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 not posted for a while been dealing with a very challenging situation which is now resolved. It does now mean a new beginning and am looking for new rituals to support this. I have kept doing my 8pm candles
Also wondering does anyone have any rituals to mark the passing of someone, it was very peaceful at a grand age so whilst very sad I want to also do something that shows gratitude for a long and happy life . I’ve bought a bunch of their favourite flowers as a start

Good morning all. Speakout - i am also not a fan of high, ceremonial magic, though understand for some it provides a structure... in understanding what clicks for us and from our own observations, we can find our own ritual - and everyday, small actions can be magic - bringing a hagstone home from the seaside, burning incense for cleansing, opening a candle to focus intentions...
Regarding banishing, some part of me agrees that what will be will be, and if there is a lesson to be learned what is banished may come back. But couldnt this be said for any spell? If, instead of a sickness banishing spell, i make a protection spell, but it needs to happen for me to learn a lesson, it will still do...As spiritualists we try to exert a bit of a 'nudge' in a direction we feel is right for us. (And if our everyday intentions and small actions can create that nudging energy, isnt it impossible not to nudge anyway?) i guess what i am trying to say is there are lots of shades of grey in magic and i love that because that is so natural...

Speakout I signed up to the Adrienne 30 Days and then saw with dismay that the first one is far too long for me to be able to fit in without constant interuptions at home. It left me a bit deflated as I feel that doing it 'behind' the schedule is what has seen me falter and give up before. I'm certain I won't be the only person daunted and put off by the length.

queenrollo

My heart sank for thhe same reason.
I don't want to derail, and turn this into a yoga thread- but it is part of my spiritual practice- I often use yoga alongside Tarot too.

If you like Adriend I would encourage you to have a look at her playlist- she has lots of 10/15/20 minute practices too.
And remember the 30 day programme doesn't have to be completed in 30 days, you can take it over a few months.
If tomorrows practice is similarly lonng I may possibly jump to someone like Boho Beautiful, her videos are shorter.
I personally like to work very hard and short- I can't afford an hour every morning.

I am going to be honest that the yoga stuff doesn't work for me but Lottie Murphy did 24 short videos of pilates in the lead up to christmas and I am going to try to do these this month, after I have given myself the space to recover from the harm i did myself not pacing in the lead up to Christmas.

Thank you very much for the Rope ladder BlankTimes I managed to get a few levels down the tree. Still feeling battered and bruised but to be expected considering. I did not take time for my wellness in the run up to Christmas so I am now being forced to take some time for my sickness.

I threw the windows open this morning and aired out the house. It felt good, but honestly I wish i could head out for another long walk. Although at the same time i just want to curl up and sleep /relax with a good book.

speakout thank you so much for sharing your intuitions and wonderful stone scrying- I got shivers reading them! The obvious female form was what struck me too. The stone does feel earthy and indeed full of female power- a goddess gift. I’m going to meditate on what you could see in it to help me with my completion work. I find animal medicine a powerful energy to work with and will take guidance from those you saw.

Priddypuddycat I like your idea of using favourite flowers to honour a loved one who has recently left this plain. I think if it were me I might use them as a starting point for a little altar to honour them, perhaps alongside some other items that symbolise characteristics of their long and happy life. I also like planting things in memory of loved ones, with special stones or items in the ground/pot. I like the idea that their essence lives on and grows into something new.

kedybuttons I agree with your thoughts on the shades of grey and tend to be lead by my intuition. My gut tends to guide me and I’ve learned to trust it more over the years. I agree it’s almost impossible not to nudge anyway, it’s all part of the path I think.

I hope you manage a few more rungs today Hills and are able rest into the recovery time you need.

Thank you everyone for the recommendations on Pilates/ yoga. I haven’t managed much in terms of physical practice of late except my walks by the river/sea. I’m banking your ideas for a hopefully more focused time ahead

I feel the same about the Yoga with Adrienne. I was hoping for 20 minute sessions I could do in the morning before work, alongside my normal classes twice a week (which will be held on Zoom). I'll see how it goes, but if I decide it's not for me then that's ok.

