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.

omgyouatetheprincess

Welcome, I am glad you have joined us.

I am sorry to hear you have fears which you find uncomfortable.
Fear exists to keep us safe, but will sometimes be present in situations that don't merit fear. As a society we are taught to fear the supernatural, witches, demons, ghosts.
Do some research to find out why that is the case. why these ideas are in place. You may find some interesting answers.

Thank you @speakout i appreciate the warm welcome

I'll definitely keep researching. It's a sense of unease as if someone's always watching and if I focus on it for just a second, I get goosebumps and not be able to speak.

I know the media and film industry have both used the like of magick and either romanticised or twisted it and made it very scary, I just don't know why on such a deep level demons/angels scare me so much!

How's everyone keeping in recent times?

Omgyouatetheprincess

Yes the media have played a part- but there are much deeper influences.
The christian church has played a massive part in demonising old earth based pagan beliefs. Fear was a very powerful tool for them. We are still influenced by that legacy.

@Omgyouatetheprincess I agree with @speakout. Growing up I had a very, very religious mother. We had spirits in parts of the house and one was a nuisance (would wake us up and sit on us!) We were forbidden to talk about them because according to her, they are demons. If we talked to them, then we were apparently welcoming them in?! We had to ignore them, no matter what. My mothers skewed views made me wake up paralyzed with fear, when one spirit was around me. It's only been the last few years I've embraced spirituality. Most spirits are good, only a few are negative. It's easy to make them go away. I say a prayer, ask them to leave me and go into the white light. Now I'm no longer scared when I hear spirit talking to me. Spirit carries some beautiful messages for everyone. Christianity makes people suppress their physic side, by announcing that its evil! It is not. Spirits are people that pass on. It is their energy.

Thank you for sharing that @Beautiful3 do you think it's more the fear of the unknown that causes the fear?

I'm hoping that as I start to fully immerse myself the fear will disappear, I've always been drawn to the magickal side of things but I've always looked at it with a spark of fear, whether that's down to my imagination I still don't know!

I would suggest if you have fear about a spiritual journey or starting a magical craft then don't do it.

@Omgyouatetheprincess I wouldn't immerse myself into something that made me feel scared. I'm a big believer in energy. You attract similar energy to what you make. Your negative energy (fear) can attract more negative energy (negative spirit). I have spent the last years working on myself, to feel balanced and happy. I use meditation for guidance and reiki to realign (and unblock negative energy from) my chakras. I use a moldavite crystal too. Now I'm in a good place, I'm more open spirituality. I now hear spirit again but I dont feel scared anymore.

However, I agree with @speakout. I would not do anything that makes you feel scared. I personally would work on yourself for a long time, until you feel rebalanced and happy. You'll know when you feel ready to open up to the spirit world.

I'm hoping that as I start to fully immerse myself the fear will disappear
You really need to re-think your perspective on that.
I can't swim and no matter how much I tell myself I'm not afraid of the water - if I fully immerse myself in it, I'll drown. Fact.

I would suggest if you have fear about a spiritual journey or starting a magical craft then don't do it

These are very, very wise words which I echo as strongly as I can.

I'm confused as to what part you think "spirits" should play in your life and your references to demons - the only place I've seen those are in the Buffy and Angel reruns which I'm enjoying.

You'd be much better off spending your time finding out who you are as a person, learning to live gently and responsibly on our Earth, finding the natural rhythms that our modern life stamps out, gardening according to the moonphases, finding out what you resonate with and what resonates with you. Find a form of mindful practice that suits you. Do read through all the threads, there are more than plenty ideas there for beginners and more experienced practitioners, but I'll guarantee that up til now - unless someone posts one as a spoof and I must admit I was sorely tempted because I have a wicked sense of humour, - there's nothing about conjuring demons and all the other fantasy crapstuff.

Oh and for goodness' sake if anyone says they can teach you or even worse be your guide because you need them to show you things, or if they represent themselves in any way as an authority figure, that's a massive Red Flag. Run. People who do that are in it for their own gain, If anyone asks you for money or sex in exchange for 'knowledge' or 'initiation' Run.
Right now, you're very vulnerable to that type of person, keep your wits about you and learn to say NO! if anything you're offered or told to do makes you feel the slightest bit uncomfortable.

@BlankTimes thank you, I do see your point completely. I think you're right and I need to work on some inward things initially.

