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.

Thanks all. I'm conflicted about it really - I have never had, or wanted, children so the loss of my fertility doesn't bother me. I welcome it in a way, as I feel like it frees me from expectations that one day I will "change my mind" (I should add that it's a very early menopause so I was very much still on the radar for other people's unwanted comments on that front!) What I'm really struggling with is feeling so rubbish so much of the time. But you're right that I absolutely could eat better and pay more attention to my nutrition. That's a big part of self-care that I often neglect when my mood is low, and which I am sure makes me feel worse. Exercise is a tricky one because of some physical issues but I could do more walking and try to spend more time outdoors.

I'm fine with becoming a Crone! I wish there was a word for mature women who haven't had children, though, as I can't call myself a Mother but I'm a long way from qualifying as a Maiden!

@BlankTimes thank you for the article. I didn't consider eating the mushrooms, I assumed they would be poisonous. I did enjoy looking at them, they are so vibrant in colour, Mother Nature gives us some truly beautiful things in the most unexpected places.

Cernonnos have you considered HRT? I know all of use on here prefer natural therapies where possible, but menopause symptoms can be so debilitating. There's no shame in looking to medicine to replace the hormones your body needs. A couple of my friends recently started on the HRT patches and said it's made a massive difference to their quality of life.

Salem I loved reading about your DD spotting the magic fairy toadstools (as I call them!) You're right, we can learn so much from children. They see the world very differently to us.

Gee it was a pleasure! I'm so pleased my reading resonates with you and has given you some things to think about 😊

MotherHeggy your day out sounded fantastic. What a lovely place, such beautiful scenery.

I hope everyone's had a magical day 💫🌟

Just sitting down with a peppermint tea and catching up with the insight, wisdom and sisterhood shared in this wonderful place.

I don’t seem to be able to contribute much at the moment but I can’t tell you how affirming and uplifting it is to sit quietly for a while and soak up the energy and support everyone shares here. I’m benefiting a great deal from our 8 & 8s too.

Thank you beautiful sisters 💖

VioletCharlotte I may well look into it. I was really against the idea, not for anti-medicine reasons but because I didn't want to drag the process out for any longer than necessary. But, since it's doing that all by itself..! It would be nice to feel vaguely human again so I think I will go and see my GP and chat about the options.

Thank you for the suggestions, everyone. I've been out and got some nice, natural vegetarian foods and I will be taking more care to make better choices with what I put in my body.

I'm off to do some candle-aided meditation with some flower scented tea lights I bought today, and then I'll have some cuddles with my snake. I know this won't be everyone's idea of a calming evening, but he's a young, vital animal with a simple reptile mindset, and spending time with him is always my favourite part of the day.

Sorry Violet but I strongly believe HRT is a definite case of don't just recommend taking pharmaceuticals for it.

Please be aware that the most commonly prescribed HRT drug is Premarin. It is made from Pregnant Mares Urine hence the name Pregnant Mares U rine

Now Google Premarin Mares Images

Who could take that knowing what's in it ? All those mares, +/- 750,000 per year kept in such ghastly cruel conditions.

"Tied in small stalls, unable to move either backwards, forwards, or sideways or lie down comfortably, they stand with sacks strapped to their groins for months on end. In order to make the urine more concentrated, their water intake is restricted, so the horses are constantly thirsty. The foals are considered “byproducts,” and most are fattened up, slaughtered, and sold for horsemeat or turned into dog food." Source www.peta.org/about-peta/faq/my-doctor-wants-me-to-take-premarin-but-i-understand-its-made-from-horse-urine-is-this-true/

We are women, we all go through the menopause, it's part of a natural cycle, no-one's died of the menopause, its symptoms aren't to be fought, it's a natural change for all women, has been for countless thousands of years, yet in our so called advanced age the most heavily promoted intervention for it is such a vile and cruel thing.

In this day and age, there's absolutely no excuse for not knowing exactly what's in the drugs you take, the information's easily available.

There are plant based alternatives available I've no idea if any are on prescription, you may have to buy them privately but please, please consider taking something that's not a cruelty product.

