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.

@ HillsBesideTheSea I meant is the radical acceptance a form of shadow work and I think it is, as it’s born from a place of misery/hopelessness/self-flagellation. The natal chart stuff is fascinating, but beyond my comprehension, or at least capacity, at the moment. Quiche sounds lovely! As does midnight astrology learning as a antidote to insomnia.

@Aerwyna I cannot tell you how much I love that quote. It really resonates with me. Gorgeous picture, love the Robin carpark encounter too. Magic is everywhere if you’re paying attention isn’t it? I will try and remember to light a 8pm candle, it’s a lovely idea.

@speakout wise words as ever! I realise more and more my knuckles are white with holding on and trying to control everything. It’s not a good energetic place from which to operate and affect meaningful change. It’s hard though, I feel somewhat numb just ‘accepting’ things. I think I’ve got to a point where I don’t see an alternative though, and I know (hope) things will change. So until then it’s the only way I can see myself through as mentally unscathed as possible. It must’ve been hard cutting down your rosemary bush, but in my limited experience they are resilient things. Your garden updates all sound lovely!

I loved the poem. Very true. I think something in it would resonate with every woman I know. X

I have woken to a chorus of birdsong this morning, magpies, crows, wood pigeons, distant seagulls, tits, blackbirds, chaffinch, wren. As I drink my morning coffee I have been listing to the calls and trying to identify each separate bird. Quite an exercise in mindfulness- I think that may count as my meditation today!
Like the ravens "Aerwyna" saw by the river, I often feel that birds are " in the know" and if we listen we can hear their message too, whispering secrets in the wind.
Elemental air energy is a powerful tool to change, to move stale corners, to uplift, cleanse and move direction.
Air can move water, extinguish fire, blow earth, yet can carry the gentle reassuring words of the goddess on a gentle breeze.

Magical murmurations!

moregarlic

I understand.
But gripping on with white knuckles won't help if the cart flies off the roller coaster- and the chances are that it won't anyway.

It is fear. One of the two main motivators in our lives. Often it is fear of something that hasn't actually happened or may never happen.
Letting go of fear isnt easy, but if we can learn to let go in small stages we can start to claim a calmer life.
Relax those sticky fists, just for a few moments to begin with to give yourself some respite, then more, until we have big chunks when we feel safe to let go. Those moments will nourish and sustain you.

This is a short video that helps when my fear subsumes me.

@speakout how wonderful! I wouldn’t even know where to begin. Other than seagulls, and as I live on the coast they often reign supreme. I know what you mean about birds though, they are both of this place and not. There’s something very ethereal and otherworldly about them.

I’m loving all the talk about elements. How do you all engage with them? Do you engage with them all?

My rising and sun signs are Taurus which is earth. I’ve always felt that a little misleading as from my shallow reading on the matter, Taurus’ sound like shallow materialistic creatures and that is not me at all. BUT I am very attracted to pleasant environments, creating ambiance in my home and high quality things rather than things for the sake of it.

My moon is Scorpio which is a water sign which makes much more immediate sense: I have always felt at home in the water and often wished as a child I were a mermaid. My old swimming teacher described me as part fish! Even now I love being in or near water, though with age I have become much more wary of the sea. I used to be fearless (or perhaps foolish).

@speakout a cross post! Thanks for your message on fear, you’re right. I am going through a phase where I’m very fearful of what the future holds (it’s not even fear for myself, more than anything I’m worried about my daughter and the next generation). It’s not serving me though, I know that deep down. And your point about it being pointless even if the cart comes off is so powerful. I hadn’t framed it like that. Thank you. I’ll watch the video x

A beautiful video. I’m not crying. Not at all. ❤️

Hi yes pagan mother/maiden/enchantress here 👋🏻 I'm an expert in Ogham and due to be published

I never feel like Taurus is shallow. Pig headed and in love of koselig maybe. Materialistic is how a lot of the popular memes/summaries like to portray but I think that is unfair. Koselig can not be under-valved imo.

My sun is also Taurus. And I can very much relate to this " I am very attracted to pleasant environments, creating ambiance in my home and high quality things rather than things for the sake of it."

