Any Witches here? Part 13

[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.

hilariousnamehere thanks for looking out for the candles, but they will be too expensive to post. they are in large heavy thick glass containers.

It reminded me of the year I saw some very reasonably priced large electric salt-lamps and bought a dozen or so to save until Yuletide then gift them. It took an age to wrap each one securely and when I got to the Post Office, they didn't understand what they were, then they wanted to know if I was a commercial trader because of sending the same item to so many different people then to my horror they were over £12 each to post.

I'm sure there must be a generic Oud to buy that doesn't break the bank, as you said, it's prevalent in the Gulf area and not just something that's exclusively among the more affluent people.

Speakout and Elphame Oh yes, missing things just appearing in a place you know you couldn't have not noticed them. Happens a lot here too.
About 3 weeks before Yule, I bought a bag of red potatoes and put them in A Safe Place. By now, I ought to be able to locate them by their smell alone, but no. They must be in a parallel dimension because they are definitely not here. After this length of time, I'm not sure i do want them back!

Aerwyna you are so right about finding the right place for solitude.

Violet It's lovely to give a room a makeover, like a fresh new look for an old friend. I really need to do that here!

I'm enjoying relaxing in here with a mug of Night Time Tea by the fire.

blanktimes yes, postage can be a killer.
I used to sell second hand books on Amazon as a business, was stung several times in he early days having to post really heavy books as I hadn't taken into account weight. A few times I ended up making a loss on a sale.
The candles sound lovely. I need to buy some incense too- some Asian shops have good selections, and often less expensive than buying online. No such shops in my area though, without breaking covid rules here.
violet your room sounds uplifting- perfect for spring. I spruced up my own bedroom recently too, my lotions and make up were a jumble.
I have found myself inclined to me more motivated to do skin care, especially before bed, everything is much more of a pleasure to use.
I even have a little raku bowl to place used make up pads waiting to be laundered.
Finding pleasure in small things is such an act of nurture, tending to ourselves in such tiny ways can make such a difference.
Laundry day today, I have a stack to do, I look forward to getting clothes outside again.
I usually line dry even during the winter, the magic is too much to resist, but it has been so wet for weeks, that has not been possible.

I hope everyone finds a little enchantment in their day.

Hi, yesterday I felt the magic so close. But something happened later and I was jangle quite badly by the energy.
I almost don't have the energy to do massive actions or magic anymore, since I lost my beloved dog and then my beloved mum (also best friend and everything) six weeks later.
I am finding getting going hard today. I often wake up and feel very down and depressed. I usually move through it and it either shifts or not much. I have three young children and a dog so not a whole load of choice.
I am trying to use the thi s weekend to recharge a little ready for the coming week.

It may be something physiological that accounts for the morning down.
Not looking for a fix it of course, just understanding.
Life has been very difficult over the last five years here. I'm aware of that impacting.
I'm just sitting and not feeling like much. I know it will pass. I am not my emotions.
A solo walk opportunity with the dog is good too.

Good afternoon sisters - I wanted to drop in and say hi as I haven’t had the chance to slip into the kitchen recently.

Spiritwriter - so sorry to hear of the loss of your loved ones.

It’s cold and blustery today - a real feel of winter. But the wheel has turned. Flowers are budding and birds singing. Spring can be felt. I’m spending some time clearing out and letting go of things that no longer serve me.

Blessings to all

Oh, I see what you mean @BlankTimes - sorry, for some reason I was thinking of tall candles

I managed nearly ten hours sleep last night which has absolutely rejuvenated me and we finally have snow! So mostly I have been watching the snow and writing and dreaming today.

@Spiritwriter I'm sorry for your losses and sending you some of my energy to help pull you through x

I absolutely love this thread - I find it a calming oasis in the storm.

I am so sorry for your loss spiritwriter x. I too, have experienced much loss over the past 5 years: both parents and sibling and no extended family that I am in contact with.

Speakout I am hoping to follow a similar route of selling books on-line. I am an author to be (self publishing later in the year) and have always really loved books, so selling books seems a natural thing to do. Currently sourcing packaging - if you have any tips, they would be very much appreciated. I have always had an admin type job but with 3 dc at home I am resisting going back into an office environment. Only recently have I gained the opportunity to be more true to myself and follow what I would like to do.