I agree with you @Blanktimes.
I am shocked at how many women don't seem to know where HRT comes from, at least that type. Even doctors don't seem to know, or care.

Good evening, all

I've been curious about Wicca / Paganism for a while and found this thread. Wanted to pop in and say hello before I do some back reading of the previous threads.

I feel like a spiritual person but I haven't found an "outlet" for it, if that makes sense? I was brought up CofE and I know that's not where I belong.

Anyway, as I say I didnt want to snoop through 10 threads and not even say hello!

ThrilledToTiddlyBits

A warm welcome, there is always space by the fire, always lovely to see a new face.

Blanktimes in that case I take retract my suggestion about HRT. I had no idea that was where it came from. I've not reached the stage in my life yet where I need to investigate it properly, my post was just based on feedback from my friend on how much better she felt after taking it. I'm a vegetarian so wouldn't support anything that caused unnecessarily suffering to animals. Thank you for making me aware 🙏

Good morning! I've been quiet for a few days, while waiting for things to come to pass. The positive feeling I had last week has proved true and Ive just been enjoying this new situation. I woke up very early this morning and have made the most of it by having some quiet time away from the husband and toddler and enjoying my tea

Good morning- I'm an early riser too ChangeyMcChangeChange.
There are five of us in the house, and everyone will be at home mostly all day. As much as I love my family I crave solitude and peace, getting up early gives me some time to have space to myself.

I am glad energy is flowing in a positive way for you right now. I am just finishing my morning coffee before making a start.
VioletCharlotte I didn't know that about HRT either. I am over the menopause now and had very few symptoms, so HRT was not something I considered.

Interesting that some women in other cultures for example Japanese don't tend to suffer menopausal symptoms as much as women in other Western societies.
Factors such as diet and lifestyle may be implicated, social ideas too.
Interesting read

womeninbalance.org/2014/09/17/menopause-around-the-world/

I’ve been enjoying the fortification of the quiet morning time too. The air is still and cool, birds singing and the light is soft and hazy.

Welcome ThrilledToTiddlyBits, It’s good to have you join us.

Wonderful to hear of your manifesting success change and also of how you are savouring it.

I’m going through the menopause too Cernunnos and have taken on board the advice of our sisters here who have already experienced this transition. More time in nature, taking time to retreat within and working with essential oils have helped. A wise friend reminded me of this book from which the attached extract has come.

www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/books/valerie-ann-worwood/fragrant-pharmacy/

I’ve also been taking these

www.vitabiotics.com/menopace/calcium

Although I may switch to something more herbal once they run out as some of the vitamins are easily absorbed through a balanced diet anyway.

Thank you for the article speakout, it’s very helpful to view our experience through a different lens. On the subject of reframing I found this one too

www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/10/the-secret-power-of-menopause/596662/

Wishing everyone a magical day 💫

Last part of book extract

Hello everyone, it's wonderful to see this community still going strong.
Is anyone interested in dream analysis ?
I had a dream I was dead but didn't realise . My dh told me and we talked about who came to the funeral , who spoke . I was worried I'd fade away now that I knew and I was so very sad to leave him behind .
I've been doing and thinking about ancestor work , I can certainly feel a change in energy when I do this but it would usually come in signs from them .
I have a chronic condition that reared it's head in March.
It's interesting, maybe just to me
Does it ring any bells with anyone?

Good afternoon everyone

Great article Speakout so interesting to hear of the experiences of other cultures.
Violet I too was horrified when I found out about it around 20 years ago, I was rather hoping it would be common knowledge by now, at least amongst the vegetarian and vegan communities, it's been exposé'd in the mainstream press more than once since then. I'll never be able to understand the people who definitely know what's in it and they know about the cruelty involved in its manufacture and they are still happy to take it, they make me sad to my core.

ChangeyMcChangeChange great to hear of the movement in energies!

ThrilledToTiddlyBits great to have you around our fire, we need it roaring up the chimney today, it's very chilly. I'll put some more logs on.
Filled soda fascinating dream, can't interpret but would guess along the lines of altered states of reality/continuance.

