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.

FilledSoda

A great question - I have often thought that too.

We have quite a number of regular posters here- maybe 30 or 40?
Probably as many again who pop in now and again, and perhaps hundreds of people who read but don't post.
And this thread is visible world wide - I have friends in Italy and Australia who regularly read this thread but have never posted.

Thank you everyone for all your thoughts and shares. Too many to list. I particularly identified with something Elphame wrote a few pages back about the lockdown not making a huge difference to her daily life. Apart from the anxiety about friends and relatives on the front line I have found it all very calming. Free from social obligations.

I have just found this which is by Phillip Carr-Gomm, head of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.

artoflivingwell.org.uk/p/homeretreat The Garden of Flowing in perpetual happiness. I have signed up for it. Just about to spend time looking through his website.

www.philipcarr-gomm.com He says

"Although my spiritual practice is rooted in Druidry, I believe we have entered an era in which we can move beyond attachments to labels, drawing instead upon the Perennial Tradition, being inspired by the wisdom in all spiritual paths and teachings – following the way of the Universal Mystic."

I can relate to this although my spiritual practice is not Druid/Pagan/Wiccan/Witch

Meanwhile enjoying lovely Spring weather, cleaning the house and catching up on all sorts of things.

Had a ceremonial banishing of the support stockings to the washing basket! Very tempted to smoke cleanse the horrible things too. I will wash and keep them as they may be useful in the future.

Self care in my first bath in 10 days. I treated myself to a long soak and lots of bubbles. . I have really missed my baths. I'm not a lover of showers.

I've also been sleeping longer and having weird technicolour dreams. There must be something afoot if many of us are experiencing this. I can't see any significance in mine though. They are just weird.

Cake making is on the agenda for this afternoon and I need to write up my ritual diary for the last few days. It's been a bit neglected as mundane life has been wearing me down. It's not a good time to be a holiday cottage owner.

Interested to note that quite a few people are feeling relief about having fewer social obligations. For myself, I realise I need a much simpler life to be happy. I am not missing any of the things I was doing before the lockdown really. I wonder if many of us will move to rural areas and grow our own veg and keep chickens if we're able to after this all ends?
I have really appreciated less traffic, less pollution, less pressure to be doing, doing all the time. Permission to just be.
Birdsong is definitely louder too.

Elphame it must be such a relief to be rid of those stockings! I hope you enjoyed your soak. The vivid dreams we're all experiencing are strange, I'm not sure what they're about either but I feel they're happening for a reason. I must put a pad by my bed and write them down as soon as I wake up (I always mean to do this but never do!) Some is my dreams seem to be old insecurities coming to the surface, which I guess is natural at a stressful time, but there's other stuff there too.

Like others, I'm finding my life hasn't changed all that much, although I miss swimming and my yoga classes. DS1 has been struggling today which I can understand as he misses his university friends and social life. I was able to get out into the woods again today which was lovely. I always feel like my batteries have been recharged after being outside in nature!

Love to you all for a peaceful evening 💜

Invisible thank-you for the links, I read Philip C-G's bio a very long time ago and he is a great communicator.

I was interested in the term Sophrology in a 'I know what that is and can't remember its details' kind of way and found a video of him explaining it with a little exercise to do.

Also after 32 years he'll be stepping aside as Chosen Chief of OBOD in June 2020 details here www.philipcarr-gomm.com/announcing-a-gradual-transition-to-a-new-chief-of-the-order/

Elphame so pleased you don't need the support stockings any more, you're a woman after my own thrifty heart, you too wash and put away 'just in case'

So far the current situation hasn't had a huge impact on my life, certainly not to cause me to react in the ways I see people reacting online or that I hear about from friends.
I'm not a vivid dreamer at the best of times but my sleep's been deeper and I'm appreciating the time without social contact for more self-reflection.

