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 love the tarot queen spreads- what a great idea.

VioletCharlotte an iteresting deck, I haven't seen that one before. It is quite styilised, a Deco feel, queenly in its way, but clipped rather than flamboyant!
I don't dislike it, the artwork is good.

Ooh, I’ve not seen that one either. I’m getting a strong and dramatic if serious vibe from them- the queen of wands is making me think of Liz Taylor!

Spent my lunch break taking in a different river and being shadow queen of the hills!

YashmisCrone So beautiful.
Shadow Queen of the Hills - I love it.

Thank you speakout 💜

Just getting ready for 8pm energy raising and I saw this, thought it was beautiful on the theme of the power of women supporting each other

Yashmis beautiful words and image, thank you ❤️

I don't know what it is about that deck, it's always made me feel rather uneasy. I keep the cards wrapped up and in a box in my cupboard, there something a bit unsettling about them somehow.

Good morning wise ones, just having a morning coffee. Last night was an evening of drinking rum ( first time I have tasted it- but feeling a little deliate his morning!) and watching Star Wars movies with my son. Today we are visiting the Modern Art Gallery are having a meal at a Lebanese restaurant. DD left yesterday by coach with 30 little dancers for a weekend dance competition and won't be back until tomorrow.
VioletCharlotte I understand your feelings about that deck. I have a deck that I keep wrapped and locked away too- the energy became unsettling to me. It feels right to keep them somehow though, but I prefer not to use them.
YashmisCrone beautifully uplifting words and images you have lifted my heart this morning.
Once I have finished this glorious cup of coffee I am off for a spa shower to honour my regal self. Lime oil this morning, to remind me of my days in the tropics,/

I love lime oil for a lift speakout, particularly enjoy it blended with rosemary for focus. In fact I have some work to get through today so I’ll just that blend to support me- thank you for the reminder!

Sounds like a wonderful day planned, feeding your imagination and your belly- perfect!

I loved this natural artwork I read about here. Beautiful I thought.

moon-child.net/man-arranges-leaves-sticks-and-stones-to-create-magical-land-artworks/

Violet I understand about the cards too, have have some items like that make me feel like that, it’s funny that we keep them really isn’t it. Anyway, I’m enjoying the study of different queens.

Wishing everyone a magical day 👑💫

Beautiful morning here, we've had so much rain recently, it's good to have some sunshine. I wanted to make the most of it, so got out early for a walk in the woods with my dog. The colours were fabulous (pictures below, if you look very closely you'll see my dog!)

Speakout hope you enjoy your day with DS. Spending time with adult children is such a pleasure isn't it? I went to the pub with DS1 last night and met some of his uni friends.

Yashmis thank you for that link, some beautiful artwork there. How I would love to have that kind of vision!

Sending blessings for a happy and relaxed weekend ❤️💫

What beautiful pictures Violet, thank you for sharing them with us, the colours are just gorgeous and the light coming through the trees looks magical. I think I can see your dog in the distance

Good afternoon queen sisters.

Dark so soon at this time of year!.
A calm in the house after quite a testing week- an evening of candles and cats ahead.
I feel protected and nurtured by goddess energy right now, which is calming and profound.

So pleased to hear of you feeling protected and nurtured by the goddess speakout and thank you so much for that image, it is beyond beautiful 💜

Tired this morning, I’ve been out in the garden earthing myself. There’s something invigorating about the cold wet ground connecting with your bare feet at this time of year!
Came inside and warmed them in a ray of sunlight coming through the window.

As is the case for many of us I have a busy week ahead. My soul desires hibernation- cosy candlelight and time to rest in the shadows. Seems crazy how us humans have created cultures that make this stretch of the year so busy and demanding when our natural state would be to slow and preserve energy, turn inwards. We’re such oxymoronic creatures! A challenge in maintaining equilibrium.

So it’s on with the crown and shiny robes to deflect over demanding energy. Navigating with the poise and purpose of a queen is a good message to the inner self to act from a place of sovereignty and this way vital energies are protected.

Wishing everyone a day of sovereignty in which you feel your worth and honour yourself 👑💫

Good evening sisters ❤️

Yashmis I've been having similar thoughts today about winter and hibernation. Like you, I'm wanting to be indoors in the warm, resting, reflecting, restoring. However, we've somehow created a world for ourselves where at this time of year, instead of following our natural instincts, we put ourselves under enormous pressure to please everyone else, to shop and to socialise. No wonder so many people get sick at this time of year.

It is a morning of fire and ice from my bedroom window. The sky is bright red as the sun rises, the frost so thick that it looks like snow.
Minus 6 outside. Winter woolly time for sure! Just bracing myself for a quick shower before starting my day.