Also very sorry for your losses spiritwriter and Daphnesmate04

Serious witchcraft here today... turning Seville oranges into marmalade! Paddington would be proud of me.

I was half worried that they'd be hard to come by this year with the Brexit teething troubles so I grabbed some a few weeks ago. I really have to be in the mood though as it's such a faff to do.

Elphame...I know what you mean about marmalade being a faff. I have blackberries in the freezer still waiting to be made into jelly/jam. I enjoy the foraging bit more than the making!

Spiritwriter I am sorry for your loss.
Grief is different for everyone, be gentle with yourself. We can't resolve things , but many of us have experienced loss, and you have a safe safe soft landing spot with understanding when you need shelter from the storms.
Daphnesmate04 good luck with your book selling venture- I sold books on Amazon for 12 years, it was my main source of ( part time ) income when the children were young.
I used to gather bubble wrap from supermarket fruit sections- certain staff knew me and would keep mounds of it. That with simply brown paper would give good protection.
I think increasingly buyers prefer items wrapped in low plastic packaging. It’s hard, because you do want to protect books from getting wet!
Elphame I imaging your kitchen to smell divine! I love marmalade, seems to have gone out of fashion a little, but I always have a jar in the fridge, I’m the only one in the house that likes it.
Just sitting having some peppermint tea as I wind down for the evening hoping for an early night. A blizzard is raging outside, I feel so fortunate to be warm and dry inside.

A lovely post as always speakout. Yes, two of my three children are still young and I am only looking to work part-time. That is a brilliant example of recycling but I know what you mean about the plastic being an issue. I have always loved books and it dawned on me to give it a try...if you have any more tips...for example what might sell well, I would be glad to hear. I have a varied collection at the moment - I adore vintage books and I have a good number of them but I have also built up a collection of self help books/books connected to my writing hobby and some text books. I have written a novel that centres around grief... it won't be everyone's cup of tea but it was a wonderful outlet for me to express my grief and I hope to self publish it either later this year or early next year (if my courage remains).

Good morning magical friends.
Daphnesmate04 your writing sounds wonderful. I don't know much about publishing, but I do know that cultivating self belief is the springboard for any venture!
I only sold other people's books- I would source them from jumble sales, house clearances, auctions, anywhere I could find bulk books at a decent price. Mostly non fiction. I became adept at spotting which books would sell and make a good profit.
Unfortunately all these outlets are closed during covid times.
Amazon is the better platform to sell second hand books.
One good thing is that there are no listing fees on Amazon- books do sell on ebay, but you will be charged to list, even if the book doesn't sell.
Amazon is not time limited either, on ebay you can have eitheran auction or a fixed time listing with set price, usually 30 days, but with Amazon your book will remain there for sale indefinitly until it sells or you remove it.
So you can list as many books as you wish on Amazon without paying a penny. You only pay a fee if the book sells ( around 17%), and you also get a set postage allowance.
A very chilly start to the day here, heavy snow overnight, and we had a power cut yesterday evening that lasted several hours, it was widespread across thousands of homes, even knocked out 4G networks.
I am glad I always have plenty candles!
Just about to hit the yoga mat and start my day.

Have a great day sisters.

Speakout goodness, I'm glad your power's back on. Did your heating go off? I remember when I was very little we had a snow storm that caused a power cut. In those days, candles were kept only for that purpose, so I thought it was the most exciting thing ever! I don't imagine I'd enjoy it so much now. Stay indoors and keep warm. I bet the snow's beautiful to look at.

We've only had a few flakes here, but it's icy cold with a bitter wind. I'm feeling a little fed up, you may remember I said I'd started running? Well, I was just getting into it and starting to enjoy it, when my hip started to hurt. I've tried to keep going in the hope it was just a twinge, but it's now really sore and kept me awake last night. So I've no choice now but to rest (something I'm not great at!)

Spiritwriter I'm glad you found us again and I'm so sorry for your loss. Please be kind to yourself and don't put pressure on yourself to do too much. Just take things day by day

Elphame well done on the marmalade! I do wish I liked the stuff as it always looks and smells so good!

