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.

I hope everyone is winding down this Friday afternoon.
Weekends for many of us are not so meaningful these days, especially as socialising or events are non existent. I usually work too, but still feel that collective release that a weekend brings.
Permission to sleep later or get a take away for dinner, to let some housework slide.
I still get that Friday Crackerjack feeling!
Have spent a pleasant day making rose candles, a little shopping, and too much time slipping down some wormholes reading about Brownies- or house elves. Although mostly male, some are female such as the Meg Mullach - a highland brownie.
Brownies are found the world over, in many cultures, and references to them date back thousands of years. One brownie named Dobie is an ancient Scottish elf- no doubt the the inspiration for KJ Rowling!
This is a good introduction- with some lovely images.
I hope everyone is winding down this Friday afternoon.
Weekends for many of us are not so meaningful these days, especially as socialising or events are non existent. I usually work too, but still feel that collective release that a weekend brings.
Permission to sleep later or get a take away for dinner, to let some housework slide.
I still get that Friday Crackerjack feeling!
Have spent a pleasant day making rose candles, a little shopping, and too much time slipping down some wormholes reading about Brownies- or house elves. Although mostly male, some are female such as the Meg Mullach - a highland brownie.
Brownies are found the world over, in many cultures, and references to them date back thousands of years. One brownie named Dobie is an ancient Scottish elf- no doubt the the inspiration for KJ Rowling!
This is a good introduction- with some lovely images.
I hope everyone is winding down this Friday afternoon.
Weekends for many of us are not so meaningful these days, especially as socialising or events are non existent. I usually work too, but still feel that collective release that a weekend brings.
Permission to sleep later or get a take away for dinner, to let some housework slide.
I still get that Friday Crackerjack feeling!
Have spent a pleasant day making rose candles, a little shopping, and too much time slipping down some wormholes reading about Brownies- or house elves. Although mostly male, some are female such as the Meg Mullach - a highland brownie.
Brownies are found the world over, in many cultures, and references to them date back thousands of years. One brownie named Dobie is an ancient Scottish elf- no doubt the the inspiration for KJ Rowling!
This is a good introduction- with some lovely images.

Just thought I would share some Fae this afternoon!

speakout

but still feel that collective release that a weekend brings.
Permission to sleep later or get a take away for dinner, to let some housework slide.

Yes!! Me too. Friday’s energy is my favourite, even when there’s still work to be done over the weekend. I agree , the collective consciousness is brighter at the cusp of the weekend.

Your house must smell wonderful, full of your rose magic. The perfect pre-cursor to your goddess spa evening.

I love the fae energy for a Friday too- thank you!

I’ve enjoyed a few minutes out in the garden spotting bulbs shooting through, the odd daffodil wanting to flower already. There was a fire on the moors last night, the glow could be seen for miles, I hope it hasn’t done too much damage.

A bit more work to shift then a simple meal that doesn’t involve too much preparation, I’ve been watching a programme about artic foxes and other wildlife living in cold, wild conditions, so I look forward to finishing that off later.

Wishing everyone a relaxing evening

Woops!! Sorry I didn't realise I had double posted there- hope it makes sense! Mercury retrograde is my excuse!

It’s the tech Fae again speakout! Still makes perfect sense to me

Aerwyna

Thank you !!

I'm enjoying the descriptions of marmalade making and rose scented candles. Your houses must all smell divine. I'm burning a sweet vanilla candle tonight, which smells delicious and always makes me think of cake!

Yes to that Friday night 'schools out' feeling! The weekends always fly by, but this evening the weekend seems to stretch out ahead of us. Although weekends aren't the same as they used to be, it's still a nice feeling to be able to switch off work for a little while.

Thank you for the fae images Speakout they remind me of the books I used to love as a child. I hope you're enjoying your goddess spa evening, you deserve some pampering.

Aerwyna your programme about the arctic foxes sounds great. Foxes are such magical creatures aren't they? One of DS friends send him a video last night of three foxes in the bushes opposite where they live, I was rather envious! I'd love to live somewhere with more wildlife.

SweetKitty hope you're nicer and warm indoors tonight. Take it easy this weekend and get plenty of rest. A number of my NHS colleagues have had the vaccine, feeling tired is a pretty common side effect, but it usually only lasts a couple of days.

Hope you all have a peaceful evening.