I've looked at a lot of paths in the occult and there are certain aspects of it that have left my mind run wild, which I think is the cause of some of my 'fears' I've been thinking about it today to try and understand where the feeling is coming from, there's things I've read whilst trying to get an understanding of everything that is a bit dark and I think it clouded certain aspects in my mind, if this is making any sense at all

@Beautiful3 thank you, I'm definitely going to focus on grounding myself first, and am looking into chakras etc

Beautiful3 and Blanktimes make some very important points.

A magical journey is a gentle one- learning to listen to your instincts and trust your heart.
At a pace which is comfortable.
Blanktimes makes some good suggestions about how to take things slowly, learning about the cycles and rhythms of the earth and working mindfully.

Evening all. I've been reading the discussion about spirits with interest. As some of you know, I work closely with spirit and spirit guides, and agree with all the advise given by my wise sisters!

As others have said, there's nothing to be scared of, spirits are our ancestors, they're just 'people' who have moved on. Just like on earth plane, there are all different types of spirits, none of them are bad but some are not as far along their development pathway as others. What can sometimes happen is that these spirits can attach themselves to someone so they feel will be sympathetic to them and make them feel safe. Often, the person won't be aware this has happened, but will feel different - maybe more depressed and tired than normal, or experiencing headaches or nausea - as they pick up on the spirit's energy.

This is why it's important to always make sure you have protection before inviting spirit in and put out an intention to only work with those spirits who work for the good of all.

I would always advise beginners to work with a group initially. As others have said, proceed with caution and never get sucked in by anyone who claims to be an expert, or charges a lot of money. A genuine teacher won't display any ego and will genuinely have a desire to help others on to their spiritual pathway. You would normally expect to pay a token sum to be a member of a group, but no more than £2 -£5, to cover the cost of room hire.

Even with a group, you should still proceed with caution. Listen to your instincts, and if the group doesn't feel right, don't go back. If you can find a good group and the right teacher, you can have some wonderful experiences and the energy is just beautiful.

At this stage though, and given most groups aren't running at the moment, I would start with meditation and learning how to relax down. Being 'spiritual' doesn't have to mean working with spirits. Get out in the elements, practise grounding yourself, learn about the moon cycles. Read our past threads and explore anything that makes you feel excited. There's so many different pathways, it's fine to dabble and find what feels right to you. Just take it slowly and enjoy ❤️

Evening all I have no experience at all with spirits do feel I have nothing I can contribute to the conversation sorry. I’m just starting on my own journey which for me is yoga, meditation, healing myself from within, following the moon, using crystals and listening to the earth/nature for me that’s more than enough to be going on with.

I’ve had a really bad day today, work was awful not the actual work but management. I feel my self esteem is at rock bottom and I’m totally rubbish at my job. Any ideas for protection against toxic environments?

The dog is going on for an op tomorrow too.

Sweetkitty this is very detailed in previous threads. In brief, reflect all the toxicity back where it originates, the more that's directed at you, the more you reflect back

I hope your dog has a speedy recovery, vet trips are so difficult now aren't they, especially when you have to hand them over in the car-park.

@Omgyouatetheprincess I've been a witch for donkeys years, I'm quite old. I'm 3rd degree Alexandrian and ran a coven for a long time.
Don't let your fear hold you back - I felt enormous fear the first time I did a ritual, it was from a lifetimes christian conditioning and a fear of the unknown.
That first step into the unknown is always the hardest - it's a step into the dark in an unfamiliar and strange terrain.
It is an initiation in itself, do it. If you feel ready take that step.
If I had not taken it I would not have opened up a whole new and wonderful spiritual world for myself.
My first ritual was from a book by Doreen Valiente and I followed it to the letter, I'm not even sure I knew where north, south, east and west were but the intent was there.
I was not struck down by lightning nor dragged to hell, my confidence grew and after a year of hedgewitchery I joined a coven, now I've given all that up and I'm a solitary hedgewitch again by choice. I do work with others occasionally old friends but generally alone.

@madcatladyforever
I’m curious as to how you became a witch? How old were you and how did you get interested?
I can relate to the fear. I was brought up with a fear of paganism ( hard line Christian sect).
I don’t believe all spirits are benign. Some are genuinely evil and this is what I fear dealing with. Most are lost souls looking for direction and can attach to humans.
We all need to use protection and understand how to deal with dark energies, because they do exist.

Madcatladyforever
Your story sounds interesting. I'm not drawn to being part of a coven, but always find it fascinating to read about other people's journeys and experiences. I've met so many interesting people along the witchy pathway

I've been awake since 6 which is unusual for me as I'm not normally and early riser. I'm enjoying the time alone while the house is quiet. In a moment I'll make coffee and toast.

