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.

@Broceliande I'm new here too - welcome! Lovely group here...I've learned so much and it's my favorite part of the day to check in.

Welcome to the weekend magical sisters.
Still quite blustery here, just about to start my day.
DD is coming over today to stay the night and fill her cup, so I am popping out to do some food shopping early, I also need some salt and other witchy items.
Off for my sweet orange spa shower before starting my day.
Witch boldly!

Morning all

Another busy week- I started a new job (learning it from home!) during lockdown so that's been intense. The DC are back at school and it's lovely to see them happy with their friends again. I drove to Avebury yesterday- the first decent length drive since passing my test. Avebury is my happy place and it was a gorgeous day, a perfect time to go.

Not feeling at my best today after a couple of g&t's last night, still it was a lovely evening! Wishing you all a magical day ✨

RainbowParadise Congratulations on your new job- thanks for sharing that wonderful energy, and a trip to Avebury in the car- great to see you are gaining confidence now you have wheels!

I have never been to Avebury, it sounds amazing.
I would love to go, but an 800 mile round trip- mostly motorway driving is very offputting.
I'm afraid I tend to head north given the chance- so many ancient sites, stone circles within a short drive.
Still a windy day here, but quite a bit of sunshine, my laundry is dancing in the wind..

Good evening(ish) sisters.

Oh my weary broomstick, what a week! I have so much to catch up on so forgive me if I miss out someone accidentally.

wheresmymojo thanks for telling us more about the animal communications course, it sounds amazing and I bet you’ll love it!

Queenrollo glad to hear that school has started successfully - I am sorry to hear that you are still facing some unresolved challenges. I hope the weekend brings you some restful time to contemplate and find answers.

YashmisCrone thank you for yet another beautiful picture. Really thought provoking and I found it quite mesmerising too.

VioletCharlotte I hope you are looking forward to your weekend off. Do you have plans or are you going to rest and enjoy some serendipity?

Delphinium I hope your friends in California are okay. What scary times. One of my friends is about to relocate out there with his family ... he’s hoping for a tactical delay in the moving date.

Broceliande welcome! I was raised a strict Catholic so I can relate to what you wrote. Like others, I still feel a connection to a higher power - for me it tends to be a universal energy (I practice Reiki) with manifestations of this in archetypal form through Tarot and nature work. Actually, nature “work” isn’t the right phrase, I mean just feeling closer to certain archetypes when I am in nature or hanging out with my daft pets or other animals.

Speakout I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your DD!

RainbowParadise congratulations on your new job!

All’s well with me but I am drained by a crazy busy week last week, as anticipated. I am so fortunate to have such wonderful and fulfilling work that I was able to transpose to remote working when the pandemic hit - and I guess part of that is accepting challenging weeks and finding the internal resources to get through them. I’m pleased to say I survived though, with only a minimal reliance on wine last night to unwind!

My gift from the autumn today has been that my little vine’s grapes have finally ripened. It was a tiny little plant when we got it last year and now it’s a majestic grape producer! I had a wonderful morning when everyone else was still in bed and I sat in the garden drinking tea and eating grapes straight from the vine. I watched the garden wake up as the sun came round to hit it and brought bees and butterflies in its shimmery light.

As we’ve all touched on, I am still at a loss to know how to deal with the uncertainty and danger in the world right now. Sometimes, I feel that I am dealing with it all well and then I feel a sudden lurch of not knowing what to do / how to help / how to prepare for what might be a troubled winter. I am opening up to and asking for guidance on this.

May we all find peace and serenity this weekend.

Wishing you all a lovely evening and I am looking forward to taking part in the 8s later. I will be sending as much gratitude as I can for this lovely group of supportive and welcoming people. I am also going to promise to TRY not to open the wine until afterwards otherwise who knows what kind of wonky energy I’ll be sharing

Just a little uplifting song for anyone needing a little nurture tonight.

That’s a beautiful song speakout, thank you. Very comforting. I happened to listen at 8pm yesterday. I am light. wonderful

It’s a beautiful day here, full of autumn sunshine. I can feel the pull of wild water and I’m working through the day’s necessary tasks in hope of getting my fix a bit later.

Wonderful to hear about your grapevine Gin and your magical time in the garden, so beautifully conveyed in your post.

Rainbow so happy to hear about the job and the driving! Go you! Wonderful that you took yourself to Avebury, here’s to the freedom your achievements will bring.

Love to all for a magical Sunday

YashmisCrone you are a hardy soul!! It is quite stormy and wet here, I have the heating on and candles lit.
Again working at a nice easy pace and being mindful in my craft.
It was good to see my DD yesterday, she stayed only for a few hours, OH took her back to her flat, loaded up with food and favourite goodies.
Lebanese green bean stew tonight for us with flatbreads- nice and easy, and always a winner- I make loads as leftovers are always in demand too!

I've had a busy weekend over at my field and am exhausted but in a good way!
I have dinner to prepare, just something simple and make sure school uniform is ready for the morning etc and then I can relax!

