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.

Good morning sisters,

I’ve been enjoying the morning in the garden, gave myself a leisurely breakfast and made the most of the quiet and the shade before it gets too hot to sit out and the neighbours get out their power tools/BBQs etc.

It has felt like a sacred time, sitting with the bees, watching a wood pigeon nest in the tree, blackcaps chattering between gardens. Next door’s cat came to join me and enjoyed some fuss and a chat.

I was talking to a neighbour out the front yesterday, he stood by the lavender that forms a ‘hedge’ at the boundary of the property. As we talked I noticed his attention less on our conversation and more with the great number of bees, doing their work. He commented on what a wonderful sight this was, couldn’t believe how many their were, looked mesmerised. The magic’s always there when we stop to notice it isn’t it.

Very much enjoying the talk of potion making and wild food and will be interested to hear of everyone’s experiences with this. I’d like to learn to make my own EO’s, particularly with the lavender, rosemary and sage I seem to have in abundance. I think it’s probably beyond my skills and equipment right now though so I may go for infusions instead!

DS was out exercising yesterday and has just come to tell me he is aching and thinks a bath would help- a request for a salt mix to help ease the aches- the stock has depleted in the bathroom again. I’d better get mixing!

There are errands and domestic/family tasks that need doing today but I hope to find time to get to some wild water later on as everyone else heads home.

I hope everyone is able to carve out space to attend to what their spirit needs today.

YashmisCrone I love readinng about your sacred time, and the bee magic. I seem to have a huge number of butterflies and bees in my garden right now, feeding frum the buddlea, lavender and rosemary flowers.
Making EOs sounds tempting, but maybe quite complex, a distillation process requiring a condenser - I also think maybe yields would be low? I know it takes many Kg of botanicals to produce even a small amount of oil.
It does sound interesting, but complex- and I am a chemist with many years of laboratory experience!

It is a glorious day here, sunny, a light refreshing wind and only 18 degrees. Needless to say my laundry magic is in full swing!
One Baptist service down, another to go and a zoom communion and prayer meeting! I am making smudge sprays ths morning ( I use a sage infusion from sage I grow in my garden).

Have a magical day sisters.

Thank you speakout, yes I think I’ll stick to infusions for now although I love the look of the copper stills that you can buy I don’t it’d doable for me and my current skills/resources!

I’m smiling at the thought of you creating cleansing smudge spray against the background of the Baptist services- feels like the perfect way of combatting the oppressive energy

I've been sitting here puzzling what EO stands for! My brain's obviously in Sunday morning, go slow mode!

Like Yasmis I'm enjoying some quiet time in the garden this morning, drinking coffee and watching the bees and butterflies. There seems to be more than usual this year. My garden is south facing and it will be hot to sit out this afternoon, so I'm making the most of the time now.

Speakout your smudge sprays sound divine. I've been making sprays too recently, including one to detract from insect bites. It's seems to be effective so far. So much nicer to use essential oils and natural ingredients, rather than the strong smelling chemical stuff you can buy.

I'm going to visit a friend this afternoon in her new home so have made a blackberry and lemon cake to take with me. She's just moved into a cottage out in the countryside so I feel I may come home feeling a little envious!

VioletCharlotte I love the sound of your sprays too! Essential oils are great for warding off insects- lemongrass is one of my favourites, I rub down door entrances or just put a few drops on some paper in a saucer. Many of the citrus oils work well too.
I am writing this in the middle of a pastor saying a prayer live on zoom. He (...) is reminding everyone of their weakness and how it is a mistake to try to take control of our own lives.

Quite sad really.

However I am making 100 bottles of smudge spray- which will hopefully help people to take control of their own lives and surround them with positive energy!!

Are you allowed to post a link to your website Speakout?

How did you learn to make the smudge sprays too?

KatherineParr4
I could post you a pm. I would prefer not to publish links to my business on this thread as I don't want to use this space for promotion.

My sprays have just developed, some research, some trial and error.
I have never been totally comfortable with using white sage for smudging. I undersand that wild sage in California has been over harvested to the point of extinction, and my magical practices don't include much from North America anyway.
Many other traditional cultures use smoking practices, ancient celts would use burning heather in a magical purification ceremony called sianing, almost identical to smudging. I know in my city during times of plague families would be moved to temporary lodgings if illness hit the family , the houses would be cleaned and a saining team would be sent in to purify.
Moderns studies have even shown that ritual saining or smudging actually kills airborn pathogens and viruses- maybe something we need to think about!!

@speakout - longtime lurker here :) please could you pm me your website details too.

Thank you

That’s interesting about the saining and purification speakout. So sad about the white sage. I know we need to be aware of the impact of our practices environmentally and ethically. I tend to burn herbs I’ve grown in the garden for cleansing/clearing and use stones and materials I’ve found myself since I’ve become more aware of these issues. I’m now wondering about essential oils and the crops used to make them. I feel like I need to do some more research into their sources.

Violet I’m interested in your insect repellent spray. I seem to have been frequently mixing something to deal with bites/stings recently and a repellent sounds like a good idea! I’d love to try the recipe if you’re happy to share it.

