Any Witches Here? Part 12.

[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, it is so wonderful to drop in and see so many faces, old and new friends.
VioletCharlotte yes what a beautiful poem. You are so right about feeling the turn of the year more acutely at the equinox.
Change in daylight length is explained by a mathematical model, a basis of calculus, in that the rate of change of daylight is greatest ( or fastest) at the time of the equinox. Daylight length is always changing, but is slowest around the solstice, and again quickens toward the equinox.
So we may be shortening our day by 6 minutes a day right now, but the day after the solstice the change may be only 1 minute a day.
The pattern is described by a Sine curve.
It is such an elegant movement, our ancients would have been aware of this as they tracked the movements in the sky. I am abit of a maths geek though, and find unusual excitement in such things!
I am up for a dynamic yoga session this morning, a longer and more challenging session is on the cards today.
I will light some candles as it is quite dull and overcast this morning.
I hope everyone is enjoying this Mabon week.
Bright Blessings.

ButterflyWitch a warm welcome. I am glad you joined us. There is fresh tea in the pot and a cosy place for you by the fire.

Thanks for the welcome. I did my planned ritual yesterday in the garden. I always find the physicality of rituals so interesting. The difference between thinking about something and using physical objects to mark it symbolically.
I've enjoyed your poems and reports if what you are doing to mark this time.

Another house on my street paved up its front garden recently. It takes me a while not to feel the pain of the little oasis gone. I am slowly recovering our entirely decked over garden. The back is restored. With 3 front gardens disappeared this year I'm going to speed up on reviving that next year. I'm pretty sure thetes another witch a few houses down. Her gardens old with Rowan and hawthorn and birds. Fanciful but I feel like I can feel her as I walk past.

lasttimeround

Lovely to hear about your ritual. It is a powerful expression isn't it. A way of connecting and communicating with the deepest parts of ourselves.
I understand about your garden- I am slowly reclaiming one like that too, literally tons of small stones on every surface, covering lots of concrete foundations of old sheds etc. I am planting where I can find good soil, my lawn is shrinking, I have planted several trees, and managed to find lots of good pockets to plant for wildlife. Gaia has a force that is not easily beaten!
I love the sound of your neighbour's garden. I think many of us are witches without even realising it. The word witch is so loaded.
My grandmother was to all intents a witch- but would have been aghast at being called so.
A magical path often finds us rather than a deliberate course we choose.

Hello I’ve been reading and lurking for a while and decided to post today I think I’ve found my tribe at long, long last. I’ve always felt so connected to the Earth loved being in forests/by the sea, I love all animals and plants especially cats. I’m drawn to crystals, stones, things like that. I never knew what it was before I always felt odd, religion was never for me, felt there was never a God in the traditional sense. I’m vegan, love yoga and meditation when I can.

I’m having a tough time mental health wise just now and with work, my body needs time to heal itself inside and out and I want to take this time to start on my journey, to explore more. I’ve always been drawn to the moon always known a full moon is special too. There’s so much I can relate to on your threads, Mother Earth, the femininity, nature, the moon. I just don’t know where to begin.

sweetkitty
It's so good to have you join us. Always a welcoming space here - a comfy old sofa and plenty tea in the pot.
I am sorry things have been tough for you recently, recognising you need to heal and allowing yourself time to do that is a wise and positive step.
It's good that you feel you can relate to our tribe here- take your time, it's a journey for all of us. You have already begun- trust your heart and listen to your instincts.

Thank you speakout my lovely black boy cat has not left my side as I’ve been in bed the past 2 days I think he knows I need cuddles too. I might order a book or two since I actually have time to read them.

Evening all, have just sat down with a cup of tea and catching up with the thread.

I'm having a really tough couple of days. Some of you might remember when I joined the thread I had just escaped an abusive marriage. I remember on earlier threads us discussing abusive relationships, and sadly several of us had been through horrible experiences. I'm having a bad time with my ex and his family. I've made some discoveries recently about what was truly going on around the time we separated and there's been a fall out to it all. It's resulting in a really stressful situation for me and I'd be grateful for some positive energy in dealing with it all. I feel like I'm never going to be free of the abuse and his bitterness.