Good evening. Please may I join you? I have been lurking for a little while now, but am continually drawn to these threads, so thought I would come forward. I have long had a fascination with the "old ways", and love being in nature, growing things and spending time with animals. I'd love to share your wisdom and the sense of peace and togetherness that accompanies this group, if I may?

CobletCymraeg
You are more than welcome. Grab a cushion and a tea. Late summer is a perfect time to draw closer and greet new friends.
I love the sound of your "old ways"- many of us can relate to that.
So glad to have you here.

I did make it down to the river ( thanks YashmisCrone for the idea) no swimming, but did gather quite a few acorns for planting, and the hidden folk were out this evening. Just back from a beautiful walk.
Labanese stew has gone down a storm, Only a small amount for later as OH and DS gobbled up second helpings with piles of flatbreads.
Hope everyone is having a restful day.

Thank you very much for the warm welcome! Today, me and my noble steed went for a meander on some ancient moorland that has evidence of bronze age dwellings... it was quite something to be somewhere where people had once lived so simply and more in tune with nature and the seasons, and look upon modern civilisation in the distance. The breeze was also quite refreshing!

Im really enjoying reading about how you've all been spending the weekend. There's always such beautiful energy on this thread, it's a place of solace, away from the madness of the rest of the world!

I'm feeling refreshed today, I slept so deeply last night and woke up just after 9, which is really late for me.

I've been for a long walk in the forest this afternoon, it was so peaceful and beautiful, hardly saw a soul so I was able to wander a long in my own little world, just me, the dog and the sounds of the trees and birds.

Yashmis I hope you made it to the river or a cleansing dip. I can feel the pull of the water too, I'm hoping to get down to the beach for a swim in the sea this week.

Speakout the weather in Scotland must be somewhat cooler than it is here - we're all in shorts and t-shirts down south! I smiled at your acorn gathering, I keep collecting them too. I've got a bowl full of acorns and conkers and all sorts of other bits and pieces from my walks! Your Lebanese curry sounds delicious, would you mind sharing the recipe if you get a moment?

RainbowParadise so pleased to hear you're enjoying your new found freedom and that you made it to Avebury. I love it there too!

Queenrollo it's lovely to hear you sounding so happy, sounds like your little one has settled back into school well

Gin I know how feel about work exhaustion, I was feeling exactly the same Friday evening. Like you, I'm working from home, I work for the NHS so it's all pretty crazy. I understand that feeling of uncertainty. Your grapes sound wonderful, a delicious treat!

ColbertCymraeg welcome pull up a cushion and join us, newcomers always welcome in the witches kitchen.

VioletCharlotte I slept late too today most out of character, but I feel refreshed- I hope you do too. Yes this is such a place of solace and ease, so many beautiful souls.
CobletCymraeg I love the sound of your walk, ancient places pique me too, my local area has lots of buildings from the 15tgh and 16th centuries, but lots of Neolithic sites too.
Blanktimes is our expert on ancient sites, and I suspect there are lots of local but undocumented places, carvings and structures.
I live quite near Roslin chapel, and within a two minute walk of the river that flows past there and my house. The deep river gorge is peppered with caves containing many carvings, spirals, torch marks, cup indents etc, but most of it has never been investigated.
Still magical to me!

I am happy to post my version of Lebanese green bean stew.
I have a meat ( chicken or lamb) or a vegan version.
All delicous.
DS and I had been visiting a lovely Lebanese restaurant in the city- and this was one of our favourites. I researched and experimented, and this seems good.

Good evening friends, I have missed you.

Lovely to read all your autumn doings, it's my favourite season as well but sorry to hear that some have been having troubles.

I have been having a stressful time. Work is challenging with all the restrictions and I have had no heating or hot water for the last month as the boiler needs a major repair and I didn't have the funds available until now. The engineer is coming to fix it tomorrow! I joined the earn £10 a day thread and have ben working my socks off to make some extra cash. I thought the worst was about to be over but this morning the hoover died and I heard there has been a major fire at the farm where my nursery is situated. Luckily the nursery is not damaged and all the animals were rescued but I feel so sorry for the lovely couple who run the farm.

I am also struggling with judgement from my daughters about my home and lifestyle. I live very simply and am not well off financially so my home, although clean and weatherproof is a bit shabby and my wonderful garden a bit on the wild side. I also have a lot of books! The girls have said the house is embarassing and they won't bring their friends here although they have always been welcome and in the past there were always lots of kids here, my home baking was popular! Basically they have said I either move, take out a loan to get a new kitchen and redecorate or accept that they and any future grandchildren won't visit. I naively thought I was giving them good food, a warm home and as much love and support as I could and that would be enough.

I can't bear to move to a new build on an estate with a tiny garden so I think I will have to try to remortgage but it's all giving me sleepless nights and I'm feeling sad and rejected.

Please send me some positive energy and I will do the same for all you lovely people who accept me as I am.

Oh I forgot speakout I would love the recipe for the vegan version of the Lebanese stew and also a pm with a link to your shop if that would be okay.