Aerwyna thank you for sharing your sea energy. Such beautiful images, and that hagstone is incredible! I agree about the feminine energy. The first thing I saw when I looked at it was an owl, then the head of a bird of prey.

Hills thank you for the Pilates recommendation. I've not done Pilates for a while, but I used to go to classes a few years ago. Maybe this could be an alternative to the 30 day yoga. Sorry you're still feeling unwell, please make sure to get the rest you need.

Priddypuddycat so sorry for your loss. I love the idea of marking the passing. The flowers are a lovely idea. Did this person like to cook or bake? My Nan used to bake a particular cake. I like to use her recipe sometimes, it always makes me feel close to her. A friend of mine made a cushion cover from patches of her Mum's clothes, she said she felt it really comforting to hug the cushion.

Priddypuddycat very sorry for your loss... With my grandmother I cook a dessert she liked, and light a candle near a photo of us together.you can put a message under the candle too. I also wear the pearls she gave me on special occasions, and remember her those days when she'd have been with us...

Thought I would share this lovely video about the crone, the Cailleach

@speakout I loved that video - I'd never heard of Cailleach before. Her one eye makes me wonder if she ever influenced Woden's myth of his one eye...because goddesses seem much older don't they?

@Aerwyna I haven't had time to catch up with everyone's posts, so I was happy to catch yours and I find it's sooo exciting you found a hag's stone!!!

Delphinium20 I think others have made that connection too- have a look here.
owlskin.wordpress.com/2016/08/22/the-cailleach-and-odin/

A bitterly cold morning here again, more snow overnight. Not a sound outside. I am up early for yoga practice- Adriene is again a longish one, so have decided to jump ship!
I see Sarah Beth Yoga has started a new 10 minute you tube workshop for complete beginners- a great teacher, and 10 minutes is a good achievable time. www.youtube.com/user/SarahBethShow

A day of work ahead, preparing for a strange week. Times are set to be very uncertain for many of us, holding on to our core is more important than ever.
I will set an intention of warrior energy with my 8am candle.

Wishig my sisters a magical day ahead.

I loved that Cailleach video speakout, also the article, thank you for sharing them. Warrior energy also very much appreciated, I’ll join you in embodying this as we move through the week.

Thank you Violet for your hagstone insight and Delphinium20 for sharing my excitement at finding it! It all adds power and energy of the work I’m doing with it. I love the sisterhood here 🙏

Wishing everyone a magical day 💫

Thank you all for the birthday wishes - I'm not getting the email notifications from Mumsnet any more so I'm always way behind.

I've never been bendy enough for yoga myself but I do walk 5 miles or more every day which is my meditation and planning time. I was never any good at the sit and empty your mind type - I find my mind calms much better if my body is active and the active brain is monitoring what is going on. The more creative right brain can then come to the fore more easily. I don't do a lot (if any) spellwork any more in this plane. Mostly I'm on the astral.

Elphame walking is my meditation/ thinking time as well. I find it so much easier to switch off. I walk everyday with my dog.

Speakout thank you for the video.
I've also jumped ship with the yoga. Ive started the Lottie Parker Pilates that Hills recommended. I did a class yesterday and today (my abs are feeling it!) I do a lot of yoga so it's nice to change things up a bit. Thanks Hills for the suggestion

Thank you too for the warrior energy Speakout. I'll join you and hold that intention. I agree the weeks ahead are going to be challenging. I'm so grateful for this thread and for all your supportive energy and strength.

@speakout Thanks for the yoga suggestions!

