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.

Hi, welcome.
I've not been here long, but say welcome too ☺
It is lovely to have someone to share ideas with.
I would say... Take your time. You don't need to know everything all at once. Because there is a lot.
I love tarot study, though I am pretty new myself. But one book I absolutely love is 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card. I think that's the title. Mary Greer, I think. She is great for approaching the tarot in a multitude of ways.
Just get to know your deck, too. Play with them. Draw them. Admire them. Get to know them and sit with a card through the day perhaps.
Housework.. Ha yes. It can become a drudge. Balance. All about balance. And adding some magical intentions sure help.
I am not wiccan or pagan. You don't need to be either to be a witch. Though perhaps you could say witchcraft is a branch of paganism. Though you can be pagan and not a witch.

Thank you for the welcome, I will indeed look through previous threads.

I thought the tarot thread was interesting. My upbringing was very religious, and my own mother would have reacted similarly, so I was interested to see what the general consensus was.

I saw a post that suggested simply drawing a tarot card from the deck and writing down any thoughts and feelings that come up, so I think I will try that.

Does anyone here analyse their dreams, or have seemingly significant dreams? I do. Sometimes of course they are just nonsense, but other times though I can see a clear relevance. For example I dreamed once about being in my new boyfriend's car, and he got out at traffic lights and the vehicle started rolling forwards. To me, a clear indication that I was concerned about losing control in my life.

Welcome Sonmi451

There is a lot of useful information in the earlier threads - and a warm welcome here as well as 🫖 ☕️.

When I was interested in Tarot I received some good advice here which was to look at the card again as a whole as well as at the smaller “components”. In a sense it’s also less about the academics of learning the “correct” meaning and more about what you feel / sense / intuit from a reading. For example I have pulled The Chariot on occasions and knew that I already felt that whirlwind of energy hurtling me along through life!

@Spiritwriter Yes I'm a hedgewitch. :) Most of my magical practice involves journeying on the other side of the hedge. I do very little if any spellwork now.

I also found that tarot thread interesting. I was rather surprised that the daughter got so much support tbh. Unless it was just AIBU wanting to put the boot in to the OP as is usually the case!

Hi Elphame, nice to meet you x I am wanting to hone my path. And hedgecraft is calling.
So it's good to meet you, and hear that, rather than the herbal emphasis as hedge craft.
I didn't see that thread. Currently, I am here and in the support for those who have lost a parent.
I should check out the other threads really.

@LunaHeather I'm single and childfree too - very much by choice and very much feeds into my witchery

@Sonmi451 glad you found us! After quite a few years I still use the books for some of my decks, but mostly spend some time looking at each card I've drawn and using intuition to see what it's telling me. It's one reason I love having lots of decks, though I have two clear favourites, because the different imagery often sparks different thoughts and reactions for me.

hilarious oh that's cool.

I realise we aren't going to meet many of us on MN 😂

I hope Mercury's change of direction brings some calm and easy energy today. The Moon, Saturn, Mercury and Jupiter are all happy bedfellows today, hopefully easing tensions and bringing harmony.
Yesterday was a day of challenges, unexpected events and demands no time for relaxation.
Hopefully I will have time for quiet today, although have to pick up some supplies and will be working- but at a pace I determine!
Saturday is a no cook day for me, I will be passing an M&S this morning, so may pop in there early to get some easy things for dinner.
Have a magical day sisters.

Wishing you a day of easy pace @Speakout
Hope you pick up something good.
I'm hoping for play and reading.
Yesterday was epic D and D. We still have the Overlord to beat... We may get that job done today.
Then... Peace and reading.
I've started new rows of knitting too, so will get to that as it relaxes me and my nerves have felt fraught over the last few days.
Elderberry syrup making is also necessary... Which I do like to make, but with the looming of home learning again in a couple of days time, I really want to make the most of any reading time.

Good morning sisters.

This week's been tough with various work and family related challenges. Mercury Retrograde has certainly been making itself known! I've woken up this morning feeling more peaceful and I believe I've come out the other side. Emotionally I'm rather battered and bruised, but I've taken some good learnings from the events of the past few days.

Today we have some much needed sunshine and milder weather. I've thrown open all the windows and I'm enjoying listening to the birds singing in the trees outside. I'm heading out for a long walk with a friend this afternoon and looking forward to some much needed female company.

Speakout sounds like you've been experiencing similar. Let's hope this is the end of it now for us both. I hope you enjoy your day. I love to think of you beavering away, weaving your magic 🌟

I've not been on here much this week so need to catch up on the thread, looking forward to reading all the posts.

Love to you all for a magical Saturday 🌸

VioletCharlotte sorry to hear of a bumpy week. Glad you have landed into a gentler weekend.
It is mild here to day too a little drizzle now, but I have all the windows open too, the room is filled with fresh air and birdsong.
Enjoy your walk.