So far, to me it appears that this virus or rather the fear of it and the fear of its implications for the future is showing peoples' true nature. Wonder if there's any chance that Boris could include a few leaflets in with his letter to everyone with details of all the self-care and self-help strategies we use which could make peoples' lives much easier at this time

Speakout the illustrated figure in your post this morning is the artefact known as the Venus of Willendorf who is often described as a fertility goddess, but there's an upcoming swell of thought that she may be a crone figure. www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-prehistoric-venus-figurines-mystify-experts

Magical thoughts and dreams everyone.

A bright and beautiful morning here.
Cloudless sky, and already temperatures are beginning to rise.

One great thing about the clocks going forward is that my family are still on old time, giving me precious space to be alone this morning!
I have had my coffee, spa shower, done my yoga, swept and mopped the downstairs floor. Threw open all the windows and doors, Did some salt water cleansing with a ritual. The chorus of birds outside is in full swing.
Massaged my feet with coconut oil and put on my knitted Fair Isle socks ( still a bit nippy here)
The whole of the downstairs is filled with fresh air and new energy, which feels lovely.
Just about to start work.
Remember you are a goddess.

Much colder here the last few days. I've just been out for a short walk with Elfdog. DP has carried on further without me. It's made my leg sore though so I'm glad I came back.

I've had a couple of parcels from Wyn Abbot awaiting me in the porch in quarantine from last week so I'm going to make myself a coffee and open them :)

Today's moment of joy!

Elphame glad you managed at least a short while outside. It's good to get some fresh air. Coder here now too, after a magnificent spring morning.
Did some shopping at my local store, full of lovely fresh produce, quiet, so much nicer than the supermarket.
Would love to see pics of your Wyn Abbot stuff if you would like to share.

Happy to share :)

The Raven Goddess hanging is from her normal product range but the tall black faced figure is a special commission of a traditional representation of Gwyn ap Nudd.

He's pictured beside an earlier commission from her of Ceridwen.

Stunning Elphame- thank you for sharing.

We deserve to do these things for ourselves don't we.

Just been planting up some seeds, basil, peas, marigolds, forget me not, and several more I can't remember. Good job I put labels on the pots!!

I asked for some guidance to help me remain positive and was given the 9 of wands. The 9 of wands indicates feeling weary and battle worn, a feeling many of us are experiencing right now. We’re mid-way through this battle and we’re starting to flag and wonder whether it will ever end. Do we really have the energy to keep going?

The 9 of wands also reminds us of battles already fought. In our lifetimes, we’ve all been through many battles and come out the other side. We’ve done this before and we’ll do it again. We must now pull on our inner strength and resources. This card gives us encouragement and hope - we can do this! 💜💫🌻

Elphame they are beautiful on so many levels.

Speakout I planted some seeds a few days ago, old fashioned flowers lupins, foxgloves etc. and edible marigolds, hope they will survive the current cold spell, I improvised a cold frame so fingers crossed.

Violet excellent card and interpretation once more, thank-you so much for your readings.

It's perishingly cold here too, we had snow flurries yesterday and the strong North wind steals your breath if you venture outdoors.
Time to keep toasty warm by the log fire in the lounge while the kettle boils on the Aga.

Morning all. Popping in before starting work for the day. It's a beautiful morning here, bright and sunny. Looking out of my bedroom window I can see my favourite tree opposite my house is all most ready to burst into blossom - nothing is going to stop Spring from coming! I love this time of day, it's so peaceful. All I can hear is the birds singing and the distant hum of cars.

Elphame thank you for sharing. I remember you posted a link to Wyn Abbott's site a while back, she makes the most beautiful things.

Speakout I enjoyed hearing about your planting. You can look forward to enjoying the benefits in the months to come.

