Any Witches Here? Part 11

[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.

YashmisCrone

Thank you- that bedtime story is just what I need right now.

Feeling so tired and washed out.

@Speakout sorry to hear you're feeling less than your brightest self. Hope you're ok? Sending you energy and light x

Speakout so sorry to hear that. I hope the sleep stories help you get some rest tonight. I'm sending you lots of loving healing energy ❤️

Thanks friends.

I have had a bit of a traumatic weekend, and still feeling the effects.X

Good evening all.

I have a question please; how do you raise energy for your magical workings in a discreet way (e.g. say if you are indoors but you live with others and do not want them to become aware of what you are doing - say after they've gone to sleep). TIA.

Speakout tune in at the 8+8's, we'll all generate some extra especially for you

NotMyFinestMoment Have you tried breathwork, that's pretty quiet or some Qigong exercises, or Reiki? All of those can raise your energetic levels in a few seconds when you've practised a bit.

Candle energy for you Speakout and for anyone else who needs it.

Thank you my dear friends.

I too lit a candle and did some gentle nurturing yoga. Feeling rested after a goos sleep.

NotMyFinestMoment i think it depends on the people.

Children? Other adults? People who disapprove?

I have to be discreet with my workings, but mostly my family don't notice my incense ( air freshener), candles, bowls of salt etc. Many people nowadays keep items for aesthetic reasons- so crystals, home made bath salts dream catchers etc. se easy to explain away.

Depends on your type of magic- high magic with pentagrams burned into a wooden floor may be hard to explain away, but "low " magic, kitchen witchery, cooking and laundry magic are all easy to practice right under someone’s gaze.
Historically witches would have to had be very discreet with their practices for fear of persecution, so would be very adept at hiding in plain sight. Bottles of herbs, ritual salt, string, candles would be integrated in the everyday life of a witch in her home and kitchen.
I have a busy house- “big” spellwork is hard to do right now in lockdown, but usually if I know I will have just a little time I can rush around the house grabbing magical items and be ready to perform a spell pretty quickly.
It becomes second nature after a while! I dream of a home that I can decorate and have on display all the items and images that are dear to me- but I have a lot of judgemental eyes visiting my house, so it isn’t possible.
Good luck in your crafting.

I think perhaps I always 'knew' I was sailing close to the wind when it came to this path. I just didn't realise how far along it I have actually come.

Time's fluid, please only think of doing something when you're interested or have the time to pursue it, trying to stick to a rigid timetable of replying doesn't work well.
Consider standing at the hub of a wheel and the rim being Time, the past, present and future are all the same distance from you.

The difference for all of us, and we have a wide variety of practices among the people who post here, is that we don't follow a prescribed system of rules and do's and don'ts, it's just our individual way of life.

Most of us are solitary practitioners and we just do what we do as part of our everyday lives.

I hope maybe one day I can be taken under the wing of an experienced practitioner, or dare I say it, join and commit to a discreet coven and learn extensively from them

I'd advise you to find your own way of working first, find out what you're comfortable with, discover what you like to do on your own. There are some lovely genuine groups around and there are some dreadful ones too. Always be aware, you have good insight already, use it and don't be awed by someone else's ego and never ever do anything you are uncomfortable with

We're on our 11th thread, there's a lot of knowledge in previous threads and discussions about different paths and different ways of doing the same thing, do read through them, you may just find exactly what you were looking for, exactly when you need it.

blanktimes makes exactly the points that came to my mind too.
NotMyFinestMoment There is no panic or deadline, you can afford to slow down and take your journey at a pace that suits you. I want to properly dedicate myself to this path and learn everything I possibly can about it before it's too late.
It will never be "too late", and actually you will never reach a place where you become an "expert".
Many of us have been walking a magical path for decades, the more we travel the less we realise we know! But that is OK, for me it is a journey of learning, at a pace that is fun and works for me. Sometimes I can go for a year or two and not feel the need to know more- often a new subject will ignite and I find myself with a huge appetite to learn as much as I can- but we need times to integrate our understanding, to weave it into our existing ideas and allow any enhancements to our lives and magial practice.
So having times of slow pace are very important too.
Again as Blanktimes suggests please use caution if you wnat to work with others, especially if you have the idea that you can be " taken under the wing" of someone. There are many lovely groups and good people in the pagan community, but there are also many svangali types, people who seek to control, take power, money and steer others into their own way of thinking.
So tread with great caution.
There is no right way, and even if another more experienced practitioner has good intent and offers teaching then their path may not be right for you.
A magical path is one that sits with you- and belongs to no one else. It is about nurturing your own power, not looking to someone else being in charge or telling you how to walk.
Most of all enjoy the ride.