A comforting planetary message speakout thank you. I hope today brings an easier ride for you, it sounds like yesterday was testing, not what you need when your energy levels need building up. Easy M&S tea sounds like a good idea and I hope there are the pockets of peace you need in your day.

Violet, it’s so good to see you, I’m sorry to hear this week has been so tough. Very pleased to hear you feel some peace today and I hope that things are calmer for you. A walk with a friend sounds like just the tonic, be gentle with yourself.

Sending love and comfort to my sisters.

Welcome Somni, wishing you well with your tarot journey. I agree, a card a day is a useful learning tool and a good way to build a relationship with your deck.

SpiritWriter and Elphame, I’m interested in your hedgewitch discussion. Journeying to other realms has been part of my practice for many years. I’ve used it mostly for insight, healing work and connection with deity/guides. Like spiritwriter it’s something I’d like to hone. I’d like to do more work there.

A grey and blustery day here, tasks to be done but I’ve given myself an easy morning which was welcome.

Wishing everyone a magical day

Thank you again everyone. I've made a start on the first of these threads, and am finding it calming and comforting reading.

I got out my tarot cards yesterday, and pulled out the eight of cups. Today's card was Justice. I'm seeking relationship guidance more than anything at the moment, and these both seem relevant.

We're on the brink of another lockdown here, just waiting for it to be announced really, and I think I'm going to struggle with it, in part because of the relationship issues, but other aspects too. Homeschooling has never appealed to me, and having tried it, I can say I have not changed my opinion!

Sonmi, I am wondering where you are but realise you might not want to say.

I will have to sit with guardians awhile this evening. There is something happening tomorrow for which I need luck, no way to prepare or influence outcome.

Like life, in some ways!

Irises flowering in balcony pot which helps the concrete factor.

I don't mind @LunaHeather - I'm on the Isle of Man. We've been so lucky really, we're in a very fortunate position of being able to act very quickly if we start seeing new cases, so we've been largely covid-free for the last few months. But we've had a cluster of new cases this last couple of days, so we're just watching and waiting.

Evening.

The first two months of this year certainly arrived with the predicted bang. I am likely to pop up with a new name and plant photos tomo i hope. Mn has been rather playing up recently I realised that with covid my mn name is making me heart sad.

For those who like dream interpretation how do you fair with waking visions/dreams which are just a crap ton of scary eyes of various colours, shapes and intensities? This is the vision that has been greeting me every time i lie down and close my eyes to sleep.

I need to get back to kitchen witchery. I have not had the energy or wish of late. Is it wrong to say I am looking forwards to the clocks going forwards? The smell of spring on the air so inviting and I am looking forwards to the lightness of day to go with.

Sonmi, fingers crossed it doesn't happen.

Hills, I don't think it's wrong to say that. Spring is my favourite of the seasons actually.

Usually I find winter a terrible battle, especially November and December. I take meds now which help. Also, London winters have not been so cold recently. Fewer days of trudging to the station in cold weather in the morning, when a night owl like me should still be asleep.

Sometimes I'd want to cry before I even arrived at work.

Hills i don't think there's anything wrong at all in looking forward to the lighter days. I try and live in the moment and appreciate each season, but this year I'm finding it hard. It just seems to have been an endless run of grey skies, rain and mud! Like you, I'm dreaming of when I'll be able to hop in the car and drive to the sea or out into the countryside. All the things we took for granted!

Your waking visions are interesting. I've experienced similar, normally when I'm exhausted or unwell, normally faces rather than eyes. My instinct tells me this is a message for you about needing to look deep inside yourself for the answers to your questions. I'll mull on it though, as I like dream interpretation.

Lunaheather I hope things work out for you with this situation. I will be thinking of you. I've been calling on my guides quite a bit recently, it's such a comfort to know they're with us isn't it?

Aerwyna thank you for your kind words. It was too wet in the end to get out for a walk yesterday unfortunately, so we're going to try again today. Like you, I'm interested in the discussions about journeying to other realms. This is something I've been doing for a long time and have really benefitted from, yet over the past months I've just not had the will. Like you, it's something I'd like to do more of.

Sonmi I'm so glad your tarot cards are helping you. I love tarot and before the lockdown I'd had just started reading for people at psychic fayres, etc. The lockdown here of course has put paid to all of that. It sounds like the Isle of Man has managed covid very well, so hopefully any lockdown will be short and sharp. I think I would have struggled with home schooling too!

@HillsBesideTheSea I don't claim to "know" anything about dream interpretation, but I do analyse my own, and friends' if they happen to tell me them, not that it comes up very often. I haven't had any waking visions. Your vision with the eyes though, makes me wonder if you're feeling that you're under scrutiny? Perhaps under pressure to perform? You've noticed that the eyes are different colours, maybe this relates to different aspects of your life, so career, family, any groups or societies you're involved with. This is just my initial thoughts, so if it makes no sense feel free to disregard.

