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.

sweetkitty good to hear of your planned gentle approach to healing.
I think that magic and tending to our spirit are very effective tools in healing our bodies.
It's very cold here- snow is forecast for the next couple of nights, so I have my winter woolies on and stirring some magic into a spicy curry for dinner.
No tree up yet, but have managed to buy two fake trees from charity shops.
I always get a very grand Nordman fir, and still will as the main tree, but wanted to brighten up the neighbourhood by putting one in our front porch too.
The second fake one will go up in the garden room, we use it for entertaining over christmas usually, but as that won;t be happening a fake one will do. I can see into the garden room though my kitchen though, so the lights brighten the whole of the back of the house and bring cheer.
Will probably get the main tree next week, I am lucky enough to have a local grower, so hopefully a lower carbon footprint than a garden centre. He even picks them up free after christmas to use in his market garden as mulch.
I do love a christmas tree!

@speakout you are so right about self care benefitting the whole family. One simple mantra that’s stuck in my head is: you can’t pour from an empty cup. I say it so much, if I’m frazzled DH will say “what can you do to fill up your cup”? Work sounds so busy for you! Would you feel comfortable sharing/PMing me a link to your shop? Not to add to your load!! I absolutely love your approach to Christmas trees - the more the merrier. We have a 7ft very realistic fake (I’d love real, but just not practical with a baby, dog and cat) and I love the majesty of it. We put it up early this year and had such fun decorating and reflecting on the year as we went. I’m so fussy, it took me three goes to get the lights just right! Did you get snow? A warming curry sounds perfect.

@VioletCharlotte thank you, that’s very kind. Great news you’re feeling brighter and can get back to yoga classes. Do you have a favourite style? I think there’s a time and a place for all, but I love yin yoga.

@Delphinium20 I get like this with rituals too! Some really wise words here about not turning them into a burden. I think anything that grounds you and brings you back to you is worthy. I find the most important thing is intent and being present e.g. a bath could be just a bath, but if you pay attention it could be a salve, an antidote to a tired body, a sensory experience with essential oils and candles etc.

@HillsBesideTheSea 2020 sounds like a transformative year for you! I’m so pleased you’re going into 2021 with a clearer sense of things. I’m also drawn to reflecting at this time of year - isn’t funny how despite outside forces insisting we’re all so different, we’re really not.

@sweetkitty excellent news you could do some yoga and you’ve reminded me I need to meditate more regularly. That’s been on my to do list since about 2012!! A healing 2021 sounds gorgeous, for you and the wider world!

I had a frantic day yesterday. I’m not sure who mentioned The Spiral Dance, but last night I was weirdly drawn to stopping The Untethered Soul (more eastern approach to spirituality in terms of mindfulness / loss of the ego) and reading TSD instead. So I downloaded a sample and honestly, it felt like coming home.

I don’t know anything about the contents in it, but bits jumped right off of the page to me. Particularly about how western approaches are to rid yourself of sin and eastern ones ego. I have been focused on the latter for some time and always struggle with feeling shameful of natural human emotions (in some books I’ve read that’s because they’re literally considered a failure). Also re: meditation, how the author says that’s great, but not as great as practical steps in the real world (she uses the example of picking up rubbish). The history and sheer scale of the persecution of women was heartbreaking - especially how it’s rarely discussed in a meaningful way now. I honestly had no idea it was quite so awful, I feel ignorant.

I’m not making much sense I fear, but basically it just spoke to me. I really cannot wait to learn more. I’ve loved this group ever since I dipped my toes in, but I thought it was never really to do with the pagan / witch influence (of which quite honestly I remain utterly clueless about), but more so the respect and love of nature, the slower pace, the feminism. But from reading just the first chapter I can see it’s all linked. Ok I will stop rambling now as I fear in bordering on nonsensical!

Ps. Just doing a bit of reading and stumbled across this - www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/journey-into-witchcraft-beliefs/ this sounds like the exact opposite of beliefs that is described in the opening chapter to TSD.

purplefig - you make perfect sense- not at all nonsensical. I and most others know exactly what you mean.
Sifting through new treasures, piecing things together is part of the journey.
I am glad you find the thread supportive, your christmas tree sounds lovely.
A little snow overnight, but i was up very early, I have a gas engineer coming to fix a radiator, so need to get my oujtdoor errands doe this morning.
I have my 8am candle burning, hope it sends some warmth and support to my sisters.

