Any Witches Here? Part 14.

[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 everyone.
Trying to catch up in the summer holidays.
It's a hard time personally.
I am not sure if I've asked this here before, but does anyone here practice Buddhism?
I am feeling my way along my path, and grief is taking me back to my original path of yoga and Buddhism. I feel these are very much a part of me, and feel very pure and simple.
At a time when I've been questioning everything, and I mean everything, this simplicity is what I need.

Hello everyone.

I hope it's okay if I take a seat here?

I've been following these threads for a while (I get amazing energy from them) and I've finally plucked up the courage to get involved.

I'm rather new to all of this, but I feel a strong calling to it all.

Welcome @ThreeWitches that's great that's you've plucked up that courage. It's a welcoming bunch of witches here.

Except me. I am a grumpy arse with issues.

I would like to take exception to you all and your talk about fizzing air...
Lighting hit a building next to mine today. Sounded like a bomb, shook the entire building and i can still feel the energy transfer craziness now many hours after the event. I know you lot said you could feel magic in the air. But THAT was not what i thought y'all were talking about dammit
The energy and power of nature is forceful sometimes. and that was one hella forceful!

also yes to feeling the magic. some days really hum to that tune. it really lifts the spirits

Sorry I have no advice or help on the issue of Buddism Spiritwriter.

Although thinking about it. Nature has been pretty forceful for me the last few days. from massive birds of prey taking off from fences as i pass, to emergency stops, to sitting on hills watching the stars and planets (saturn and jupiter), to sitting on a hills surrounded by low cloud dancing around me, to the thunderstorm.

I have been spoilt with the grace, beauty and power that is nature.

ThreeWitches

A warm welcome, glad you have posted. Make yourself comfortable, always tea in the pot. I look forward to getting to know you.

Thank you very much everyone

Welcome @ThreeWitches

I have started to feel the change of seasons over the last few week, but today I really noticed it. The wind and the air felt different, the autumn feeling of apprehension and hope is on its way.

The storm broke here today, just as I was tidying mini totos bedroom. It felt symbolic as i moved out the last of her babyhood items and now it is the room of a little girl.

I fancy a brew of butter mint tea, anyone else fancy one?

Yes I can feel the move too Toto, but autumn is my favourite season, full of pumpkins and a time when spookiness is quite acceptable!
Seeing children move on is bittersweet isn't it, full of goodbyes and new beginnings.
I still can't listen to that song "Slipping through my Fingers" from Mamma Mia without bawling!!
Generally I am upbeat about these processes, but they take some stamina! My youngest is 21, so I have been though a fair number of transitions- some harder than others.
Spiritwriter not a Buddhist here either I’m afraid, I do appreciate some of the aspects of the religion, but not inclined to swallow the whole meal. I am more of an eclectic witch, and an atheist, everything is checked at my personal value gateposts for determination! Doesn’t stop me working with deity though!
Quite a few of us practice yoga though, all part of a rich tapestry.
I am winding down work today for the weekend, as two family members have birthdays on Saturday, DD is coming over tomorrow after work to spend the night, has been living on ready meals and takeaways all week. I have to do birthday and food shopping, so I need some time off to do that.
Just ordered myself some gochagaru to make this recipe- thekoreanvegan.com/spicy-crunchy-garlic-tofu-kkampoong-tofu/
It looks amazing.
Off for a quick shower, then start work, my yoga class is later today, so I just need a 10 minute flow this morning to coax the sleep out of my bones .
Have a day of enchantment everyone.

Welcome @ThreeWitches! This really is a hub of wonderful energy!
@HillsBesideTheSea - wow, such elemental experiences! It's things like this that make my spirit soar.

Didn't get much of a storm - a few rumbles of thunder and a couple of downpours. Today is a bit brighter, so I've pegged the laundry out to catch the unexpected winds and capture the changing atmosphere.

Love to all, hope you all get the weather you want/need!

Flying by but just wanted to say what wonderful energy is here. Yes to the crackle in the air!

A warm welcome from me too ThreeWitches

speakout that tofu looks amazing! Thank you for sharing, I’d been looking for new tofu recipes myself. I hope your family birthdays and weekend are full of magic.

Loving all this elemental energy on the thread

Love to all for a magical afternoon

Welcome @ThreeWitches, I’m new too.

Last night I dreamt of puffins. They were acting like regular sparrows or blackbirds. Quite odd. Just like the badger they were on a patch of lawn but seen from a different angle so I don’t know if it’s the same place. Then today I read one of my busy WhatsApp chats and friends are all talking about… puffins!