I also like to highlight Sarah Starr as she has some great chair yoga (also more challenging) for people who are tentative starting yoga, simply out of shape (guilty due to COVID) or recovering from illness.

www.youtube.com/channel/UCRByYnqX7QUmWykLhUvAz0w

Just checking in with a reminder of the strength of the warrior energy we’re collectively generating. We may feel battle weary but the energy is powerful. Thank you speakout for reminding us of this, we can support each other through difficult times.

Elphame, your words
“ I find my mind calms much better if my body is active and the active brain is monitoring what is going on “

really spoke to me; pertinent and perfectly timed, thank you. I’m also very interested in your work on the astral plain. I do a kind of journeying work sometimes which I find can be powerful-it’s pretty ad hoc! I’d like to explore this more.

I have a candle lit as I work today, with the aim of offering support and connection where it is needed.

Thankyou Aerwyna tat energy is gratefully accepted.

Ah Aerwyna thank you very much. It has felt like there was an invisible force that had my back today at times and it was greatly appreciated. I was curious as to the source. But your kindness explains it.

The big world picture is looking challenging so i decided to get the important in the world errands done so that should things actually go where they look they might I would have peace of mind that those things were taken care of. Little things like dropping of prescriptions and going to the pharmacy etc. It means i can hermit without having to worry about that.

I need to get a candle going here, and then i am going to indulge in some kitchen witchery and bread making. I am slowly climbing a little down from the tree each day, but it is a slow journey down.

Delphinium I like the idea of chair yoga. Might have to investigate that and see if it will circumvent the over stretching thing. Thank you for the recommendation.

Elphame another one who likes their bodies busy and their mind preoccupied with the mundane to sort through some stuff. Probably why i like to make important decisions whilst i drive. The subconcious can just get on with it.

So glad you felt it Hills, our collective energy is powerful!

Hope everyone’s doing ok this evening with whatever the implications of the latest lockdowns are for you. Go gently sisters, these are strange times but our energy is strong together

Thank you Aerwyna for the warrior energy. I feel we all need that today. A reminder of how strong we are and how far we've come...we'll get there!

I've also had a candle burning today while I've been working. A reminder of the connection with my sisters on this thread, and a little light during these dark days.

Hills glad you're feeling a little better. Like you, I find driving is a good time to think and make decisions. Although, I'm not keen to return to doing the long commute to work, I do sometimes miss having that time in the car just to think things out.

Sending love to you all during these uncertain times.

Really demoralised with the new lockdown. I had some retraining plans for a new income stream as there is no sign of me being able to re-open the business and no word of any more support from the Welsh Govt.

Oh well - it's out of my hands. There is nothing I can do about it.

Pass the gin please someone

x

Elphame sorry to hear things are so tough- your plans have been dashed, that must feel very frustrating.
Having situations that are outwith our control are so difficult.

I struggle with that one. I am a fixer, a person who likes to steer, and if something is not right in my life or I want a change I have endless energy to make that happen.
But not everything is under our control, and in your situation you thought it was and now it isn't.
No surprise to hear you are feeling demoralised.
DD came to say a goodbye yesterday.
She starts another placement at the hospital today, and we won't see her for a few weeks. My elderly mother lives with me and my DD is in a high virus risk environment, and does not want to bring the virus back to us.
The whole situation is very testing for so many people, for so many reasons.

I plan a walk in the forest today to gain some insight and clarity.

I will light a candle at 8am to send soft and light energy.

Thank you for the soft, light energy speakout, very much appreciated. That must be so tough with your DD, as you say, it’s all so testing in so many ways. I hope the forest provides the insight and clarity you need today.

Elphame I really feel for you too and understand that feeling of being so demoralised. I have such a clear vision of your vibrant teacher energy and I hope this twist of fate brings an opportunity to let that shine somehow (and of course, bring in an income) I know how frustrating/worrying it can be to have plans thwarted like this so I don’t say that flippantly. I’m another one who will be needing to find a new way of making money very soon, difficult times with such lack of certainty. You have my empathy. I hope the gin helped, at least for a while