Morning all. It's been a bit fraught recently - Christmas coming up, new job, various other dramas that I could so very well do without - so the posts on here about self care have been most beneficial. I've been having some remote healing but I'm trying to make a bit more 'space' for myself. More yoga, more meditation but not being too prescriptive about it: "I MUST RELAX MORE" is not all that relaxing a mindset

It's a very wet day here and I got soaked this morning when I rode - the waterproofing spray for my Winter coat can't arrive quickly enough! I was frozen when I got home so a hot shower, coffee and Clementine and Pomegranate candles are the order of the day.

BrightYellowDaffodil

I understand that sentiment about self care- it's finding the balance isn't it. If self care starts feeling like a chore then it is no self care at all.
But sometimes it can help to push ourselves over that inertia, because it leads to a far easier place afterwards.

Yes very cold here too- Just sitting here with a cup of ginger tea and wondering if I really needed that large slice of lemon cake with my lunch! Was delicious though!

A turbulent night here, woken by thundersnow storm, heavy crashing thunder.
The Caillaich is firmly asserting her ground as winter starts.
We have a very thick blanket of snow, I will have to take a brush to my car to get to my early yoga class this morning!
I will also save some snow in a jar- thundersnow water will be a powerful tool!
Have a magical day sisters!

Sending some thundersnow energy!

Oh wow speakout! I have never experienced thundersnow! Thank you so much for sharing that energy with us.

Wow i love a good storm , haven’t ever seen thundersnow here either !
‘ thunder in winter predicts snow in a week ‘ so they say . Looks like there’s no waiting for the snow where you are @speakout .
I haven’t posted much lately, I’ve been quite overwhelmed with worry and have sort of retreated to try to deal with it . I have been reading the posts and taking comfort from the lovely community and self care reminders and I spent some time appreciating the full moon last weekend . Shining down on me as I walked the dog .

Wishing everyone a good day 😂

Elasticatedwaist sorry to hear that things have been tough for you.
But so glad you have still been able to visit here and warm yourself by the fire.
Those who visit simply read are just as welcome in our cosy place.
A beautiful photo of the moon!

I am thinking about clearing some space- my chest freezer needs a serious clear out- I don;t even know half of what is in there! I also keep extra supplies, tinned stuff, dry food, cat fod, cleaning materials on some shelves in the garage, but everything is so higgledy piggeldy and started to creep across the floor- I am sure some of is is well past date too.
I want to make space for frozen candles again this year, i know a few of us joined in the fun, it will be interesting to explore some new ideas.
It would be lovely to have it cold enough to have some big ones in the garden that lasted months, but that wouldn't work in the UK.

So freezer it will have to be!!

Snow lanterns were something my mum taught me to make one of the very rare occasion that we had enough snow. She would always mutter about it being the wrong kind of snow and too wet. We had snow fall today but was far to warm for it to stick properly. But i appreciated it. Went out and stood in it for 5 mins (all i could do as supposed to have been working) People were looking at me crazy for enjoying it.

That picture is lovely Elasticatedwaist makes me want to wander out into the night for a long walk. Shame it is no longer the kinda area you can do that though. Use to love night time walks when I was younger.

BrightYellowDaffodil " "I MUST RELAX MORE" is not all that relaxing a mindset " made me laugh, it works almost as well as the "I must not be so stressed" that i have been trying to achieve and then wonder why I am stressed I hope that the activity focus helps you achieve the relax you seek.

I bought the book "before you cast a spell". It arrived yesterday and I started it on my lunch break. So far I am really enjoying it, and it was exactly how it was recommended. No nonsense and straight talking but making a lot of sense. Only 30 pages into a 180 page book. I have hopes for it and am planning to "read past" the wiccan aspect as there is so much that is more general that relates to the practise/path that suits me more.

Speakout the thunder snow made the news last night, the pictures were incredible! Amazing energy! No sign of snow here, but the temperature has certainly dropped. I remember the frozen candles you made last year, they were beautiful. I'd love to have a go but I only have a small freezer so don't really have the space.

Elasticatedwaist sorry things have been rough recently. I'm glad you were able to take a little comfort from the full moon energy

Hillbesidethesea that book sounds interesting. I know what you mean about 'reading past' the Wiccan stuff. Sometimes it can be a bit off putting, but there's often some gems if you persevere.

I'm about to set off for my first post-lockdown swim, really looking forward to being in the water again (and actually being outside the house as I seem to able spent this week glued to a screen). DS comes home tomorrow so I need to sort his bedroom out. It's full of Amazon packages at the moment as I've been using it store all the Christmas parcels. He's come to the difficult decision that uni isn't for him so will be coming home for good. He's had a difficult term, like so many students, so will need some love and nurturing while adjusts.

Love to you all for a happy Saturday.