Love to you all for a peaceful day ❤️

Morning everyone, hi VioletCharlotte - you are right- nothing is stopping spring, I can see many trees from my window, thousands of buds waiting to pop with their abundant life force. Blanktimes your choice of planting sounds heavenly, I love these too.
I have my seed nursery set up now and placed a big “matron plant” amongst the seeds waiting to germinate. I have done this for years.
I have had 3 or 4 gardens that I have planted from scratch in my life, each one no more than rough turf or even rubble, and noticed that getting the life force in a garden takes time.
Not just waiting for trees and shrubs to grow, but the success of growing generally seems to reach a tipping point. To start with seeds take ages in pots, little plants struggle, things wither and die, but as the green takes hold- everything starts to thrive.
My OH calls it the “Gaia garden spirit”. When that takes off then any seeds planted take off like rockets, new saplings romp away, transplanted plants shoot forth within days.
But it can take years to get to that point- and has been heart-breaking to leave a home once that has happened!!
My garden here is now 3 years old, and just this year I can see the Gaia garden spirit is descending!

With that in mind, whenever I plant seeds as I have done this week, I take a houseplant that is bursting with energy- and place in the middle of the table- in this case it is a jasmine plant that is bursting with life. This “matron plant” shows the way, shares the growing energy, provides a guide to the little ones who are just coming to life- gives them some Gaia spirit.
I am convinced it helps my seedlings come on with greater enthusiasm!

Good morning friends,
Just sitting quietly with a tea before my working day gets busy- I can think of no better place to be to enjoy it

invisibleoldwoman and BlankTimes thank you for the Phillip Car Gomm links, I look forward to exploring them- I do like to have a plentiful wormhole list ready for quieter moments!

Elphame those Wyn Abbot ceramics are absolutely stunning- such powerful energy from them. Thank you for sharing them with us.

RosesandIris I loved reading your reflections on connecting with a quieter life, more in tune with nature and the turn of the wheel. Very grounding, thank you.

Violet thank you again for such an insightful tarot pick- spot on as ever. Your guidance is such a gift to us- I really look forward to reading your interpretations of the cards.

speakout your Gaia garden work and use of a matron plant is so inspiring- I have such a wonderful image of your growing magic. The work of a goddess!

I was grounded by doing some planting at the weekend and getting out for a walk- making the most of what is nearby I felt gratitude for living in a beautiful area. I’m very much enjoying how in tune with the springing of spring our gathering is- such hope and optimism in this I think.

Bright blessings for a magical Tuesday to all

speakout I love the way you describe your garden. Mine is what's called 'mature' I think, quite a few trees and shrubs and everything grows like wildfire. It's quite large and a bit much for me really so it's rather wild but I like it like that. I had a beautiful big buddleia that attracted lots of butterflies and I loved it but exH chopped it down a few weeks ago. I know it will grow back but I was so upset when I saw it.

I had a bit of a wobble last night, the routine of work is more important to my mental health than I realised and I'm missing dds 2 and 3. Had a bit of a cry but better today. The nursery where I work is on a farm in lovely countryside and I always see the sun coming up and setting and the moon. At the moment I'm trapped in town and having to make do with the park. Still, at least I can get out and it was nice to see so many trees coming into bud.

I hope everyone is keeping well. I think of this thread when I light my candle in the evening.

I'm going to try the Matron plant - thank you speakout for the idea :). I have planted my rue seeds that are not rue and they are in the propagater. I'm hoping they come up ok

Nothing much going on here at the moment but going to be teaching over webex tonight. That's a new experience!

Elphame

Good luck with the teaching. Fantastic!

I am pleased you are giving the matron plant a go. I was feeling out on a limb on that one!!
Will be interested if you feel it helps.
KateF I think we are all wobbling right now, I am quite overwhelmed by work, cooking and caring for others.

YashmisCrone your photographs are spectacular, calming and uplifting. Thank you.

Thank you speakout, I’m finding connecting with nature so soothing at the moment too. I made myself get out for exercise again today despite (or maybe because of!) feeling worn out with work. I was rewarded by fiddleheads reminding me that new growth is unfurling. Very reassuring.

Yes to the wobbles Kate and speakout, in my less wobbly moments I think it’s interesting the range and depth of emotion we’re capable of experiencing, and still life unfurls. During the wobbles not so much!

Hope the video teaching goes well Elphame. I’ve found it really interesting how it impacts on group dynamics and have enjoyed the challenge of working with energy using this new virtual medium! I do seem to find it more tiring than being in the room with people though, I guess it’s a different level of focus. I’ll be interested to hear how you find it.

