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.

Hi everyone. Sorry for my absence too. I'm not sure where the time has gone though I have been doing a 12-week personal development course which contributed to me being so absorbed in other things! I certainly feel better for it and so clear about what I want from my future now. It's like the fog has lifted from my vision. I'm also so pleased as I am getting a few things in my garden renovated and it's a big part of my plan... have a natural space where I can feel restored and grow my own herbs and plants to make my own magical ingredients. I've already started small with a pot of mint and been making restorative teas. Although a neighbourhood cat has been using it as a toilet which has made me boak a bit..l. do you think it's still okay to make tea from?! As part of this I've bought a lovely new shed where I will have a counter top upon which I will tinker with magical ingredients

I hope saturday is bringing harmony for you all. It is a beautiful bright, crisp autumn day here. Elphame, I will observe this evening's 8 and send lots of love and healing your way. Speakout I love the image of your familiar being reunited with blankie! And Blanktimes I'd much prefer a Mabon lady to an Avon lady! (no offence to Avon ladies!)

Blurpblorp hi- I love your shed!!
There was some discussion of sheds on one of our previous threads- I am sure someone else posted a picture of their witch's thread. What a great idea.

I am just back from my local ( small) town to see some newly produced artwork that is on public display. Local artists have been comissioned to paint life size portraits of six women who were tortured and executed in my town during the burning times, and a picture of their accuser- The Witch Hunter General. We had a couple of very zealous church leaders at the time - so many women were accused that we had weekly witch trials of women. So sad, poingnant but good to see that these poor souls have not been forgotten

Going to be honest Blurbop if the cat is using the mint as a toilet i probably wouldn't be using it for tea. I love the idea of a shed. I take over the window sils in the house to grow the things. I am trying to keep a lemon balm alive at the moment and it is struggling. I need to get the light box going.

Speakout that art installation sounds really interesting.

Welcome Elasticatedwaist

Elphame i hope that you find some relief. forgive me, I am not going to trust my ability to send thoughts right now, I am very very very scattered and at risk of unintentional consequences.

I have fallen down a rabbit hole of research. I have to be real careful to not do this too often as it often results in me forgetting about reality. Am feeling the effects of lack of sleep today as was up way to late last night. But i am in the middle of learning about natal charts, retrogrades and all sorts of tarot based stuff. Jumping about a bit but it is making sense to the chaotic nature of my thoughts. I am hoping to pull my thoughts together by the end of the day, but enjoying the ability to allow them to be indulged.

question - if you don't really have a dominant hand which is your receptive hand. Am ambidextrous but with originally slight left hand dominance, was taught by school to be right hand dominant but now reverting to more left hand dominant/pure ambit. I chose the handedness depending on the task. I always make bread with my left hand, whilst i butter bread with my right.

i have an issue with my computer not keeping up with my brain.
ambit was supposed to say ambidextrous.

Hi all, I have always loved candles and have a special pink one to light at 8pm now for you all.

I do love the start of Autumn the colours have been amazing today on our dog walk I’ve been outside for about 4 hours today (horse riding lessons and dog walking so that was good). I really don’t like Winter though up to Christmas is ok but after that is very meh, I’m sure I have SAD and having fibromyalgia and Raynauds I spent the whole time cold. I love when we turn back towards the sun and new life begins in the Spring.

Loving the idea of a shed just for growing and making witchy things, so lovely.

Oh, what synchronicity, I was just thinking about how to build a shelter in the garden for witchy things and outdoor life. I was hoping to build something like in the picture (though probably smaller). We have an ancient falling apart tree house in a very tall tree in the garden which I think would be a good place to start.

Zapping quickly by, no time to stop but wishing everyone here a fabulous evening, mostly dreaming of sheds.

Hills hand dominance, which do you instinctively gather things towards yourself with, which do you cast things away with?

THis thread moves so quickly- so many amazing contributions!
Lovely ideas, photographs, support.

A lovely morning here again, stuffed full of sunshine, my laundry is out being kissed by solar energy. I started the day early with a vigorous sun salutation yoga, and OH and I hit the supermarkets by 8am!
sweetkitty your pink candle sounds perfect, a beautiful colour of love.
I missed the 8 and 8 last night, I had to pick up my DS from the gym ( one of the very few things we are allowed to do- but for solo excercise only- no classes)
Having a divine coffee before filling up my bird feeders with nuts, then start some work at an easy pace.

Catch the magic sisters!

Is there any room for a newbie?

I’ve been of a pagan/magical persuasion for a long time, although I don’t tend to use the word “witch” to others because of its connotations to them. So I’m pleased to have found these threads as it’s always nice to find others of a like mind

BrightYellowDaffodil Absolutely room for a new friend. Always tea in the pot!
I understand your feelings about the word "witch". We have to be circumspect, anf guarded,which is a sad, but you are right, it is a very loaded word.
But naming or defining ourselves is only a small part of who we are, and does not derail us from our path!
You are very welcome. ( and I love your username)

Blanktimes

Happy Birthday!

Thank-you so much Speakout for your kind wishes, it's been a happy magical day

@BlankTimes happy birthday boxing day! Hope it was lovely.

@Speakout I absolutely love your description of your Sunday morning. The small things really are blissful.