Good morning everyone

Thanks for those wise words and hi @NotMyFinestMoment As a newbie this is all great learning for me. I'm in a phase of wanting to read everything but I know at some stage, this will wane and I'm hoping I'll be able to assimilate the craft into my life, as part of my everyday. It's just os lovely to have this as an anchor, it feels very grounding like I'm coming back to source.

Love to you all

Blurpblorp

Good morning- I am enjoying your enthusiam too, a lovely fresh energy!

As I finish the last of my cuppa this morning- and looking out at a blue sky I have been thinking about “micromagic” and how we integrate magical practice into everyday life.

I remember when I "launched" myself as an adult witch ( although magical practice was part of my family tradition as a child) having a very intense period of reading, buying magical tools, learning about spellcraft over several years.
Much of my work was focussed on "big " practice, which would take weeks to prepare, sourcing esoteric herbs, just the right incense, preparing and purifying- dates and hours, meditating over my intent, sometimes taking leave from work so that I could prepare myself and my home for that huge moment. And although I respect my younger self for that approach- which usually yielded very powerful manifestations- my craft has changed so much.
Decades ago my time seemed far more split into magic and non-magical times.
Nowadays it is so blended into one that I barely notice that many of my day to day activities are acts of magic, done without thinking, but no less intent, just integrated. I still do spellwork, but less often and on a much lower key.
So as I was gazing into the tea leaves into the bottom of my cup, I wondered what acts of micromagic others do?
For me a lot of my practice is tied in with self care as a way of connecting with the goddess, but like the tea leaves there are lots of little rituals and routines that give me a magical connection and enhance my life.
For me it is daily yoga practice in the morning, usually with an intent. A daily Tarot pick. Blessing tea as I make it, I will write a sigil or symbol into flour before I make something. I whisper in the wind. I kiss crystals, I use candles, I make connection with the Earth. I have many more, but I would love to hear how others enchant every day life.
Let us know if you are willing to share!

Good morning all,
And welcome NotMyFinestMoment. That’s a really interesting talking point speakout, you’ve got me thinking..
my micro magic throughout the day looks similar to yours in many ways- the blessed tea, stirring intention into cooking (which I agree is alchemy!) also use of herbs in what I make for certain intentions- for example I like to make something with rosemary for clarity of thought or connection with ancestors, I use basil for prosperity, sage for clearing etc.

House and space cleansing and clearing using essential oils for whatever mood I want to create, likewise with salt baths for myself and oils I burn in different rooms for different purposes.

When I plant things I add moon water and a stone/other objects to grow an intention or manifest something using as the plant grows. This intention gets ‘fed’ each time I feed or water that plant.

Using the knowledge I’ve built up and my intuition I find symbolism and signs in everyday objects- use them as a tool like tarot- the birds I see, shapes in the clouds etc.

I’ll ask for a sign and then pay attention. For example I wanted to manifest the cash for that sculpture I’ve been drawn to. I set an intention and set it free, this morning I have seen that there is the exact amount I need in my PayPal account. This is off the back of a larger manifestation I set to work yesterday- finding the right, affordable car for me. I set that intention, asked my dad (in spirit) to help- shortly afterwards the bunch of oak leaves I had hung upside down to dry fell off it’s hook and onto the floor in front of me. Oak is my symbol for connection with my dad. Then the manifestation energy started to flow (with the money for the sculpture) a chain of unlikely events enlisted the help of a mechanic and I found a car at the right price. Whether it is the right one or not I’m yet to discover but I can feel that energy flowing and my dad at work to support me so I trust that this will happen at the right time.

Everything is magic if you add that intention isn’t it. We are our own most magical tool

In respect of magick, I have had some limited success with it, one spell was hugely successful/profitable and at the time I was absolutely convinced it would work/manifest and it did

And you have hit on a vital point here NotMyFinestMoment. In spell work a key part is to believe that it will work 100%. That belief doesn't have to last more than a second or two but it makes a big difference to the outcome. Well done! It's not something that tends to appear in books other than in that horrible weaselly word "intention".

As everyone else has said - slow down! It's the journey that is important. You'll never reach the destination of knowing everything so just enjoy the process of getting there. Don't be afraid to wander off down some side alleys that capture your interest for a few weeks or months. You'll soon find your way back.