Yesterday was my birthday. I spent the day at the coast, I love being by the sea, it's soothes the soul. I'm the way home, I stopped off at the city where DS is at university and let him for tea and cake, it was so nice to have a bit of time with him. He's such a lovely character, very gentle, and a bit quirky. He always makes me laugh!

Today I'm looking forward to a spa day with my Mum, we both agreed we all need a bit of relaxation right now. I'm feeling very grateful for having such great friends and family, I'm very lucky.

A belated Happy Birthday VioletCharlotte I hope you enjoyed your day. X

@madcatladyforever
I’m curious as to how you became a witch? How old were you and how did you get interested?
I can relate to the fear. I was brought up with a fear of paganism ( hard line Christian sect).
I don’t believe all spirits are benign. Some are genuinely evil and this is what I fear dealing with. Most are lost souls looking for direction and can attach to humans.
We all need to use protection and understand how to deal with dark energies, because they do exist.

I was in my 30's, I'd been to all the churches in the area with my son (single parent) and never felt welcome in any of them. The my cousin gave me a book about wicca and I was hooked.
I worked alone for a while then went to a pagan moot and met others and felt like I instantly belonged.
The coven I was initiated into was traditional craft then the High Priest died of old age and I joined an Alexandrian coven finally forming my own when I got 3rd degree.
I learnt that most people have no interest in learning, they just want to be "witches" and flake out at the first difficulty.
Real craft is hard and the study long.
I've yet to meet great evil, most of what you meet are parasites, entities that attach themselves to you and cause fear and panic, they are easy to get rid of as long as you know what you are doing. Evil isn't something I concern myself with because I don't mess about with it or pursue dodgy practices. I concentrate on bringing the Light into my life and doing my Great Work.
Dion Fortune's book Physic Self Defence deals with most of them.
I have no time for covens now and just do my own work, a coven is devilish hard work and most seekers fall away as soon as they get their first degree and don't want to do the work. I don't have time to pursue people to do work they can't be bothered with.
Solitary work is more rewarding, I'd say 1 in a 10,000 will become a real and meaningful witch/practitioner of the occult. The rest dabble.

I think a witch is something that one can self define.

I use the word witch because I want to reclaim the term.
I was brouught up as a witch- although I didn't know it at the time.
I was taught a lot by my grandmother who was born in the 1890s, she was a spey wife, a healer, a scryer- she would have hated the term witch!!
I was performing spells as a child, certainly as youg as 8 or 9, but would never have considered myself a witch then.
I was also lucky that I wasn't brought up in a christian famliy.
I was subject to low level indoctrination at school, but my father was an atheist and his way of seeing the world made sense to me.

I think witches can practice in many ways, and I think that we all have abilities.
Some of us just want to heal and spread love, others may want to take their craft very seriously, using ceremonal magick or follow occult paths.
All are valid paths in my book. Even "dabbling" is a meaningful thing to do.
Witchcraft is about claiming your own power, and refusing to allow
others to define or devalue what you do.

VioletCharlotte

I love early mornings too- the slow quiet start to the day, taking time to be mindful, feed the animals, drinl some coffee.

This morning I woke early to do a small ritual to support a friend who has a pivotal and challenging day today, and I'm now knee deep in wax making candles.
The rain is torrential outside, so still very dark and gloomy.

Have a magical day sisters.

Speakout

Thank you for the birthday wishes 🙏

*"Witchcraft is about reclaiming your power, and refusing to allow others to define or devalue what you do"
*
Yes to this! Beautifully articulated as always. Witchcraft and feminism are intrinsically intertwined (which is perhaps one reason why many fear witches). I didn't call myself a witch until I found this thread, way back at the beginning. I've always been spiritual, even as a child, but didn't realise what it was. When I left an abusive relationship in 2004, I began to explore tarot and mediumship, yoga and self-care, and it all went from there. Now I'm proud to call myself a witch 🧙‍♀️

Madcatladyforever
Agree with everything you said about not paying attention to lower entities. If you're working for the good of all, you set an intention to only work with spirits who work in the light. To anyone who is fearful, my advice is to focus on raising your own vibration - like attracts like.

Sweetkitty sending loving energy for your dog. I hope he makes a full recovery.

Happy Birthday for yesterday Violet! Sounds as though you had a great time!

You do not need to be part of a group to be a witch.

Blanktimes thank you! I've had a lovely birthday ❤️