I’m enjoying the cooler air in the garden before I start work. A relief after yesterday’s heat. A hot and sticky day of errands came to a refreshing close with a dip in our own ‘private pool’ complete with jacuzzi! Nature does it best. I can’t tell you how good the cold water felt, I didn’t want to get out!

Hi speakout would love a PM with link please.
I’d love to know how you learned to make your sprays too! Thank you

@speakout yet another long-time lurker on these threads, could you please PM me details of your shop, too? Blessings, everyone - this thread is one of the first things I click on daily for soothing and inspirational magic.

@speakout I would like a link to your website too please.

Oh what a weekend! I had a glorious time at the busking day. Then I got home to a cascade of problems, which tumbled over into Sunday.
As a result I am now having a flare of my chronic pain.
So it will be a slow day, doing only necessary things and lots of resting and meditating to hopefully ease my discomfort.

queenrollo sorry to hear of your pain- sending some healing magic.

Yashmis your 'private pool' looks so inviting, what a perfect way to cool off in this hot and sticky weather. I would love to dive straight in, instead I'm looking at your photos and visualising myself in the water in an attempt to cool down!

My 'bug spray' recipe is:
2oz distilled or boiled water (I use moon water)
1.5 oz witch hazel
50 drops of essential oils - I used a mixture of lemongrass, citronella, lavender, eucalyptus and peppermint

I mix mine in a jug then pour into a 4oz glass spray bottle and give it a good shake. If you spray it on yourself, it seems to prevent bites. I also spray it around the door frame and around the house to help keep insects away. I think it smells lovely, but bugs hate it!

Queenrollo so sorry to hear you're experiencing some pain. I'm sending you some healing energy and hope you feel better soon.

Thank you for the bug spray recipe Violet, I look forward to trying it. I can almost smell it already!

I’m enjoying the cool before it gets really hot as I start work, about to light a candle for our 8am connection , embody some goddess strength.

Blessings to all

Hello everyone. I would really love to join in if that's okay? My toddler made a wand at nursery and I was inspired last night to do some KItchen magic. I swept all of the negative energy out of the house. I did spell to ground us and cleanse us of negative energy as a family. I collected some herbs from the garden. I also cleansed my crystals and charged them last night. I am feeling really energised with all my work last night. :) How is everyone else's morning going?

hiptobeasquare

Of course you can join- you are very welcome- there is always tea in the pot.
I love the sound of your cleansing work, and inspired by a toddler- little ones are so accepting of magic!

A busy day here, just wanted to fly by and say hi.

Welcome hiptobeasquare, it’s good to have you here.

We were riding a cleansing vibe in our house yesterday too. It feels so much better to work/live in. I felt in need of the boost I knew it would give so was up cleaning and clearing my workspace before work. DS caught the energy and did some clearing and cleaning whilst I worked. I felt like I could think more clearly for it.

I love the sound of your kitchen magic and LO’s magic wand

Thank you for the healing magic all, it definitely helped.

We had a late afternoon visit to the beach, a much needed change of air and scenery for us all. A late night for smallest though who needs tumbling into bed very soon.

Wishing everyone a peaceful night, we have had torrential rain for hours and constant thunderstorms.
I have my bedroom curtains open so I can see the flashes, as I listen to the crashing of thunder and drumming or rain.
Who doesn't love a thunderstorm!

Good morning. What a wild night we had, a fierce thunderstorm that lasted 12 hours, I have woken up to a misty start, everything is very wet, but the sun has already started to birn through the mist. And the birds are in full chorus- they take it all in their stride.
Water leaking though an upstairs bedroom ceiling which isn't good, and have yet to see if we have any other puddles in the house.

I have a joiner coming to lay flooring in my toilet and hallway at long last- it has been five months since the sewage leak so I will be glad to get that job done- I still need to decorate after that though- I will see what needs done after the joiner has left.
I get quite ruffled having workmen in my house- the plumber is coming too as needs to move the toilet to let the joiner put flooring underneath.
They are both really really pleasant guys, and are doing work for me, but I struggle with the intrusion!!

Have a good day sisters.

Oh my goodness, what a storm speakout, it sounds spectacular! We’ve had the odd stormy moment but nothing that lasted long.

Sorry to hear about the water coming through the ceiling, I hope there were no more puddles and that this leak is something that’s easy to fix. Also that today’s work runs smoothly with minimal disruption. I know what you mean about being ruffled by workmen coming in, even the good ones!

queenrollo pleased to hear you got to the beach, there’s something renewing about being by the sea I think. Glad you’re feeling better.

It’s close and muggy here this morning, just about to take my tea out into the garden, connect my feet with the earth.

I hope everyone has a good day

Hello, I have never posted on this subject before but I have felt drawn to it. I read tarot cards for people who ask me to and have always been attracted to 'other' things. People occasionally ask me if I am a witch even though I give no indication, I think I just come over as odd. Anyway back to my point. Recently I have thought that the trees and plants etc are beckoning me. When the breeze or wind passes through the leaves I feel that they are calling me. Has anyone else felt this.

Morning everyone, storms are good to clear the way for fresher air and new beginnings.

Welcome buggeroffvirus sounds as though you're getting a hint to get closer to Nature. can you find some time to meditate beside a tree you're most drawn to, then afterwards, research any folklore and herb lore about it.