VioletCharlotte It is a really interesting book. It challenges you to think before you cast a spell, the ethics of casting, reduction of backfiring. All sorts of really good things that I have not come across in a lot of books. Some of the older books I have, have brief mention things like looking at why you are casting (motivations/best solution approach etc etc) but none of the new ones I have come across. This one really goes into detail on it and I can see why it was so highly recommended. It is also a very easy read.

Sorry ds has had such a rough time. It is really an odd time to be at uni and I feel sorry for all the kids who are trying to navigate an already hard time of life developmentally with the added pressure of this strange covid world. I wish him luck as he evaluates and choses his new path, I hope that it brings him more peace.

Hope you enjoy your swim!

VioletCharlotte your swim sounds very brave and refreshing!! I am full of admiration.

It has been a really tough year for all students, all the good supportive stuff about university has been ripped from under students and left them with a lot to put up with.
I think your DS is making a brave step in deciding to curtail his course.
I have quite strong opinions about university and the way that secondary schools push it so hard.
It is seen as the top goal to strive for, if you have the academic ability but for many students it may not be the right thing, they may be pushed into settling for a course that they are not sure about, it may just be the wrong time.
Deciding to change direction is a positive thing- your DS now has many paths open to hime for his future- maybe university at a later date, that path is still open if he chooses.
You sound such an amazing mother, realising he needs time to unpack mentally and emotionally, that will take time, and your support and nurture are just the ticket.
In time his wheels will set in motion again, the world will be at his feet.
Enjoy this time- we don't always need to know where the next chapter in life will lead us.

Wise friends- ideas on this item I bought from a second hand warehouse/junk dealers.
It is wooden, about 1 metre square, quite heavy. The wood feels warm to the touch. The doors open to reveal a mirror, a little scuffed and in need of tlc, not sure if it is a door from a piece of furtniture or a wall hanging. The seller had no idea- it was from a house clearance. £10. Not sure what I will do with it yet, but it was sitting on the pavement outside the warehouse as I drove past, I had to pull over and buy it.
Any thoughts?
I thought it looked like a shrine, or could be, a bargain at £10.

It has an odd energy to it and i don't like the feel. I hope it is not like the spinning chair! The top picture looks like it has a face staring out...

Sorry Speakout i am of no use on this. I would run a mile from that piece.

HillsBesideTheSea

I understand about the "odd" energy- I think that is why I was drawn to it!
Can't see the face, although could be me as I was taking the photo!!
Thanks for your input!

I thought that about the face being you when you took the photo, i just don't get that energy feel from you. You are a much calmer gentler energy. Hopefully i am just over reacting, it is totally possible pain has been messing with my perception recently. Taking feel out of it, i would restore the wood, it could work as a shrine, but as i don't work with them you would have to set it up to work with the needs of your relationship for the energy/denity/ancestor you would work with it. Scrying tool would be another option, but i hesitate on that. It feels like it pulls in that direction but not sure that that is a good thing.

It looks full of character to me , I’m not sure what I would do with it , maybe put up on the garden wall with a window box beneath it or perhaps indoors over a console table where it can open up the room and reflect candle light .

I can see it on a garden wall too Elasticatedwaist, reflecting the sun and plants.
I think it’s a lovely looking item speakout, what a find for £10!

Garden Illusion mirror?

www.garden-mirrors.co.uk/decorative-mirrors/green-opening-shutter-garden-mirrors.html

sorry frantic rush, back later!

@speakout at first I was like no I don’t like it, I didn’t want to be negative I spent a good few minutes staring and studying it and I feel there’s something odd about it but I feel much better about it when the doors are opened and you can see the mirror. I wonder why? There’s definitely a pull or a story to it

@VioletCharlotte I believe in fate and uni is definitely not for everyone. I know so many people who didn’t go or who went then realised it wasn’t for them and left only to do something else and become successful.

Funny few days for me, I’ve starting visiting a chiropractor for my pain, it’s early days but getting some relief already. I walked the dog down the woods for the first time in weeks today. Was amazing getting back connecting with nature, the river was high, fast and furious as we’ve had so much rain and snow here recently.

I’ve been doing a lot of reading and soul searching about empaths as I believe I may be one. Anyone else here feel the same way? I live with 5 other people and sometimes it is just too too much I crave quiet and space.

On a positive note all the lovely Christmas candles are lit and it’s so cosy.

"I MUST RELAX MORE" oh yes, that's been me for a few years days

I keep reading the chart in my Moon Diary for Solstice and the Jupiter Saturn conjunction and gritting my teeth and telling myself to hang on in there, it will all be okay from then on.

Still not time for a proper reply, apart from suggesting a google image search for illusion mirrors, there are some amazing designs.

Blessings everyone on this chilly night.