VioletCharlotte
Your vanilla candle sounds very warming.
I hope things are peaceful in your place in the wood.
I go through phases with tea- part of the fun- currently Vanilla and honey, a simple brand by Twinings.
Sometimes just a few mint leaves or lemon in a cup.

Good morning magical sisters.
I had a home spa night last night, and slept so well.
Hopefully the last of the Siberian weather today, the dawn light was so beautiful this morning, it warmed my heart.
I will light a candle at 8am this morning to send calm energy and blessings for the friendship on this thread.

What a beautiful sky speakout! Thank you for the wonderful 8am energy, I joined you with one of your divine rose candles and gratitude for the connection and support we have here.

Violet how lovely to see that video, I love fox energy too- resilient, flexible and graceful, otherworldly somehow. This is the programme I was watching with the artic foxes, the cubs are divine! Lots of other impressive creatures too, a pod of orcas off Shetland was wonderful to see too

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m000q1kd/stormborn

A slow start here this morning, savouring the feeling of the weekend. Wishing everyone a calm and happy day

Another fox fan here!
A good friend of mine is Japanese ( and a witch) and we often talk of foxes. Foxes ( kitsune) are revered in Japan, said to be the living form of the goddess, lots of folk tales and mythology.
Foxes have the intellect and insight which makes for a good energy in starting new projects. There are lots of fox temples- it's so sad they are seen as vermin in the UK.

Had an unexpected gift today from my dear niece- a monster piece of Rose quartz. She lives abroad and visited the mine, watched some pieces being processed. She is aware of the ethical issues surrounding crystal mining, but this small mine prides itself on being an ethical producer.
It feels amazing.

speakout wow! what a beautiful stone! Such an uplifting energy and wonder to receive such a gorgeous surprise gift.

Love the fox insight too, I really enjoy hearing folklore and traditions from different cultures. Interesting that they are seen as an embodiment of the goddess, makes a lot of sense to me.

I know I’ve asked before and I don’t know how I’ve lost it again (!) but I’ve been trying to find a piece of music you shared on an early thread speakout, gutsy folk music, all female, upbeat, possibly Eastern European? I don’t know if that makes sense... I really should make a playlist!

Aerwyna could it be this?

Yes!! Brilliant, thank you!!

Lovely stone speakout and so nice to know where it comes from. I've just had a couple of pieces of Blue John arrive - I love that stone and have some earrings but I want to make a pendant to do with them.

Glad to see I'm not the only marmalade maker here!

Fascinating to know that about foxes. When we visited Nepal a few years ago we were granted an audience with the Kumari Devi ( one of the child Living Goddesses). In reality she waved from an upstairs window and said a few words of blessing! She also looked incredibly bored with her Goddess duties which she carries out a couple of times a day.

Yes, I imagine goddess duties are very dull for a child Elphame!

Blue John looks like a beautiful stone too, I’d love to see a picture of your pendant when it’s done.

I was drawn to this for the fox in the picture since we were talking about them.

I think it can feel trite and insensitive to say to someone having an awful time of it that ‘it was meant to be’ in some way but I do agree that we can experience growth from painful experiences. I like the part in this post about tending to our seeds, our lives as the soil we tend. And I just love that warrior woman/fox picture

I was thinking of you all this morning as I witnessed the glorious pink sky, and I see that speakout has captured it in a lovely photograph.

I thought some of you may be interested in this. Dior has based its Spring/ Summer 2021 haute couture collection on the major arcana. If you scroll to about 10 minutes in you can see each of the costumes.

Lalavande that video is mesmerisingly. They've captured the essence of each of the major Arcana beautifully. Thank you so much for sharing.

Aerwyna thank you for sharing the link to the programme about arctic foxes, I look forward to watching that. Thank you too for the wonderful fox/ warrior picture and the post wise words.

I didn't realise foxes were so highly respected in Japan. Very interesting, especially as they are seem as vermin here, apart from by those of us who see them as magical creature...so maybe we are right

Speakout what a spectacular sunrise, absolutely stunning. I'm so glad you enjoyed your goddess spa. That rose quartz is fabulous, what a wonderful gift to receive from your niece.

I'm struggling a bit with low energy today. My hip is still sore so I'm not enjoying my dog walks as much as usual (especially as it's so cold!) I'm seeing a chiropractor next week so hope she'll be able to relieve it.

