy. Are there spells and rituals to help one through this time of life?

I don't want to bring down the lovely energy of this thread, and I would love to be able to radiate the kind of serenity and wisdom that comes from the people who post here.

SalemSpellman
Fantastic- little ones can give us quite a lesson in mindfulness can't they.
MotherHeggy beautiful pictures- so full of energy.

Cernunnos so sorry to hear things are rough during this transition.
I think we all experience it differently, some of us find it more challenging than others.

I have to admit I didn't find the change difficult. I guess that is down more to luck than anything.
Keeping fit, eating well and getting plenty sleep is key to my energy levels, I have done exercise a fair bit in my life, not so much when the kids were young as no time, but for me it is a big key. I do a couple of yoga sessions a week, and two of weight training- if I miss it for a few weeks my energy levels and mood really plummet.

Now that I am a fully fledged crone ( although always have a sacred piece of maiden and mother inside me too- we never truly let go of the other aspects) I have found a clarity and ease that I have never had in my life. I am really enjoying this aspect of my being.

So hang in there- continue to nurture yourself in whatever way feels good to you. The best may be yet to come!

Good afternoon everyone.

Speakout it's great that DS is interested in Rupert Sheldrake, I like a lot of his inspirations too. Link for anyone who has not yet encountered him
www.sheldrake.org/research/morphic-resonance

Mother Heggy Wonderful images, thank-you!

Gee that's the wonder of this Witches Kitchen isn't it, the sharing of Knowledge about interpretation that Violet did so well for you and the sharing of knowledge in general.

Salem I'm pretty sure they're Fly Agaric mushrooms, used in Witches Flying Ointment and other things. Loads of shock horror red flag don't touch with a barge pole advice online BUT some sensible stuff too. I like this guy's approach to all wild foraging.
www.gallowaywildfoods.com/fly-agaric-edibility-identification-distribution/

Cernunnos I found that trying natural things that other people recommended until I found the right balance for me helped. the best thing for coping with the night sweats was buying some fabulously thick large fluffy towels and putting one between me and the bottom sheet on the bed was much easier than changing the bed and stopped the waking up saturated feeling.

If you're not already taking some, try an all in one multi vitamin and mineral supplement, give it 3 months to see if it has any effect. You don't have to pay a fortune for named brands. Aldi's own are as good as any. Be careful not to take too much of one thing though if you're taking extra things too. As ever check and check again.

All transitions can be a bit bumpy, it's a shock to see your fertility is waning and yet nature abhors a vacuum, so part of the change is letting go, acceptance and looking forward to sharing all the knowledge you've accrued so far. Crones are Wise Women and have a lot to offer.