Hi @BrightYellowDaffodil you're very welcome. I too, never really tell people I'm a witch (although I did make it known in the personal development course I did and it was so uplifting to come clean) but I think the magic really comes from within and from Mother Nature who's never going to judge

Monday is here and I'm sending powerful, peaceful vibes to you all. I feel some baking coming on at some point this week. Might make this but with the blackcurrant jam my friend gave me from her allotment www.sweetestmenu.com/coconut-jam-slice/

Blurpblorp your baking sounds amazing, coconut and jam- very delicious combination.

Regarding the word witch- I use it a lot to describe myself. I feel quite strongly the need to reclaim the word. It is often used as a slur, an insult, when in fact it should be used to describe someone who has knowledge. Same goes for the word heathen or even pagan.
I proudly call myself a witch and mostly the reaction is positive.
I do have to keep that information secret from some of my closest family who are fervent christians. But that is mostly to protect my mother who would come under a lot of pressure to cut ties with me- and I am her only support.
My OH proudly tells all his work colleagues, my OHs family tell everyone they know too- they are please to have witch in the family!
Some people I have told have turned their backs on me- again unfortunately christian people.
Bt that's fine.
I am not a people pleaser!
Another quiet day, baking bread and home made soup this morning and making a few batches of candles. So lots of smells of food and essential oils from my kitchen today!
Firstly my spa shower to start my day.
Have a magical Monday everyone!

Hello everyone, does anyone know of a way to protect your aura?

Beautiful3 are you having problems?

So dark this morning, heavy black clouds and rain is pouring, mist hanging over the trees in the forest. I have lit a few candles to bring some light and cheer.
It's feeling very mystical and gothic here today, my cats are curled up in their favourite cosy corners.
I have to venture out to the post office soon and get a few supplies, but it will be a quick trip!

Belated birthday wishes blanktimes glad you had a good day.

I had so many people call me a witch in terms of the magical thing that I simply said yes i am on one occassion. Nothing more has been really said on the matter. And to claim it and stop denying the magic has helped to settle life so much for me. I don't use the word generally to describe myself. But if it is that obvious to people then there is no point in denying it. Few people know, because i feel it is a private and personal matter. But it is not a word that i am adverse to.

There is apple sauce making later. I am looking forwards to this quiet magical task after the chaos and hectic of everything else that has to get done today. Kitchen will smell amazing

Speakout half the time i read your posts and curse the fact that there is no way to show quiet appreciation for them. I have spent too long on other forums where there are like buttons tbh the other times i am nodding in quiet agreement.

HillsBesideTheSea you are so kind. X

Hi @speakout, thank you for your question. My young daughter has gone from always having good days to terrible ones, where numerous unfortunate things happen to her. We've been using reiki for good energy, and salt baths to absorb bad energy. We also use crystals. Moldavite to rebalance the chakras. Lately we've been visualizing the body with coloured bubbles, and a blue sheild for protection. Is there anything else we can do to repel bad energy and attract more good? Thanks for reading this.

@speakout thankyou I think we live in the same country it’s very miserable here today too all I’ve managed so far is a shower though

@BrightYellowDaffodil I’m a newbie too just starting to find by way although like you I’ve felt a sort of connection for a long while

@Beautiful3 so sorry to hear about your daughter it’s hard when our children are hurting, I’ll dedicate my 8pm candle to you tonight

Hello all!

So sorry that this is just a quick visit - I wanted to say happy birthday to blanktimes and to share with Beautiful a few things I’ve learnt about protection.

I have to preface this with these are things that work for me but might not feel right for you so please use / ignore as you see fit!

1. A rosemary plant growing (ie not dried rosemary) by the door(s) to your house ... rosemary is very protective and blocks negativity from coming into your home
2. Chanting to clear an aura of any residual negativity
3. Bear with me, this is a bit weird but ... visualising the person you want to help being protected by a pentacle. This can either be one under their feet and above their head or you can be more creative so when I do it, for some reason I visualise a spinning pentacle that forms something like a golden ball all around the person I want to help
4. If you’re using Reiki, can you focus on growing a “skin” of gold at the very edge of the aura to prevent negativity from entering / sticking?

I hope some of those are useful.

I have to run and do some housework now before a work call - I am unusually (VERY unusually) motivated to do some dusting today so I want to make use of that before the energy leaves me!

Thank you everyone who asked after my injured hound - she’s much better now although she’ll still need to wear a boot outdoors for another week. She seemed to have some nightmares immediately after she was bitten but she’s much calmer now.

Apologies for not being able to say hello to everyone individually but I wish you all light and love this Monday x

I agree about the rosemary - a number of years ago I found it very useful in protecting my car after it had been vandalised several times (through no fault of my own, unless you could "Driving a big car that catches the eye of little scrotes who think it's funny to slash tyres"!)

Murky day here and it's been a disappointing morning so far as my father has had a much-needed operation postponed. I know Christmas is quite a way away but I've lit a clementine candle left over from last year to bring in some brighter energy.

On the "witch as a word" front, I use it to myself but I find that for most other people it carries rather loaded ideas. I do quietly remind those who use it as an insult that there's nothing wrong with being a witch!

Thank you @sweetkitty, that's really kind of you. I appreciate it. How can I do this please, for others with a candle?

@GinIsMySaviour wow, all excellent pieces of advice. Funnily enough since this started I have been seeing the pentacle sign. I have been using it with my other symbols. The visualization sounds great, will try all of those. Also off to purchase a rosemary plant this week!

Thank you both. Much appreciated.