Sending love to those in need of a lift through our 8pm connection

Evening all, just catching up.

Love seeing everyone's pictures of nature, I don't have much near me so it's lovely to see. I've been a bit quiet lately, not been all that cheery so not much to add, but always enjoy reading.

I thankfully don't feel all that anxious any more, just a feeling of what will be will be. I'm realising how much of a social person I am and am really missing my work friends. Seeing my best friend and giving her a hug. Going on a tinder date 😂 especially feel for my little ones, especially DD who is missing her best friend a lot. This feels like the only nice corner of mumsnet at the moment. It's always by far the best but truly the only sensible place right now. I'm avoiding everything else.

Still don't have much to add but wanted to say hello nonetheless 🌷

Loving all the beautiful reflective comments. Particularly loved your descriptions of the matron plant speakout. Never heard of this, but it makes sense. I think the matron plant in your house is clearly you. The centre that holds everything together, the nurturer and the wise woman. Your family are lucky to have you.

A lot of heightened emotions in our house. Every hurt and disagreement is magnified and the energy can feel very overwhelming and destabilising at times. Every time I feel grounded and okay, someone else comes along and rocks me severely. I’m finding it very hard going. It’s hard to be peaceful. Everyone projecting their own stuff onto me. I’m tired of it.
Strangely though, our cat who is very unaffectionate to me normally , has been sitting on my knee and cuddling in. It’s just because she fancies warmth and comfort herself of course, but even so it’s encouraging!

Yashmis I love your photos

violet your card reading is always so interesting and pertinent

Elphame. Good luck with your teaching session

Sending love to everyone who is struggling or feeling down.

Good morning, a wild windy one here -clouds are in a big hurry as they bluster across the pink morning sky.
Inthetempest I am so glad to hear that your anxiety has lessened recently- that must feel good to have some relief. My DD is struggling with the social aspect and having a slower pace too. I am not one who socialises much so that side of things is not a challenge for me. I do miss my alone time though.
Such a vibrant photo of the fiddleheads Yasmis, these spiral fronds always seem to have such a prehistoric vibe, something almost animalistic, some of the most ancient plant life forms.
Roseandiris you are so kind, what a lovely thing to say. This is such a nurturing place. You provide so much for your family too, but we do need to protect ourselves- even from the people we love the most if their energy isn’t helpful to us at that time.
I knew my idea about a matron plant would land on soft soil here-I have mentioned to a couple of gardening friends and they have given me that polite smile which speaks volumes about their views.“Batshit crazy hippy woman”- but not here.
My wonderful tribe here not only totally understand it, but are also going to try it- I love this community!! To have such acceptance and not to feel like some weird outsider with freaky witch ideas – it wraps me like a warm blanket. Thank you.
Just off to do some yoga- day 7 of my 30 days of yoga.

I hope everone has a calm and magical day.

Class worked really well - thank s for the good wishes everyone. Just as well really as I don't want to stop so close to the finish line! I've also been taking part in online rituals - they too work really well.

This afternoon's plan is to plant out the plug plants that have just arrived in the greenhouse and maybe - just maybe get out the knitting needles for the first time in years! I've just asked DP if has a suitable plant in the garden that I can pot up as a matron for the plugs. He's actually quite keen on the idea. We'll make a green witch out of him yet!

Elphame great to hear about the class- online energy can be pretty powerful.
Interesting to hear you are trying out a matron plant- I will be curious to hear if you feel it is beneficial. The seeds I planted a few days ago have already germinated and poking their heads up through the soil. Never fails to delight.
I am going out shopping tomorrow, been avoiding it as much as I can but I need some basics, so if I see any seeds in the supermarket I'll get some more.

Today is finishing on a better note than it started for me. My mood was low and several family members were struggling too. It was cold and overcast and not good energy.
But everyone seems calm and relaxed now, and we are being treated to some evening sunshine, the sky has cleared and it is light and bright.
I will light a candle at 8pm to wish everyone a relaxing weekend.