Have a magical everyone.

Beautiful 8pm energy tonight 🕯🙏

Hope you’re keeping warm up there speakout, it’s been 7 degrees here today and that felt like a drop! I loved your fire and ice description.

Just wanted to share this on a similar theme to what we were saying yesterday. Words that resonate and I remember us having the same picture on our thread last year. Worth sharing again I thought.

Wishing everyone a restful evening 💫

Good morning- and wise words. I too feel the antagonsim between feeling the need to slow down and the mayhem and demands of the outside world.
This year like last I plan to put self preservation at the top of my list.
I love christmas and midwinter festivities, but at my own pace, with the reigns firmly in my hand.
I am luckly that I can take a good chunk off work. This year I will again take a month off, I will stop when the time feels right- I am very lucky in that respect.
I avoid busy shops, if I have to go to buy gifts, it will be at 9am on a Tuesday morning, one or two shops, then back home within 30 minutes. I try to shop locally where I can, but mostly I shop online these days.
I find pleasure in making my house ready for christmas, but done at a very slow speed, with lots of breaks for meditation, walks and warming drinks. I keep up my self care at the gym and yoga too, but listen to what my body is telling me and work at a pace that feels comfortable. Plenty of incense, candles and soothing music works for me too and warm nourishing food.

I avoid busy places, especially the centre of the city, where most of the mayhem seems to happen- overpriced christmas markets with flashing lights, christmas lights blaring, crazy parking, overcrowded buses and trains, everyone in a frenzy in an effort to spend.

We may have friends over, but I don't push myself, it will be mulled wine and mice pies rather than drinks parties or a full meal.
I make time for wild birds and make sure I feed them during the colder months.

The dichotomy of energies is a hard one to navigate during this time, but listening to our mind and bodies shows us a good path to take. I- like others often become ill at this time as we are not able to heed that inner voice.
In years gone by I have very often been ill at christmas time, chest infection, exhaustion, just feeling awful.
Last year I had a serious think about how to manage what should be a lovely season, and it worked. I remained healthy and relaxed.

This year I plan to do the same.

Have a wonderful day everyone.

Just been mulling this over as I feed my animals - I think many of us drawn to a magical path are empaths- and this is also an aspect of why the christmas season feels so bumpy.
So many people struggle at this time of year, expectation, financial troubles, family strife, loneliness, stress, pushed for time.
The media presents a faux idea of perfect homes, happy families, well groomed, manicured, white teeth, loving grandparents, piles of perfect matching gifts, matching children.
If we buy into that we all fall short.
And people work themselves into a frenzy trying to attain the impossible.

So many people feel this that if we as an empath join the throngs we will struggle not to drown in the sea of negative and frenetic thinking.

Many of us instinctively avoid crowds - especially at this time, but we can take measures to make sure we are not affected emotionally too.
I find being aware of the mass feeling is a big step, use headphones with calming sounds or music, avoid too much eye contact if you start to feel the strain. Limit time in busy places, wear something sparkly, I like to wear obsidian. I keep a pot of home made hand butter in my bag, with lavender and basil. Whenever I am in a queue at a bank, post office or shop, then I give myself a quick hand massage, that small act of self care reminds me to slow my internal chatter, lower any frustration I feel and reminds me of my royal state.

Just some thoughts. X

Very wise thoughts, thank you speakout. I agree that the often unattainable image we’re given of what our lives should look like at this time of year jars with so many of our experiences and in turn generates a kind of mass sadness and stress.

if we buy into that we fall short completely agree. In my work with people, most of them feel this way. I tend to spend from late October working on reframing their ideas of what Christmas should be like. Reclaiming it as a time of rest, retreat and reflection.

I love your tips for protecting our energies when we can’t help but be amongst it all. The hand massage with herbal hand butter is such a great idea.

A two pronged approach to surviving the paradoxes of the season- reframing/reclaiming and protecting against the powerful mass of energy around us.

Wonderful to start the day with such wisdom 🙏

YashmisCrone

Yes- reframing te ideas of christmas is exactly whay I mean.

I think having a pagan perspective on the season can be very helpful, allows us to step back and question our ideas, practice, customs and expectations. consider what the time means to us, and to use it in an enhancing way.
I celebrate Yule, Solstice and a secular cristmas. The message of light and hope trancend many customs.
Reclaiming the power of stillness, and nurturing our inner flame during the darkness.
This year I plan some shadow work and hopefully make more ice candles again- that was an enjoyable project last year!