Really I could do with some kind of banishing spell, like they do in Practical Magic for Gillian's abusive undead boyfriend I'm only half joking 😁

I've realised over the past couple of years how strong I can be but it gets tiring to keep fighting all the time.

Sending warm wishes to all who need it 🧙‍♀️ 🧹 ☕️ 🍂

Hello shyly waves, please may I join you? I have long felt a connection to this way of life, and have lurked for a long time before plucking up the courage to present myself, and start my journey down this path wholeheartedly

Sorry, that is meant to be perceived as I am shyly waving, I haven't got the hang of this yet!

Evening DymaFi, lovely you've joined ☺️

DymaFi A warm welcome, how wonderful you have joined us during Mabon week.
The fire is lit tonight, a chill in the air, help yourself to tea and a cozy spot.

Thank you very much for the lovely welcome 😊

@RainbowParadise I'm sorry you are having a tough time. My daughter swears this season is never in her favor and once Halloween hits, she feels settled. It's irony as the equinox is all about balance...perhaps it highlights when we are OFF balance.

Welcome @DymaFi! I too enjoy the anonymity of MN and this thread is just a joy!

Hello everyone and welcome to everyone new, this is more of a quick flypast than anything, but I noticed Speakout's interest in maths and using numbers and I wondered if this would be of interest, it's a programme using all sorts of maths to show where the sun rises and sets now and at any point in history, to show that the ancients actually did know and measure the significance of the movements of the sun, moon, planets and stars and what they saw in their observations and what we see today, anywhere in the world.

www.megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=Forum&file=viewtopic&topic=8213&forum=1&start=20

@Delphinium20 Maybe you are right about this season of balance showing us where we are off balance. I feel really disconnected when I was hoping to feel more connected. I have done some tiny amounts of gardening (new blueberry plant, picked the radishes) which is lovely.
I would really love to be more connected to nature, spend more time in it, live by the seasons, but am finding if difficult.
Any wise words/tips here? Or book/website/blog recommendations?

rivierliedje actually being outside helps, take notice of what's around you, above and below you, most people don't do that, they are just intent on getting to a destination rather than observing their journey in any mindful way.

Gather Victoria is always lovely to browse, I seem to find something new every time I visit. gathervictoria.com/category/autumn/

BlankTimes Thank for that link, very interesting.

Juts had to bring in and spin a large amount of laundry, it was sunny this morning, but it has been caught in torrential rain while I was at the supermarket.
I am feeling a little off balance today too, all the supermarkets here are back to the queuing systems, and of course we are not now allowed to visit each others' homes at all.

I was feeling so terribly flat and tired and washed out walking round Morrisons, and I suddenly remembered a conversation we had on this thread about absorbing community energy and feelings. All the media drama and virus news has seeped into my psyche, and I need to have a clear out.
It is more protection I need- so it's on with the obsidian jewellery, and I will cleanse and bless my home, at least the public areas when I have some private time. In the meantime, I will at least light a candle.

I also agree about being mindful when we notice nature, we don;t have to travel far to see the power of life.
Plants spring up on building sites and in cracks between paving stones, birds will come wherever there is food, we all have access to the sky- watching clouds, stars, watching the sun rise or set can be deeply nourishing if we take the time to notice.

Wishing everyone a magical day.

A question for the wiser and more experienced sisters here, if I may? Is a book of shadows and a deity to dedicate to necessary? I am being bombarded with information regarding these as essential on my quest for knowledge, but it doesn't quite sit right with me for some reason. I am finding myself drawn to the path of herbal law, observing and celebrating nature and the seasons, along with the use of crystals and lighting a candle with a good intention or blessing, not spells as such, similar I think to the wise woman/old ways path than a Wiccan/ruled religious path. Are there rights and wrongs in not following strict guidelines in how you practise a gentle, respectful and intuitive way of life? I'm doubting myself with regards to how I am going forward, and don't want to offend anyone or do wrong!
Blessed be

DymaFi

In the gentlest way- who is bombarding you?
Nothing is a necessity to follow a magical path.
One of the things I most love about being my own witch, my own woman is having no one to answer to in my magical practice- no rules, no laws, no judgement.
Of course some of us like the structure and support that systems or religion give us- Wicca or Druidism for instance.
I have absolute respect for anyone who feels that best suits them on their journey- that is their path- it doesnt suit me, and it does not prevent me from following a sacred way.