Bitterly cold here - few flakes of snow in the air but I don't think it'll be much. I'm just so glad it's this week not next. We need a new central heating boiler which is being done next week and will take about 4/5 days to do. We'll not have much in the way of heating or hot water for much of it.

The current boiler is around 50 years old and on it's last legs. Of course new regs mean we can't site it where the old one is so it's a major job. Not looking forward to it but it does need to be done before the old one finally fails

Thank you so much for all your help speakout.

Daphnesmate04 Sending some magical energy for your ventures.

Oh speakout, that must have been chilly to say the least! Although I can imagine your home looking magical and smelling divine with your beautiful candles.

Like Violet I remember candles only being kept for power cuts when I was young. I also thought the candlelight was magical. I remember a power cut during a storm when I was three. We lived close to the seafront and there was a risk of flooding, we lived in a bungalow so went up in the loft. I remember my mother seeming alarmed but my three year old self could only sense that glorious wild sea energy, it felt invigorating. I didn’t know what her problem was!

Violet I can sense your frustration and hope your hip has eased a bit with rest. Such a shame when you we’re getting into it. I hope there’s a way round it for you. I had to smile though as I’ve been in a state of enforced rest today too, I put my back out yesterday and also had a painful night, the tiredness and enforced stopping triggered a migraine, so I’ve done very little today. I can’t help thinking in my case this was my body’s way of making me stop. I know I’ve been overdoing it recently and feeling stressed/worried. I’ve found this has happened before when I’ve ignored signs to slow down. I never watch tv in the daytime but have enjoyed watching natural history programmes today with a hot water bottle and a blanket. An easy traybake in the oven for tea and no plans to do anything strenuous!

I hope all goes as smoothly as it can with the boiler Elphame, and that it’s milder by then. You could do with an escape while it’s done, it’s a shame it’s not possible at the moment.

Daphnesmate04 your new ventures sound exciting! Wishing you all the best with it and look forward to hearing how it’s going

Sending love to those experiencing grief, such a tough time to go through it too, as if it’s not hard enough already. I can only echo the wise words of the others to go as gently as possible and take as good care of yourselves as you can manage. You’re among friends here, supportive energy to lean into when you need it

I hope everyone’s evening is peaceful

Aerwyna so sorry to hear about your back. I agree with what you said about being made to rest. We push ourselves too hard and done listen to the warnings signs. I can picture our guides shaking their heads in despair sometimes! Take it easy and go gently on yourself.

Elphame boilers always seem to choose the worst possible time to need replacing! Ours had to be done the week before Christmas. All the upheaval is such a pain! Have you got some electric heaters you can use while it's being done? We were able to borrow some luckily, they give off quite a bit of heat and certainly better than nothing at all!

Daphnesmate04 good luck with your venture, your novel sounds really interesting. I hope you decide to go ahead and self publish.

My hip's still a bit sore, but a zoom yoga class this evening seems to have loosened it up. I think I'll stick to yoga, Pilates and walking from now on, much gentler on the body!

Thank you for your good wishes. It is only a small venture and I don't think it will be very profitable but the exciting thing is, it is my venture. In the past, I suppose I have always played the supporting role - either to men and their jobs/businesses and at work and also to my children and I have never done much for myself. I only want to work part-time around my children and I thought with very little investment, I would give it a go especially considering my love of books. It was a big revelation to find writing again. I always enjoyed writing as a child but somehow lost it along the way - most probably amongst work, having children etc . Ironically, it was through bereavement that I found it again.

A bitter wind tonight. I have just been for a walk. The sleet skimmed my face as I walked toward it. Clearing to the mind and restorative.

Elphame Good luck with the boiler. A few years ago, I remember being without heat in the midst of winter thanks to a temperamental boiler.

VioletCharlotte sorry to hear about your hip, I hope it improves soon. The few times I have tried running I get hip problems too, my IT band.*
Aerwyna I hope you are feeling better today- I know things have been stressful for you, you are wise in taking things easy.