Yes, to the vegan version too from here.

I don't have any words of wisdom Kate but I'm sorry that you feel sad today...

How old are your DDs

?

Evening everyone.
Welcome CobletCymraeg you'd be surprised how much ancient history is nearby. Have a look and see what's near you. Rainbow you'll be able to plan loads of journeys to visit ancient places now! www.megalithic.co.uk/topics.php?countries=1

Speakout thanks so much for your kind words I'm not a qualified expert, just interested Yes please to both of the recipes and a link.

Kate wow, I'm stunned that your girls could say that. Firstly, don't move, don't change a thing, you must be yourself and true to yourself in all this. Somewhere they have picked up incredibly skewed views of what's real (social media at a guess) and they are parroting that at you, take no notice. Their perception of life's values is way off-kilter.

I'm guessing they are teens, I used to tell my DD when she was that age it was my parental duty to be an embarrassment, teens are supposed to regard us as all shades of cringey, it's a phase they all go through before they grow up.

What you have already given them is more than enough, they WILL realise that when they are old enough to understand what really matters in life. Hang on in there, you're doing fine. Don't change a thing. Energy on its way.

Violet you mentioned upthread about envisioning our space being surrounded by a circle of pink light, when I read it, I saw a stone circle made of Rose Quartz - isn't that something, there's not one in existence, there are some with pink granite stones, some where one or a few stones look pink from mineral inclusions, but not a rose quartz one.

Yashmis Wild Water Witching is so you!

I apologise for not naming everyone who has posted interesting and informative subjects, it's late and I've still lots to do before bed. The exhaustion we're all feeling is I think from dealing with the changes this current situation is bringing, the differences we're encountering in our daily lives and other peoples' reactions to it.

This is lovely for a get away from it all moment, these images are stunning. www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8722329/Stunning-image-Andromeda-galaxy-takes-prize-astronomy-photographer-year-2020.html

Good morning all!

I hope everyone is well and that the week is off to a good start.

I’m afraid I don’t have time to namecheck everyone but I wanted to jump in to echo Blanktimes ‘ reply to KateF

Kate I am so sorry to hear about what you’re going through. It challenges us to the core when our DC are so very openly judgemental. I completely agree with BlankTimes though - it sounds like you have provided a wonderful and loving home for your DDs ... if they choose not to be a part of that for a while then it may be an opportunity for them to learn (the hard way) that flashy kitchens, and shiny new things do not always reflect a nurturing and loving spirit. However hard it may be to hear your DDs disagree with your way of life, there is an authenticity in what you wrote that it would be such a shame to betray by moving / changing your home.

Who knows what kind of peer pressure your DDs are experiencing ... but I think it would be a massive bear trap to validate the need to conform and focus on appearance rather than substance by acting on what they say.

You have provided love, stability, warmth and safety for them in your home. They will come to appreciate that. If, for now, they need to explore superficial status and appearance, they will come to see how it is ultimately far less important than everything you have given them.

They will get it. Be confident in the role model you are for them - trust in your home and wisdom.

I will be sending energy your way tonight ... and a wish that your DDs stop feeling the need to be distracted by materialism soon.

Wishing everyone a peaceful Monday

Good morning all. Kate F I'm so sorry you've been going through this, it must have been awful to have no hot water all that time. Really sad to hear how your daughters are behaving too. I agree with Blanktimes that so many people have such unreal expectations these days, fuelled by social media and TV, it's really worrying.

My week off may not go as planned. DS2 (19) woke up with a sore throat, headache, runny nose and temperature. I'm sure it's just a cold, but he has been doing rather a lot of socialising. I've managed to book a Covid test for this evening (40 miles away!) so let's hope it's negative!

Good Monday everyone.
Just having a coffee and a sit down before I move on to my next task of the day.
Lebanese Green bean stew (loubyeh b’zeit)- it isn't a curry more of a spicy vegetable stew.

DS and I eat this at a local Lebanese restaurant , and is so good I worked out how to make it at home

Serves 2

1 onion chopped
4 cloves garlic crushed
60 ml olive oil (I use more!)
1 can chopped tomatoes
sprinkling of chilli flakes
500g fine green beans
1 tsp ground cumin
1/3 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground black pepper
handful fresh coriander
salt to taste

Saute onion until soft, add garlic and spices, fry for a couple more minutes then add tomatoes. Simmer for 15 minutes.
Top and tail beans, add, stir and cover until the beans are cooked. Add a sprinkling of fresh coriander and serve.

Normally I eat my beans al dente, but this recipe calls for beans to be cooked to a softer texture, which leads to a lovely unctious smooshable stew, perfect for mopping up with bread.
I like to serve with rice, or a really fab Lebanese flat bread I found in ASDA- Paninette brand- I put under a grill for a few minutes to warm and crisp up .
I have made this stew with chicken, I know the restaurant serve a varaition with lamb, I think maybe chickpeas would work well too, but just the green beans is lovely.