I guess what I am trying to say- is don't let anyone tell you what to do!!
You can have a grimoire or book of shadows, or not- as you see fit.
You don't have to dedicate yourself to a deity- but you can if it feels right.
If any group or organisation insists on soething that does not feel instinctively right to you- then my advice would be to move on.
Find another group, or work alone.

Good Luck.

speakout, thank you for your encouraging words. I was of the understanding that to work alone and follow your own path, you needed to have more experience, very reassuring to know I can be a hedgewitch from the start! I had tentatively approached some local people with similar beliefs, and found that they preferred the more structured path and way mentioned above, which I completely respect, and tried, but when I voiced I didn't feel they were for me, the bombardment of how "wrong" I was to want to follow the path I was considering, and how I could not consider myself a beginner witch if I don't not do these certain things. Hence me approaching a wider gathering to see what the general consensus is. I will thank them for their time and advice, and swiftly move on. Very grateful to know I can embrace what feels right for me, and still belong. Thank you again

I will thank them for their time and advice, and swiftly move on.

That's good to hear DymaFi - you don't have to answer to anyone.
Many of us on this thread are solitary practitioners, and have had no dealings with any other groups or pagans.
I have in the past dabbled with a couple of covens, but never found the right fit, and much prefer to be a soliatry.

How you walk your magical path is up to you- some of us like to call ourselves witches, others don't, some of us cast spells, others don't. Some of us like to use Tarot and divination, some not.
Some of us confine our craft to kitchen witchery, stirring love into stews and lighting a candle to keep our loved ones safe.
Some of us are into high ceremonal magic, some only work with herbs or oils.

Don't be afraid of breaking any rules.
Your path is sacred.

Can I join you for the 8am / 8pm candle lighting (as often as I can)?

I am not a witch (I don't think?!) but I need to feel some wise women around me if possible. I have two children with Autism and I am their sole carer. I have hard decisions to make (like, by tomorrow) and I don't know what to do. I bought a pack of Tarot cards but don't know where to start. I like the idea of lots of little calming acts throughout the day. I don't do any 'acts of self care' I don't think? I need to fill my cup better to care for my kids but I don't know where to start?

52andblue you would be more than welcome to join us.

I am a carer too, I know how tough things can be, I think it is even more important that we keep ourselves well nurtured.
There are lots of online resoures for Tarot, a simple way I have learned is to do a daily/weekly pick. Just one card, and look up the meaning for guidance for that day.

Look forward to seeing you at 8- there will be plenty tea in the pot!

Hello Magical Friends!

@rivierliedje Yes! I do think that nature and the seasons talk back to us, showing us where we can be off and providing a gentle reminder that the earth's rotation and her seasons will always come back to us and are our guideposts as we move forward. I hope this check-in here will be a consolation you aren't alone.

@DymaFi Welcome!!! I'm what you might call a hereditary witch, but I've had some training in Wicca and other crafts, but never found a coven (wish I had, maybe some day). My need to be anonymous is pretty important as I work in a field with some conservative subgroups, but I think I'd be pretty quiet about my practice anyways as that is my nature. Over time, I felt that Wicca was not really my thing, though I appreciate all the books and people I met. I just continue to do what I was taught to do by my grandmum, light candles, make small tokens, garden, honor seasons and pay attention to the moon. I did pick up Tarot and have used that as more of a way to call attention to things I know are true...but I have had some magical answers to my rituals using my great-grandmum's objects. These are very personal and I couldn't imagine not going my own way...don't let anyone tell you differently!

@52andblue I hear you about just wanting to connect w/ wisewomen. I am so happy I found this thread...a positive place in SM and a nuturing place you can just check in and find peace. I'm thinking of you as being a carer for little ones w/ SN. I'll light a candle for you tonight.

To all the rest of you on this thread: I lit two candles last night, one for home and one for you all, miles away from me in honor of fall equinox.