Sorry Yashmis forgot to say great links. So interesting to read the male outlook of a woman's life or usefulness being "over" at the start of the menopause and the reality of it being an age of sharing experience.

That sounds like a profound dream FilledSoda (lovely to see you here btw)

The first thing I always work with when I try and take lessons from dreams is the feelings it leaves me with.

I wonder if yours (the death) reflects some perceived loss of part of yourself to chronic illness. I know we often go through a grief process when illness seems to change our image of who we are. This might be caused by not being able to do things we once took for granted.

Interesting that yours was specifically in relation to your relationship with your DH and then other loved ones (participating in your funeral). If it were me I might think about how my illness has made changes to my sense of self, ways in which I fear it might disconnect me from others. Or, if we go with Jung’s theory that everyone in our dreams represents an aspect of ourselves then it could represent an opportunity to integrate the aspects of your loved ones characters that you’d like to embody yourself.

Of course, there’s also the ancestor angle to look at it from. As you’ve been connecting with them it may be that you are feeling empathy with them- being loved and important but not physically here.

Either way I think I’d look at ways of providing comfort and to myself in the sadness I felt from it, be that ancestral, my own or through the connection of me in the context of the ancestors, integration feels important to me as I think about it.

Just some thoughts which may or may not resonate, thank you for sharing your dream with us

On another note, has anyone seen any of this series-

www.offthefence.com/Brand/2510/mystic-britain-series-1

Might be interesting?

YashmisCrone

That looks interesting. I will look forward to watching it.

Torrertial rain here, but cosy inside with a cup of peppermint tea, comfy clothes and soft blankets.
Winding down for an early night, an early start tomorrow for yoga.

I hope everyone keeps dry and warm tonight.

Good evening sisters ❤️
Winter seems to have arrived all of a sudden, there's been a real drop in temperature. Time to dig out my furry boots, woolly hat and gloves!

Like Speakout I'm warm and cosy indoors and looking forward to an early night.

Love to you all 🙏

Good morning wise friends,

I’m just emerging from my 8am practice and taking a few moments to prepare for the day ahead. The sky is blue and clear right now and the air cold and crisp, bringing an awakening energy. A day of conflict resolution (hopefully!) lies ahead so I am embodying the strength of the goddess.

I hope everyone is finding wisdom and insight amongst what mercury retrograde can make feel like a muddled time. I saw this that resonated with me in the subject.

Wishing everyone a magical Friday 💫

Waving from San Francisco.

Just popping in to say that HRT is a life saver for me and I have no intention of ever coming off it. I ticked all the boxes for the platitudes that are trotted out ad nauseum for coping with menopause “naturally” but it turned me from an active healthy woman who walked 5 miles or more every day to someone who could no longer even stand up without help.

I tried all the herbal remedies I could find and employed an excellent herbalist to help. Cost me £100s but I still couldn’t move without crippling pain and had 10 flushes an hour at times. For some women, no matter what they do or how they live, menopause wrecks their lives.

Premarin is a very outdated form now and there are plenty of other sources available. If you are considering it do some research first. I am on a very low dose but am now completely symptom free. I have my life back.

Hard day sightseeing planned for today. I’m not looking forward to the flight back though but it’s time. I’ve done the work I came out to do and now need to get back to finish it at home. Going to be busy!

Elphame

Amazing to hear you are in San Francisco. Such an amazing city. I have visited a few times - both business and pleasure in years past.
I think it is a place with magical energy. High skies. Lies on an energetic fault line. No surprise that it has been the birthplace of biotechnology, silicon industry and the 1960s social revolution.
Haight-Ashbury, Golden Gate and redwoods were my highlights.
Glad you are having a good time.

Had a magical time in the redwoods yesterday, all city today. It’s too busy and crowded for me so I’ve retreated to the hotel with a bottle of pink fizz for company. I’m finding cities harder and harder to cope with. I’d make an excellent hermit 😀

Highlight for me was taking the cable car above Palm Springs and trekking in the (proper) wilderness. We had to sign in and out with the park rangers so they knew we’d made it out OK.