@VioletCharlotte I'm not sure if the Tarot cards are helping, as such - more confirming what I already think, but am not brave or certain enough to do. Leaving a marriage is a big decision, especially when there are young children and no concrete reason other than my own unhappiness.

I'm really just starting to explore all this. Would anyone mind sharing what plans they have for the upcoming full moon? Any rituals that would be appropriate, either for guidance or just generally marking the occasion?

@Aerwyna happy to discuss. Glad to meet you 🙏 glad to be here. Fb is all memes which really don't do much for me. OK for a bit, but no real substance or learning or discussion.
Ah... Other people see dark visions when unwell? I have had this... And it feels like a very dark journey. The more it has happened though, the more at ease I have felt with it. I don't really know what it means. Or why it comes with illness.

Hello again. Time seems to have slipped by and the threads had moved on so much! But I’ve had a spare afternoon to sit with a coffee and read, which has been a rather nice way to spend a grey Sunday. Belated Imbolc blessings (although we’re now well on our way to the Equinox...)

@queenrollo I’m very sorry to read of your loss.

@AcornAutumn Have you ever read any of Glennie Kindred’s books? I love them, not just for the writing within them but for the books themselves; so beautifully designed. I picked up Letting In The Wild Edges at the Chalice Well in Glastonbury a while back, but Earth Wisdom is also a good place to start.

@hilariousnamehere I was looking at besoms in the feed merchants this morning. You can get them in horse tack shops but they will be rather more functional than decorative (but very useful for sweeping - I have one in my horsebox and it’s very useful for getting into the corners!)

@BlankTimes I love Oud and burn this a lot: pilgrimsfairtrade.com/shop/ols/products/the-mothers-india-fragrances-mini-sticks-oudh-the-mth-s-nd23

Wondering what paths you all follow. Sounds like lots of kitchen magic. Does anyone hedge witch?

I wouldn’t say I have a specific path; to me magic is a rather simple and practical thing. I tend to work a lot with candles and I’m drawn to the kitchen and garden aspects, so I guess a combination of kitchen and green witching. I’ve seen hedgewitch taken to mean a green witch/herbalist, or more of an astral travelling path where it’s the practise of ‘crossing/travelling the hedge’ between the worlds. I’ve never been drawn to the latter!

BrightYellowDaffodil

Good to see you.

I agree about paths- depends on the day of the week for me!!
I am not one to be defined by definition or convention.
Interesting to explore the idea of "hedgewitch". Etymololgy suggests many sources of the term. Certainly the liminal, the herb working, also a trem for those that work alone rather than a coven.
hawandthorn.wordpress.com/2017/07/20/undefining-the-hedge-witch/

I too have a sturdy besom, bought in a garden supply centre. I know there are some beautiful hand crafted besoms available, but I rather like my dig my feet in dirty broomstick. A huge robust practical thing it feels strong and solid, but I have lovingly pimped it with shells and feathers, hair, ribbons and hand tied billet doux scrolls. The idea of turning something mundane into something magical really appeals to me.

Evening all.

BrightYellowDaffodil thank you, it was definitely a shock but things have come to light which make us think that although it was sudden maybe for the person who died not so much unexpected. Certain arrangements had been made.

I have spent two hours in the garden this afternoon and I feel it was a gift delivered my the Goddess, right when I needed it. I have been very low of mood the last couple of weeks. Really finding this lockdown a strain.
A couple of hours outdoors with glorious birdsong and so many snowdrops and all the other bulbs showing promise. I feel energised, and hopefully will sleep well tonight.

@Speakout yes, I don't want to be defined or boxed in, but I wanted to focus myself. I don't know. Hard to explain, but just feel a little clearer rather than all over the place so to speak.
I do what I do. Which... Is actually what I've always done. As I look back, the themes or practices are clear! So, I'm comfortable with feeling this is my path. And then... Can let it go, I guess.
I had wanted to find some reading...had some looking about, felt most dissatisfied, then realised... I don't need to read anything to walk my path.
Of course... It is interesting to. So... Still will always be looking for and at books.
@Queenrollo, I am sorry, I couldn't find your post, but you have suffered a loss, and so I send my love. I know how painful grief is 😔 may you find more and more solace 🙏

@Spiritwriter

Three losses since November. Two of them 'expected' as they both had life limiting conditions. One of those was the first sibling loss for one of my parents, and in really quite difficult circumstances. Then the same parent lost this second sibling quite suddenly. I was close to this Uncle, so it has been an emotional time for us all. I think I have found it most difficult not being able to go and comfort my parent (they are both shielding)

An early night beckons for me.