Sorry Garlic I realised later that i had run paragraphs together and misunderstood but was trying to avoid posting whilst in the grip of pain grump. Speakout always has wise words. I am trying to be more wise and post more mindfully.

Shadow-work yesterday made me realise I am still mourning the life that Chronic illness took from me. And that kinda hit me like a brick. I never realised I was still mourning it nor that this mourning was still affecting my mood. I was under the delusion that I had accepted the fact and was moving on in the new reality. I am wondering if the feeling of loss will be like others and periodically it is just going to hit me like a wave for a bit, else it could just be that I am in a grip of a flare and that I am fearful of a return to the situation that was so bad when diagnosis occurred having managed to find a level where function was possible mostly. I am thinking I need to go back to lurking and give myself a timeout for a while.

Ah yes perhaps you might need to know what Koselig is. There is no real english translation. It is a little like Hugge but different.

Slurped from the internet:
"Koselig is a concept which is deeply rooted in our Norwegian culture. I would describe it as the feeling of coziness and being comfortable, but it often involves being in a social setting with others rather than being alone. It is about being content and creating a pleasant environment. it is about intimacy and warmth."

(Thanks google)

littleredberries

A warm welcome. Plenty tea in the pot, make yourself comfy.
Your work sounds fascinating.

Thank you for sharing that poem speakout, so powerful and pertinent to the discussions we were having earlier in the week.
..but they could not break
your phoenix spirit
its fierce heat.. really stood out to me and I’ll be taking that glorious fire energy with me throughout my day.

I love hearing of your birdcall interactive meditation this morning, I think it’s a beautiful example of engaging with air energy.

moregarlic I love your description of birds being both ‘of this place and not’ it’s no wonder they often play the part of messengers in folklore and legend is it?

I love the talk of elements and birth charts too. Like Hills, my moon and rising sign are the same (Libra) and in many ways I resonate more with this energy than my sun sign (Gemini) very airy and I was reflecting last night as I sat outside in the dark, comforted by the breeze on how much like home this element feels to me. There is no earth in my chart at all and only one water planet. grounding is something I’ve had to learn. I love earth energy in others and have never found Taurus energy to be shallow. Taurus people I have known have been warm and connective and I love the sensuality of this energy.

Thank you for sharing both the concept of Koselig and the video on elemental traits Hills, I love learning new words and am always interested in perspectives on how we embody the elements.

As far as engaging with the elements is concerned, right now my practices are probably quite simple and meditative, like speakout and her birdcall focus. Being near the water ,breathing and embracing it’s soothing properties, respecting it’s power. Like Hills I’ve always also loved the rain. Earthing with bare feet on the ground, or getting my hands in the earth. Lighting a candle or building a fire, positioning myself in sun light as it streams through a window and focusing on the warmth and energy of this. Feeling the wind in my hair, watching the birds, burning incense and so on. Always there of course but more nourishing and balancing when I take the time to purposefully interact.

littleredberries welcome! I’m glad you’ve found us and look forward to hearing more about your path, which I also think sounds fascinating.

@LunaHeather this book popped up today on my library audiobook app and I immediately thought of what you said about being drawn to the Thames, particularly the parts with steps down to the water. I thought it sounded fascinating and it reminded me of the conversation we had here a while ago about the genius loci in cities. I thought you might find it interesting too

www.waterstones.com/book/mudlarking/lara-maiklem/9781408889237

Wishing everyone a magical afternoon

Welcome @littleredberries Is your publication about Ogham? If so I would be very interested. My husband bought me a beautiful set of staves a few years ago now and I dip in and out of them but have never really immersed myself.

Very mixed weather here today - like the Crowded House song. Four seasons in one day! I just managed to get the bed linen off the washing line before it got soaked again!