Having a stressed out few days but - this morning I was visited by a magpie holding a white feather. I am fairly sure he was actually at my bedroom window and not a figment of my imagination, because the tapping was annoying and stopping me going back to sleep, so I got up and was face to face with him. He tapped again and flew away. I have no clue what it means, but thought you lovely ladies might have insights!

Beach day yday which was lovely but the storm and the weather have upset my already rammed August because now I have to reschedule two client sessions we couldn't do this week - and there is no time and I am feeling very antsy. Cried over my calendar till 3am and then both cats threw up this morning and are both refusing their very expensive prescription food which is meant to stop them from throwing up so not feeling brilliant today either 🤦🏻‍♀️

I think it's a day for a soothing cuppa, my calmest crystals and doing things one at a time.

Here is some wild sea magic from yesterday for you all - sorry I'm a grumpy contributor at the moment!

Sorry to hear you are feeling stressed right now hilariousnamehere, but a great idea to seek out the ocean to calm your feelings.
Emotions do ebb and flow don't they, even all within one day sometimes. I hope some of your self soothings methods bring you some peace.
Having a day of housework today, but allowing myself plenty rest between tasks.
Overcast and muggy here, I have just washed all the hard flooring downstairs, but it is taking an age to dry, even with extractor fans on, windows and doors open. It is so humid.
I have been calming myself with some youtube videos- a witchy one I have not watched before- Alwyn Oak. Perhaps some of you have watched her- very soothing.
www.youtube.com/c/AlwynOak

Hi @ThreeWitches welcome. I’ve learned quite a bit about Buddhism but tbh it doesn’t speak to me personally as much as magick does but one of my friends really clicks with it. I do practice yoga though, if find the connection between movement and breathing so beautiful and grounding. What draws you to Buddhism?

Hope everyone is well.

@FilledSoda sorry it’s taken ages to get back, it’s been one of those weeks. I’ve started to do the middle pillar exercise and quabalistic cross. I’ve found the LBRP really complex though so need much more practice. Which rituals have you been trying? I can only really do them when my family are out due to the set up at home.

I really likeTolle too.

I’m currently reading the middle pillar by Israel regardie (he was briefly Crowley’s secretary). I really like rudolf Steiner. There’s a great you tube channel called foolish gosh that’s easy to follow and another called the nemotron that’s v informative.

What draws you to magick?

Foolish fish not gosh lol

Another damp day here, my garden is drinking in the moisture, the wheel is certainy turning, I was thinking about bringing out some autumn decorations- a little soon though, I reminded myself that today is still july, and a lesson to bide my time an appreciate the moment.
A week of intense yoga, practice every day, four classes this week and off to body pump this morning. It's a shorter class, so not the full hour, two family birthdays, so OH will drive me to pump and nip to Lidl to get a basket full of rolls and pastries, orange juice for breakfast while I am at the gym.
I have noticed lots of wild elderberrries around me at the moment, not ripe yet, but I am tempted to make some elderberry liquour for christmas.
Elder makes amazing wands too if anyone likes a craft project.
The venerable Elder tree is associated with the Crone, the death phase, and the Faery realms. She is a keeper of some of the oldest and deepest magick. Working with an Elder wand requires patience and courage, but it will reward the true seeker with transformative wisdom. Magickal properties of Elder include healing, banishing, and underworld journeying.
I have made a number of elder wands in the past- extremely easy and deeply satisfying! No special tools required
For anyone who enjoys a long straight wand - the wood is light and easy to find pieces that are 3 foot in length, great for ceremonies or anyone who enjoys a theatrical touch in their craft. You can make them to any length- I prefer around 12 inches.
I remove the bark with a potato peeler- do this right after picking as the bark is green and soft, it is a very satisfying peel! The wood underneath is soft and a little damp, so needs to be dried for a few days before smoothing with sandpaper.
Then you can stain, adorn, paint, add decorations, a simple tightly bound wrapped twine handle works, but you could use leather, fabric, add crystals, sigils, polymer clay features, feathers, any type of adornments to make it personal to you. Even if you don’t use a wand in your craft makes a great decorative or altar piece. Great fun for a wet day, and one that children would love too.
I will be out for a forage tomorrow!
Sending lots of playful magical energy sisters.

I had a Facebook memory today that said I had gone into the garden and could smell and feel Autumn in the air. And I have had this same feeling the last few days too.
My birthday is in August and I always felt I was a summer child but increasingly the month feels like the pre-lude to Autumn rather than being firmly rooted in Summer.

I came out of Covid isolation yesterday and had a brief trip out to run errands. I feel very torn at the moment. I absolutely crave the in person company of likeminded souls but where I used to love just being around all people I couldn't wait to get home!
I feel like a snowglobe that has been all shook up and I am waiting for the snow to settle.