Raising energy discreetly is perfectly possible. Even in company! I've sat there smiling whilst stirring my tea and using that to raise power. The rotational movement works very well and once you start thinking about it you'll come up with your own. Pay attention to the direction! Stir anti clockwise and you can stir up a storm

A more advanced technique is to work on the astral plain but to do that you need to master astral travel which is well worth doing as it's so useful

Still bedlam here - I got 3 requests for the same week in 10 minutes yesterday and we'll be heading up to the cottage this weekend to start getting it ready. I did try some magical work last night but went so deep into trance I fell asleep. Probably staying up to 3am wasn't the greatest idea,

YashmisCrone that is so lovley to hear of your oak magic, I hope you have found the car you need- and still the money left over for the sculpture! Everything is magic if you add that intention isn’t it. We are our own most magical tool and that is so true- I guess it is like wearing magic goggles, the whole world become enchanted when we start to look through the world in a magical way. The wind on our face, the ground beneath our feet, the sound of birds.
Elphame sounds like you are whipping up a storm with your business there! That is a lovely point about stirring tea- rotation is a very magical symbol, and appears in so much of magical practice, and can even be done while having tea with the vicar!!! Widdershins is the name we use for anti clockwise rotation here- especially if connected to magical practice.
I also agree about positive intent- and expecting sucess. It is hard to do - it requires a deal of resilience, but if we set an expectation of success then it helps manifestation no end!!

Speakout
it is like wearing magic goggles, the whole world become enchanted when we start to look through the world in a magical way
I love this! That's exactly how I feel too, it;s like a secret world we're all privy too.

You've got me thinking now about the things I do to weave magic into my daily like. Like others, for me it's often the little things that have become part of my daily routine that make such a difference, all of which can be done openly without comment from others. When I wake up, I like to do a 10 minute meditation and set an intention for the day. I add essential oils to my shower, my washing machine and to my diffuser, selecting oils depending on my mood and how I want to feel. If the energy in a room doesn't feel right, I find ways to lift it - this can be done by playing music, lighting a candle or even just opening the windows to let the fresh air in.

Plant flowers, put seeds out for the birds, recycle use eco-friendly products, walk in the woods, climb a tree, practise yoga, cook nutritious food. None of these things are particularly unusual or 'witchy', it's the intention behind what you're doing that makes the difference turns the mundane into magic

VioletCharlotte I knew you would understand!

I love hearing about all the magical dust you sprinkle throughout your day. I completely agree- some of these things sound mundane, but done with intent and meaning they take on a new perspective.
For me it's never just about doing laundry or taking a shower, it is a wizz bang energy shift, an aura cleanse, a magical revitalisation.

I was thinking about this when I was tending to my monster tomato plants in my porch today. Now in full flower, they need a little help with pollination as they are kept indoors- not many insects!
I keep a fluffy yellow feather on the table beside the pots and at least once a day I buzz around the flowers tickling their stamens, making sure I do a big complete circuit.
Apart from feeling like a bee it feels like a sacred and very magical act- to be there at the potential of new life and hopefully a good crop of juicy tomatoes!
Absolute magic to me.

I love the thought of you being a bee speakout🐝 and think that a 10 minute meditation to start the day sounds like such a positive habit Violet

I hope all’s going well with the work bedlam Elphame and that you’ve had a few minutes to catch your breath..

Today’s been one of those days when I’m glad of the benefits of self care I have in my ‘resilience bank’- non stop and more to come tomorrow but I’m feeling hopeful amongst the mayhem that change for the better is on the other side of the storm.

And I’m very excited that my ammonite woman is finally on her way to me

Wishing everyone a restful night ✨

Good evening everyone

@Yashmishcrone yay you claimed her!!! Wonderful... you must post a pic of her when she arrives and takes her space in your home

I'm so tired and just saying hello really, but wanted to post my favourite calming picture that I look at often. This isn't me but I spent time around this part of the world in Canada so it brings back memories. To look at this picture.... the feelings it conveys in me... pure magic.

Good morning. Blurpblorp* that looks a magical place, I am glad you are enjoying those memories. Canada is not a place I have visited, but it does sound amazing.
YashmisCrone I am glad you ordered your ammonte woman. Sometimes things just speak to us, and it is always worth giving to ourselves in these situations. I am sure she will enrich your life.

I have woken from a very long deep sleep and feel refreshed, YashmisCrone due to the bedtime story links!! Last night I was off to sleep within seconds.
No time for morning yoga, off food shopping before thigs get too busy, I will catch up on some yoga later in the day.
As we lead up to tonight's full moon there is magic afoot, the pillars are crumbling, we are gazing deeper into the underbelly. Good for some, very bad for others. But I have little sympathy for those that find they are standing on crushed bones.

Have a wonderful day sisters, open your heart and the magic will find its way.

Good morning @speakout so great to hear you slept so well. And thank you for the reminder about the moon. I will make sure I make the most of it. Sending good energies to you all for a productive yet restful weekend x