I'm enjoying this discussion very much .
When I was a younger woman I very much felt the pressure to feel the pressure . If I wasn't broke and stressed I was doing Christmas wrong and being lazy and selfish. So I ran myself ragged martyring myself for people that had no desire or expectation that I should do anything of the sort .
Now at 50 with less energy and a health problem , I have it sussed.
I don't expose myself to the insanity .
I don't watch live tv with the adverts and the nonsense . I don't trudge around the city centre in December.
I'm making a real effort not financially self harm to prove how much I love someone.
I do as little as possible until as late as possible because Christmas shouldn't be 6 weeks long.
I don't want to be distracted from Yule and the solstice, I want mistletoe, holly and ivy.
I want to make holly water.
I remember your beautiful ice candles Speakout hopefully it will be cold enough to make some.
Sadly I think the modern commercial Christmas is harmful, we are being set up for failure .
We must listen to our inner selves.
Is this Cronedom ?
I heartily recommend it.
Have a peaceful contented afternoon everyone .

FilledSoda

Wise words. And a good reminder to us all to take things at our own ease, hold ourselves precious, because we need to enjoy the season too.
I enjoy the preparation that comes with christmas, and for me it starts at the beginning of December.
But my preparation possibly doesn't look much like others.

I may spend some time gathering and drying pine cones from the forest, ordering cinnamon and cloves, looking for recipes for stuffing.
No charging about, no overspending, no getting flustered.
All done at a calm easy pace.

This is an inspiring video- and just my cup of tea!

Very much enjoying all the musings about Christmas. It's so nice to know I'm not the only one who feels like this!

Like others, as I've got older, I've learnt to put my boundaries up, learnt how to say 'no' to social events I don't really want to go to, how to not get sucked into the materialism and excess. Christmas for me is about spending time with my immediate family and close friends. When I was younger, I would put myself under huge pressure to attend the endless work nights out; the team Christmas do, the department meal, the company black tie dinner and dance. About 5 years ago, I said "no more" and haven't looked back. I've cut right back on the presents buying and just buy for immediate family, and I avoid buying excessive amounts of food that just gets wasted.

This means I have the time, money and energy to do the things I want to do - celebrate the solstice, walk in the forest to collect holly, go to the coast for a winter walk along the beach, carol singing, baking... simple pleasures!

VioletCharlotte Your post lifts me. A wonderdful celebration and reminder about boundaries.

Growing older is magnificent isn't it. You are an inspiration.

Good evening sisters..
Big energy changes afoot here- a little disconcerting, but I feel positive.
Despite all my talk yesterday I feel ill, sore throat and shivers.
But I have promised my DD a shopping trip tomorrow for a winter coat for her, and boots for me, and we have both been looking forward to the time together. We rarely have time to spend together right now, despite the fact she is back living at home- she has a hectic work and Uni schedule, my work is crazy, and my energies have been used up in helping another family member heal.
So I will have an early night and a fun shopping trip tomorrow with DD, at a slow pace, with christmas coffee.
I am awaiting a joiner arriving soon, and could do without it! A low large understairs cupboard in the kitchen badly needs shelving.I keep pots and pans, but such a muddle. . He is just popping in to have a look and give me quote.
Otherwise is it time for hibernation and peppermint tea!

Good evening wise queens,

I have loved the wisdom and strength in the posts about reclaiming/reframing the season. You’re all very inspiring 🙏

Sorry to hear you’re feeling ill speakout but I love the strength in your words and am very pleased to hear you are feeling positive. I’ll send some healing energy your way at 8 ✨ Have a wonderful day with your DD tomorrow 💜

Today was the first of my seasonal events, I am also keeping them to a minimum but this one was to support my DM so I chose to take part.

Enjoyed some seasonal sunshine and crisp cool air outdoors yesterday. Just what I needed. Funny, as I was walking I remember my DF telling me when I was younger that he needed to get out in the fresh air in nature in order to stay well. He’d feel out of balance if he didn’t. He loved nothing more than walking on the moors. I smiled as I realised I’m now just the same. A lovely tool for maintaining equilibrium he gave me there. All those times of dragging me with him as a reluctant child paid off. I hope he can see this wherever his soul is now.

Love to all for a peaceful evening 💫

YashmisCrone I love those pictures- you have captured magical energy in those trees, gave me goosebumps to see all the creatures hidden in that wood. Your father sounds similar to mine YashmisCrone, any spare moment he would have us kids out in the woods, watching for squirrels and otters, telling us the names of trees, showing us leaf shapes, guddling in the river, would be the highlight of the week to walk with my daddy in the woods. I sense the pleasure was two way!
I am having an early night. Already in bed and aim to sleep as much as I can in order to enjoy shopping tomorrow. No early morning yoga class for me tomorrow, either.OH is off work until Tuesday, using up annual leave, so he will hold the fort in terms of food shopping and cooking.
Wishing everyone a peaceful sleep.