*I always felt I was a summer child but increasingly the month feels like the pre-lude to Autumn rather than being firmly rooted in Summer.
*

I wonder if that is because we become more attuned with increasing years?
I know children are sensitive little creatures but time is a hard concept to grasp! As we get older we notice small changes, longer shadows, different smells and colours and equate them to clocks, seasons, turning wheels. Our perceptions become refined as we take time to notice the tiny aspects of life.
Although we still have weeks of summer left these transitions are gradual as the cycle turns.

@speakout

Another damp day here, my garden is drinking in the moisture, the wheel is certainy turning, I was thinking about bringing out some autumn decorations- a little soon though, I reminded myself that today is still july, and a lesson to bide my time an appreciate the moment. A week of intense yoga, practice every day, four classes this week and off to body pump this morning. It's a shorter class, so not the full hour, two family birthdays, so OH will drive me to pump and nip to Lidl to get a basket full of rolls and pastries, orange juice for breakfast while I am at the gym. I have noticed lots of wild elderberrries around me at the moment, not ripe yet, but I am tempted to make some elderberry liquour for christmas. Elder makes amazing wands too if anyone likes a craft project. The venerable Elder tree is associated with the Crone, the death phase, and the Faery realms. She is a keeper of some of the oldest and deepest magick. Working with an Elder wand requires patience and courage, but it will reward the true seeker with transformative wisdom. Magickal properties of Elder include healing, banishing, and underworld journeying. I have made a number of elder wands in the past- extremely easy and deeply satisfying! No special tools required For anyone who enjoys a long straight wand - the wood is light and easy to find pieces that are 3 foot in length, great for ceremonies or anyone who enjoys a theatrical touch in their craft. You can make them to any length- I prefer around 12 inches. I remove the bark with a potato peeler- do this right after picking as the bark is green and soft, it is a very satisfying peel! The wood underneath is soft and a little damp, so needs to be dried for a few days before smoothing with sandpaper. Then you can stain, adorn, paint, add decorations, a simple tightly bound wrapped twine handle works, but you could use leather, fabric, add crystals, sigils, polymer clay features, feathers, any type of adornments to make it personal to you. Even if you don’t use a wand in your craft makes a great decorative or altar piece. Great fun for a wet day, and one that children would love too. I will be out for a forage tomorrow! Sending lots of playful magical energy sisters.

Thank you for all that information, I am certainly going to have a go at that.

@queenrollo glad to hear you’re out and about hope you’re feeling well now. I’ve never been great in crowds but since the pandemic I’ve found being round lots of people had really drained my energy. I think so many people have had a tough time there are lots of unconscious energy vampires out there and if you are good at generating and carrying that energy then you become a target. I’m going to really work on sealing my aura.

I love the wand talk, I made magic wands with mini toto a while back. We picked the sticks from my grandmothers garden. They were made because mini toto made up a story about the tooth fairy being stuck in a spiders web, we needed to use the wands to free her.

No rituals etc on this occasion, but the magic of encouraging a young imagination.

I am definitely feeling the introduction to Autumn at the moment, I always say that it is a time of apprehension and hope. I love it, I always feel like it's is an ancestral throwback of hoping for a bumper crop as harvest approaches.

I was just thinking this morning that there's a hint of Autumn in the air. When I was walking my dog, I noticed that the bushes are suddenly full of green blackberries, in a couple of weeks those will be ripe. The fields are full of ripe corn, gently swaying in the breeze, getting ready to be harvested.

Autumn has always been my favourite season. At school, I used to love the harvest festival. I used to take in fresh produce grown in my grandparents garden.

I'm going to a birthday party tonight, I'm so looking forward to celebrating with friends after all this time. I've even had my nails done - yellow with sunflowers, a nod to Lughanasadah 🌻

I tried to post a picture of my nails but it didn't work for some reason. Tech fairy must be at play again!

I'm loving the wand talk too. I used to make wands as a child, you've inspired me to make myself one 💫

VioletCharlotte I can see your sun yellow nails in my minds eye. Summery, honey, golden yellow. Perfect!

So i tried to explain how i use energy manipulation to help regulate my body temp to be warmer than it should in cold situations. Guess how well that went

Queenrollo Sorry you found it stressful.

I am of the camp that this is still very much summer. the weather may be more autumnal but we have not had a proper summer and there is still a lot of what makes summer summer about. 2 years ago we were suffering severe flooding in this region and yet we went on to have more summer later in August.
I am still slightly meh about the lack of well dressings this year. I totally understand why from a safety position it was totally impossible. By they are so much part of how i mark the year passing that it feels very odd for them to not be there.

Scarecrow festivals are about atm but again they are not the same as normal and it just feels a little off/ not quite right with the world.