Elphame

I love Blue John Stone too- I have fond memories of visiting caverns and workshops as a child.
Hopefully there will be a shift towards more ethical crystal production.
I visited Sri Lanka some years ago, the ground is full of sapphires.
Many families have a small makeshift mine in their land, small family business , hundreds of little backyard enterprises, no need to dig deep,little cleaning and polishing shops. I bought a few stones, but I could see with my eyes how these sapphires were being produced. No bad chemicals, no exploitation,.
I do hope we take stock of good practice.
VioletCharlotte I am sorry to hear your hip is still sore. Sending healing with a candle for you at 8pm.

Sorry loves, unexpectedly busy few days - have spent today with candles and my journal, trying to wind down a little bit. Does anyone else feel like a coiled spring but without the resulting energy?

Still iced in - the snow is starting to go but I daren't let the cats out yet - and I slip every time I go out of the back door!

@BlankTimes thank you! I think I was confusing tagging and bolding - that has helped muchly.

@speakout your photos lift my spirits, they're magical and so beautiful. And thank you for your kind words - yes, mostly from home. I have a little photo studio in a big building full of artists about fifteen minutes' drive away - sadly closed due to covid - and the chocolate has its own little unit, although I don't spend as much time there as I'd like to at the moment. It is full on but it makes my heart happy - and is what I've chosen instead of a partner & children. I wouldn't change it for the world although occasionally I need to step off the merry-go-round for a day or two :D

@Elphame any sign of your heating being fixed yet? I have continued to send warm thoughts. I ADORE your ring, they're my favourite type of jewellery and making your own is the best feeling. I did an introductory silversmithing course at the end of 2019 and the ring & hare necklace I made are among my most treasured possessions. So exciting - I hope it's all polished up and being worn now!

@Aerwyna yes, definitely some synchronicity! Ooh, can you tell us about your new direction yet? (no pressure, I just love hearing people's stories).

@Daphnesmate04 that sounds lovely - it's a busy market but I think there's always room if you find your niche. There's an amazing number of people who still really value letter writing, notelets, real post - so I think that has legs! I'm totally with you on resisting the office environment, shout if you ever want to chat.

Tech Fae is at it again 😂 froze my page halfway through replying!

@violetcharlotte I mainly eat them 😂 making is done by husband and wife team of my uncle and aunt, I do photos/website/marketing/social media, other uncle does wholesale and it's actually a lot of fun. I have learned to make it but it takes more patience and precision than I have

Loving the foxes & kitsune, don't know if any of you follow Susannah Conway but she has one which visits her garden and has made friends with her cat, it's wonderful to see.

Thank you for the morning energy - I shall add my late night blessings and thankfulness for having found such a wonderful group of women quite by chance!

I'm sorry if I've missed replying to anyone, neither my phone nor my laptop is playing ball this evening. I'm going to attempt to watch the Dior video :)

hilariousnamehere

I love hearing of your endeavours. I have been self employed for 18 years.
I always thought that self employment was for other people. On my second venture now, but I have two or three unrelated business ideas that I am sure would work always up my sleeve.
I am glad to hear you have others to share your workload. I am constantly having to juggle demands of work and family life. It is so hard. I am a mother and a carer, I have no extended family in this country, no siblings, only one elderly parent that needs care and can’t help.
I watch videos of Jonna Jinton, she has achieved so much, but sometimes I feel so wistful. Her mother is a jewellery designer and manages her web site, her husband works for her, her father and uncle help, her brother is an accountant.
I often feel very lonely in my enterprise. My OH has a very full on job in his field and does what he can on the domestic front, but works long hours and if often away. It can be very frustrating. I always have new ideas and projects in my mind, but they usually don’t come to fruition as there are not enough hours in the day.
But it is a good lesson to be grateful with what I do have and what I can achieve.
Limitation is part of life, and can come in many forms. Learning to accept that is an opportunity for growth.

speakout if you want company, I'd be glad to sit with you.

You have all done a lot for me while I've lurked. I was lonely before I came here.

Lalavande thank you for that. I don't suppose Dior will have any catalogues 😂 a pity as some of those are very frameworthy!

LunaHeather

Thank you for your offer of companionship. It is gratefully received.
Mostly my house is too full of people, and I so value my time alone, but having a small solo business enterprise can be lonely. In terms of deciding strategies, business decisions, strategies, I have no one to sit down and chew ideas with.
My close family is supportive, and my DD is a firecracker in terms of motivating me and consolidating my self belief.
On the plus side I have total control with no compromise!!