Daphne "but the exciting thing is, it is my venture." I can so relate to that. So often - especially as women- our efforts are minimised, our desires to stake a claim for independence minimised, and when we achieve that despite the odds it is something to be cherished and nurtured.
When I became self employed I had comments and judgements from all corners telling me it wouldn’t work, I was wasting my time, to get a “proper job”, it wasn’t secure.
Luckily I didn’t listen, and when my business started rolling it felt almost like having another child!!
Even now as many don’t understand what I actually do so many people – even those close to me feel to tell me how to steer, what I should be doing
Last week my OH said to me “ This has really landed in your lap, you are so lucky to have this success come so easily”
I glared at him and said “ No, I just make it look that way”.
I think having a solo venture can also be a lot more challenging than working with a partner or others. While you have the benefit of not having to compromise you need to cultivate a considerable amount of self belief and tackle those doubts head on. The lessons I have learned in working alone have served me well in other aspects of my life. Coming to learn that my instincts are often right, to believe in my abilities, to take leaps of faith, to not be afraid of the unknown.
If we can find trust and belief in ourselves then anything is possible.

I have woken up to around 18 inches of snow this morning. I am not sure what the main roads are like, but I think it may be difficult to get anywhere today- and the snow is still falling heavily.
Rather exciting!!
Looks like winter still has us in her frosty fingers!

Thank you friends, I’m feeling better today for a restful day and early night. I know my energy is all over the place at the moment so I need to step carefully (literally for now too!), not taking care of myself seems not to be an option- my body won’t have any of it!

I hope you’re feeling better too Violet, I’m glad the yoga helped. I’m no yoga practitioner but did do some stretches yesterday too which did help my back.

Daphne I love the energy of your venture and what it represents for you, I think that’s what’s important and will be the momentum you build on fed with the necessary cultivated self belief that speakout so wisely describes.

speakout your snow sounds magical. The Calliach is not ready to leave just yet! I hope you can stay home and enjoy it

Wishing everyone some magic in their day

VioletCharlotte Hip problems here too, you have my sympathies.

Speakout I have very little self belief unfortunately. This stems back to an abusive childhood. This is why it is such a big thing for me and I feel very wobbly about it.

No snow here (southwest of England).

Daphnesmate04

That can be healed. It's hard but our past does not define us. X

Evening all! At the risk of sounding comically British, it's a bit nippy out there today isn't it!?

I'm having a funny old time at the moment, hence my slow replies. All my various ailments seem to be escalating - I've had daily backache since pregnancy (DD is now 1!) and have started getting migraines again and most lately I have started feeling really dizzy and faint, as if I'm going to pass out but I don't. It's all got the better of me today and I just had a big breakdown; it's so hard trying to muddle through the days when you're emotionally and physically spent.

The good news is, I summoned enough self worth to contact the GP and arrange for a blood test. They've fobbed me off a few times before ("all new parents are tired and get headaches" etc.), so it felt good to be taken seriously.

BlankTimes VioletCharlotte & speakout, thanks for all the ideas about enhancing living spaces. It's amazing what a difference some low lighting, diffused essential oils and a nice bit of music makes isn't it?

Spiritwriter I'm so sorry to hear what a troubling time you're going through and I'm pleased you found us again. Sending you love and light.

Daphnesmate04 amazing about your novel! And what a lovely complementary venture to go alongside it. I totally get what you mean about it being your venture. I work for myself, and I could never ever go back to a 9-5 job with a boss (well, if it could be avoided). Re: self belief - have you ever tried tapping meditations? I am very new to the concept, but very intrigued.

Elphame I hope it's a tad warmer when it comes time to replace your boiler - it's properly bitter out there at the moment. I make a point of getting outside every day, no matter the weather. I just didn't have it in me today!

VioletCharlotte glad to hear your hip is on the mend.

speakout 18 inches of snow is no joke! I hope you're staying snug and reveling in the snow magic.

Aerwyna so pleased you're feeling better, sleep is so often the tonic we need isn't it?

All warming thoughts gratefully accepted. The failing boiler can’t cope with the low temperatures out there and I’ve spent an unproductive day reading under the duvet despite it being on full blast. Dreading the gas bill!

I’ve just lit the coal fires

Keep warm Elphame. so good to have you here. I had a boiler replacement - moving floors- very unpleasant.
We are here for hot tea!!