Just been playing with my Everyday Witch Tarot which is so accurate I’m loving it. Two of my DDs keep asking for readings too. My eldest DD who is almost 17 has on her own developed a keen interest in astrology and is now asking about crystals, tonight at dinner I was telling everyone about Ostara and she said she found that really interesting too. I don’t think DH is too happy as the eldest too have really turned away from their RC upbringing now (but that’s another thread)

I’m such a contradiction on the natal chart Sun is in Leo and I do have very fire my Leo traits but my Moon is in Aquarius and I also have those traits.

sweetkitty glad you are enjoying the Everyday Witch Tarot- its a beautiful deck isn't it.
I can imagine hw you feel about your DD taking up these interests.
I have been very careful to shield my children from my craft- as much as I can as I have so much paraphenalia lying about, but never imposed my beliefs, nor do they know of my spellwork for instance.
My DD- 20- has an acute instinctive ability to read Tarot, and will sometimes borrow my deck to read for friends.
Venus has some harmonious aspects today, which should help oil relationships and bring comfort and calm.

I will light a candle at 8am to send calm energy to my sisters here too.

Just wanted to say thank you to whomever recommended those dion fortune books. I've finished physic self defence and about to start training of an initiate. I'm going to buy the mystical qabalah next. I'm really enjoying them

Thank you for that wonderful 8am energy speakout. I will join you in conjuring calm throughout the day, tapping into that lovely harmonious Venus energy you mention.

I love hearing how much both sweetkitty and Beautiful are getting out of the cards and books. Such a great feeling to find something that aligns so well with our spirits isn’t it, I love the passion it generates.

Another bright day here today, I am enjoying the energy of the approach to equinox and feel it may soon be time to get my ‘on ice’ magic out and release it. Spring brings a sense of possibility that tastes good.

Wishing everyone some magic in their day

Hello. I am not a witch but interested in some aspects and in developing some new perspectives in life. I wonder if some of those here can help me? I have read the thread with interest (although have not understood all of it) and ordered the Everyday Witch tarot cards, which have now arrived. I am interested in exploring something different in my practice of mindfulness and this seemed like something interesting to try. I am not going to start even trying readings until I have read the whole book carefully and been through all the cards a few times. I like the idea of leaving the cards in full moonlight before using them, which I will try to do when the moon is next full.

My question now is (as she does not specify in the book) is there are best way to lay out the cards for a reading, as a beginner?

I don't worry about that and often just try to do a one card spread. I find that the Everyday Witch tarot cards are easier to connect with but they be a little lively and my 1 card draw might end up being several cards. I just lay them in the order that they come out.
A three card draw I line them up side by side, my annual draw was a clock face with one in the middle. Iyswim?

I read fairly intuitively but do rely on the book, however try looking at each card and seeing what it says to you BEFORE you study the book. It is always good to know what the cards say to you. You can then compare it with the book later and see how what you feel lines up. It is an interesting exercise.

Actually that is rather bossy of me. Sorry. You can do the what does the card thing feel to me after you read the book. No one to say you can't. I find a note book where i can look at the cards, and analyse the information from them helpful. others might not.

emilysquest

A warm welcome- I am glad you have joined us.
Many of us are not witches on this thread- so you are in good company.
HillsBesideTheSea gives some good advice- there are some simple spreads at the back of the Everday witch handbook, but how to approach learning Tarot is a very prersonal thing.
We all have different learning styles, different approaches, don't worry about learning the "wrong" way. There is no wrong way.
I am a dive in head first type of person, but I know others may prefer a more methodical approach.

Do what feels right- that will be the "right" way for you.

Thanks for the welcome. Not bossy! very helpful. I see the stuff at the back of the handbook now, I had not read that far...

I have in fact been just looking through the cards before reading the book, I will try to get to "know" them a bit before I even try to remember what the book says about the meanings...some of them say more to me than others, I think I might make some notes...

Do people use crystals and/or oils when they are doing readings? I have just ordered myself some sandalwood and lavender oils as that is just what I feel like right now (have had a rather stressful time with a recent injury which landed me in hospital and has impacted my work, meaning I am behind in things I need to do, so need to carve out a bit of calm in my life).

SOme people do, some people don't. Again it is about what feels right to you

emilysquest

HillsBesidethesea speaks wise words.
There are no rules.
If that feels good then it is right for you.
Sounds like a wonderful idea to use crystals and oils.
Some like to read at an altar, light a candle, meditate before, burn some incense.
I have a morning ritual which includes coffee, oils, spa shower, incense, yoga, Tarot, foot massage, candle.

No matter how busy I am - totally essential!!